TORRANCE, CA. (March 16, 2022) — The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) is pleased to announce a new partnership with Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute (CSKJI), a world leader in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of sports-related injuries and illnesses that focuses on a holistic approach to player health. From injury prevention to mental health, CSKJI is committed to educating both AYSO players and volunteers.
“AYSO is beyond excited to partner and work with Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute. As renowned experts in the field of sports medicine and player health, we believe their commitment to both player and volunteer, will be an invaluable resource for our members,” shared Matt Winegar, Interim Executive Director, AYSO. “We know that together we can help strengthen our training and continue to enrich the lives of families for generations to come.”
AYSO has made it an intentional focus to partner with organizations whose missions and values align with the organization. With a shared mission for enhancing families’ lives through the game of sport.
“Soccer is a beautiful, significant and impactful game and we are extremely excited about our ongoing and future relationship with AYSO,” said Bert Mandelbaum, MD, Co-Chair of Medical Affairs at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute and Medical Director for the FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence and team physician for the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team. “We are a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence that wants to drive together relationships that create harmony between players, volunteers, leaders and parents that focus on soccer being a health enhancing activity.”
As an Official Medical Health Resource and Sports Medicine Support partner, CSKJI will review and offer recommendations on medical information contained in AYSO’s trainings, coaching manuals, parent resources and wellness certifications. In addition, CSKJI will create and offer live webinars, workshops and newsletter periodical content that cover injury prevention, proper training, nutrition and hydration, mental health and more over the next three years.
“Community programs that address injury prevention education were very important to our founders, Drs. Robert Kerlan and Frank Jobe,” said Ralph Gambardella, MD, orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute. “Through this new partnership we will continue to live out their legacy by sharing our years of expertise in the field of sports medicine dating back to our community benefit programs that connect with underserved communities and our on-field medical support with professional soccer teams.”
A rollout of new webinars and trainings will be announced at a later date.
About AYSO
Established in 1964, AYSO is a national nonprofit organization that develops and delivers quality youth soccer programs, which promote a fun, family environment based on AYSO’s Six Philosophies: Everyone Plays®, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship, and Player Development. Today, AYSO has 1.6 million players, parents, siblings and volunteers. For more information, visit www.AYSO.org.
About Cedars Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute
Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute is a world leader in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of sports-related injuries and illnesses. As members of the sports division of the Cedars-Sinai Department of Orthopaedics, institute physicians provide comprehensive care for a broad range of orthopaedic conditions. Patients benefit from world-renowned experts in multi-specialty orthopaedics and the physicians who take care of professional athletes are the same ones who treat you. For more information, or make an appointment, visit www.kerlanjobe.org.
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Media Contact:
Yvonne Lara, AYSO
