Inova Sports Medicine and Great Falls Soccer Club Partner to Bring Personalized Care to Athletes

Washington DC – January 25, 2016 – Inova Sports Medicine and Great Falls Soccer Club (GFSC) are pleased to announce a recently formed relationship for the 2016 season.  GFSC is a youth soccer organization in the Northern Virginia area for athletes from age 3 to 18. The program aims to provide a wholesome, well-organized environment in which to teach soccer skills, teamwork, and good sportsmanship, as well as contribute to the general health and social well-being of all participants.   Inova’s team encompasses a comprehensive network of board-certified, fellowship-trained sports medicine experts specializing in the complete care of athletes of all ages.  The partnership between Inova Sports Medicine and GFSC will deliver cutting edge education, consultation, health services, concussion management and performance training to the Great Falls Soccer community.

Inova aims to further strengthen community ties specifically through the Great Falls Soccer athletes, parents and coaches and has been consistently recognized nationally as a top performing health system.  Inova Sports Medicine serves as the official medical provider for the Washington Nationals and Inova’s team of medical professionals will ensure each family and athlete will have access to the high-level injury prevention, treatment and athletic conditioning services professional athletes traditionally receive.
“We are looking forward to delivering to our members, cutting edge education and awareness of sports injuries, their prevention and care through our partnership with Inova Sports Medicine”  says Commissioner Will Simonds of the Great Falls Soccer Club.

Great Falls Soccer Club focuses on utilizing all available resources in a way that adds value to its members both on and off the field of play.  This relationship grants GFSC athletes priority access to Inova’s one-stop-shop model for sports medicine care.  During the summer of 2015, Inova opened an innovative sports medicine clinic that includes sports medicine fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons and primary care physicians, concussion management services, X-ray, ultrasound-guided diagnosis and treatment, physical therapy and athletic training services all under one roof.  Chris Young, Director of Athletic Training Services and Outreach, notes, “In order to provide the highest level of service we know it is important to also limit the hassle and stress that are often associated with injury.  The all-in-one facility allows for increased efficiency and improved communication between every member of our team and greater consistency of care overall.”

Education and training for coaches, parents and athletes will also be at the forefront of the relationship between Inova Sports Medicine and GFSC.  Inova’s team of world class physicians and sports medicine experts will offer presentations and opportunities tailored to GFSC in an effort to keep its members up-to-date on the exciting, but ever evolving world of sports medicine, concussion management, nutrition, injury prevention, and athletic conditioning.  Commissioner Simonds: “Sports injuries in our youth are more common than ever before.  Knowing that we are equipping our coaches, parents, and members with the most current protocols to ensure player safety and injury prevention is a big step towards providing one of the best soccer programs in the area.”

Inova Sports Medicine and its team of concussion specialists will be assisting GFSC in maintaining compliance with state and local concussion laws, which are centered on yearly education of athletes, parents, and coaches.  Pre-injury assessment is vital for the most positive outcomes and Inova Sports Medicine will be offering baseline concussion testing for GFSC players in an effort to better manage athletes suspected of having a concussion.  GFSC families and coaches will also be given complementary digital access to unique concussion education presentations and other reference materials created by Inova Sports Medicine.  Additionally, Inova Sports Medicine will have a dedicated concussion hotline available to answer questions, provide information and assist with scheduling concussion appointments.

“We are focused on providing a positive athletic experience within our community both on and off the field.  Providing the highest-level of integrative care after injury is important part of this relationship.  However, we also understand the value in providing families with accurate and relevant education before the injury even occurs as well,” said Dr. Robin West, Medical Director of Inova Sports Medicine. “We are excited to be part of innovative collaborations like this and look forward to building a strong relationship in the Great Falls community.”

For more information on the Inova-Great Falls Soccer relationship, please contact Chris Young, Inova Director of Athletic Training Services and Outreach, at 703-970-6463.  Further information about Inova Sports Medicine can be found at www.inova.org/sportsmedicine.  Orthopaedic appointments can be scheduled by contacting 703-970-6464.  Inova Sports Medicine’s concussion hotline can be reached at 703-970-6427.

Media Contact: Tracy Connell, tracy.connell@inova.org

About Great Falls Soccer Club, Inc.
The Great Falls Soccer Club (GFSC) aims to provide a wholesome, well-organized environment in which we teach soccer skills, teamwork, and good sportsmanship. Through both our travel and recreation programs, GFSC welcomes all skill levels to participate and enjoy the beautiful sport of soccer.
For further information about Great Falls Soccer Club please contact Will Simonds, Commissioner, at commissionerGFSC@gmail.com or Krista Gatt, Club Administrator, administratorGFSC@gmail.com or visit www.greatfallssoccer.com to learn more about our programs.

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