‘Playing It Safe’ to discuss youth sports safety

NEWARK, NJ — “Playing It Safe,” a discussion panel for Pop Warner football coaches, athletes and parents on how to keep youth sports safe, will be hosted on Saturday, Aug. 27, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, at the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center Gymnasium, 211 West Kinney St., in the Central Ward. The center’s entrance is located on Howard Street. The event is free and open to the public.

The Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center is organizing this program to discuss how coaches and young athletes can prevent concussions and other injuries while playing football and other sports, as well as recover from injuries and return safely to play.

“Too many young Newark athletes suffer needless injuries in football and other sports, and I am proud of how the city and our caring community have come together to help parents, coaches and athletes learn how they can be prevented. I urge our young athletes, parents and coaches attend this discussion, so that they can learn how to play safely,” said Mayor Ras J. Baraka.

Registration will begin at 10:30 a.m. The discussion will be from 11 a.m. to noon. The speakers will include Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes Program Director Diana Tot.

  Mayor Ras Baraka, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Pop Warner football