Granada Hills Charter High School Cheerleading Program Receives National Safety Award of Excellence

April 19, 2011 - PRLog -- April 19, 2011North Hollywood, CA - The National Cheer Safety Foundation has awarded the Granada Hills Charter High School cheerleading program the prestigious National Safety Award of Excellence for their commitment and dedication to cheerleading safety during the 2010-2011 school year.

In order to be selected for this distinguished award a program must meet the following minimum requirements, as well as go above and beyond these minimum standards to promote safety in an extraordinary way.

•   Experienced, qualified coach with CPR, first aid training and a background check
•   Rehearsed emergency plan with access to an AED
•   Heat illness prevention
•   Head injury prevention and return to play guidelines
•   Stunts taught by technique, not “trial and error” and proper spotting
•   Attend indoor camp on mats with certified athletic trainers
•   Required pre-participation physical

“The Granada Hills Charter High School cheerleading program not only met the minimum qualifications established by our cheer safety experts, but also went beyond the call of duty to speak out in the media on safety in cheerleading to help educate the public and bring awareness to preventing injuries,” shares Krista Parks-Robinson, NCSF executive director. “We are proud to select them as the first team to receive this award.”

The team was interviewed several times throughout the year regarding cheerleading safety, which contributed to relevant news stories that aired on Good Day LA and KTLA. The award was presented at the annual year end banquet at Knollwood Country Club in Granada Hills on April 14, 2011 by NCSF founder Kimberly Archie.

“When it comes to cheerleading, safety has to be the number one priority. As a team we work consistently on correct technique and trusting one another to perform our stunts perfectly. To be recognized for taking safety in cheerleading so seriously is an honor for our program,” responded David Kirschner, cheer coach for Granada Hills Charter High School when he heard they won the award.

The award is given out on a case by case basis to individuals or programs that are “bright spots” in the crusade for safety in cheerleading. The only other recipient was cheer coach Jen Combest, whose quick efforts helped save the life of 17 year old cheerleader Katie Martin.

The National Cheer Safety Foundation a volunteer organization founded by parents, operated by former cheerleaders and backed by the Cheer Safety Experts™ is dedicated to injecting science into cheer safety to reduce injury, disability and death from cheer injuries through research and education of parents, cheerleaders, coaches, gym owners and administrators. To report your injuries go to www.cheerinjuryreport.com and to find out more information about safety or grants go to www.nationalcheersafety.com or call 1-800-596-7860.

Media Contact – Christi Poole media@nationalcheersafety.com 1-800-596-7860