Olentangy Youth Athletic Association (OYAA) has entered into a partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine to provide sports medicine services and health and wellness education to student athletes. Both organizations strive to provide a safe and healthy experience for youth participating in sports and to enhance the quality of life for Olentangy residents participating in recreational programs.
Olentangy Youth Athletic Association is a nonprofit organization that connects the youth of Olentangy to sports. Nearly 12,000 kids throughout Olentangy school district participate in the OYAA in ten different sports: basketball, golf, soccer, baseball, lacrosse, junior drill team, softball, football, volleyball, and fencing.
OYAA Executive Director, Elaine Eddy says, “This opportunity for OYAA to partner with Nationwide Children's Hospital Sports Medicine is a game changer. To establish a direct relationship with one of the premier pediatric hospitals in the U.S. is invaluable and clearly indicates the importance OYAA stresses on the health care and well-being of our young athletes."
Services to be provided by Nationwide Children’s Sports Medicine include medical services, concussion services, educational services, risk management and sports performance services with the experts from Nationwide Children’s. The entire team of experts will deliver cutting-edge and comprehensive sports medicine services, resources and education to the OYAA, including their participants and community.
“We are extremely excited about our partnership with the Olentangy Youth Athletic Association,” said Lisa Kluchurosky, service line administrator for Sports Medicine at Nationwide Children’s. “It is important to us to do all we can to keep kids safe and injury free and playing the sports they love. Outreach into the communities in which we serve to keep kids well and active is an important part of our mission.”
Nationwide Children’s also partners with more than a dozen other central Ohio high schools, as well as Ohio Dominican University in providing comprehensive sports medicine services.
About Nationwide Children’s Sports Medicine
Nationwide Children’s Sports Medicine includes a staff of physicians, orthopedic surgeons, athletic trainers and physical therapists who are all trained to provide age-appropriate patient care to recreational, competitive and elite athletes. In addition to treatment, Nationwide Children’s offers a comprehensive program focused on research, education, injury prevention, strength and conditioning, and wellness.