NATA Beat: Fall 2025 Advocacy Updates
Every day, NATA and the NATA Government Affairs Department are working on behalf of the athletic training profession. With staff members experienced in all aspects of the legislative process, the NATA Government Affairs Department is the sole department focused on advocacy for the profession. NATA’s goal is to ensure that all ATs can work to the fullest extent of their education and skill set.
Reporting Catastrophic Injuries
By: Shelly Jones, ATC
NATA Approves LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee
In September, the NATA Board of Directors approved the creation of the new LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee, which will advocate for LGBTQ+ athletic trainers and patients through research, education and community support.
Football Helmet Infographic Available
Helmet safety was a hot topic in the October NATA News. In addition to the cover story on research being conducted at the University of Southern Mississippi related to football and warfighter helmets, the edition features a new infographic handout on football helmet fitting.
ATs Find Niche in Product Development
The cover story of the October NATA News, our annual Research Issue, examined a $4.9 million research project funded by the Department of Defense and U.S. Army to improve safety for warfighters through advanced liner systems and a better understanding of brain injuries.
GHATS Encourages Hurricane Assistance
After the first quarterly meeting of the Greater Houston Athletic Trainers' Society, President Daniel Young, MAT, ATC, LAT, composed a letter addressing the consequences of Hurricane Harvey. Included in the letter were details on how GHATS is providing assistance and how other athletic trainers can provide (and request) help. Below is an excerpt with this information:
Help ATs Affected by Hurricanes
The Texas State Athletic Trainers' Association has started a relief fund for athletic trainers in Texas affected by Hurricane Harvey with an initial donation of $1,000. Anyone can donate and contributions are being accepted via check or PayPal. Additionally, ATs in Texas who are in need of assistance can specify their areas of need via a form on the website.
Documentation Guidelines Now Available
As athletic trainers continue to gain recognition and credibility in the health care arena, new standards are being placed on those in the profession—one such being documentation.
ATs Affected by Hurricanes
On behalf of the ATs Care CISM peer-support team, I want to reach out to those of you dealing with the ongoing effects of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma to express our concerns for your safety and to let you know that the athletic training community has you in our thoughts and prayers.
Adventures of @LEGO_ATC
This social media sensation experienced his first NATA convention in Houston and sat down with the NATA News all about his memorable experience.
10 for 10: A Timesaving Resource
As part of NCAA requirements and athletic training best practices, athletic trainers in the collegiate setting are tasked with giving educational presentations to their coaching staff and administration on important health and safety issues, such as heat illness, concussions, drug testing and inclement weather.