Youth sports help young people build confidence, resilience, and lifelong friendships. But when injuries happen—especially head injuries—access to the right care can make all the difference in a student athlete’s recovery and future well-being.
This March, Members First Credit Union is proud to recognize Safe Sports Network as our Illuminating Change Beacon Partner. The organization works across Greater Manchester and surrounding communities to ensure student athletes receive expert sports medicine care so they can recover safely and return to the activities they love.
The partnership comes at an especially meaningful time. March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, a national effort to raise awareness about the risks of head injuries and the importance of proper treatment and prevention.
Access to Care for Student Athletes
Safe Sports Network provides sports medicine services directly to student athletes, helping ensure that injuries are properly evaluated, treated, and managed regardless of a family’s financial circumstances.
Through on-site athletic trainers, injury clinics, and education for coaches and families, the organization helps young athletes get the care they need quickly so injuries today don’t become long-term health challenges tomorrow.
Their work also removes barriers for families who might otherwise struggle to access specialized sports medicine care.
A Significant Impact Across Greater Manchester
The impact of Safe Sports Network reaches thousands of student athletes each year.
In 2025 alone, the organization:
- Provided 10,000 hours of on-site medical coverage across seven high schools
- Managed 1,100 injuries and delivered more than 26,000 treatments
- Delivered nearly $1 million in free healthcare services to local families
Safe Sports Network’s Youth Sports Injury Clinic also expanded care beyond high school athletics, serving nearly 30 youth clubs and organizations and coordinating more than 1,000 hours of sideline medical coverage.
These services ensure that young athletes from youth leagues through high school have access to knowledgeable professionals who can guide their recovery safely.
Raising Awareness About Brain Injuries
Brain injuries and concussions remain a serious concern in youth athletics. Without proper evaluation and treatment, these injuries can carry long-term consequences affecting a student’s ability to learn, work, and participate fully in life.
Safe Sports Network plays a critical role in concussion prevention and care.
In 2025, the organization:
- Administered more than 1,500 baseline concussion tests
- Conducted over 1,200 post-injury evaluations
- Managed 100 concussions
- Saved families approximately $80,000 in related healthcare costs
By identifying injuries early and guiding athletes through proper recovery protocols, Safe Sports Network helps ensure students return to play only when it is safe to do so.
Preparing Communities for Emergencies
Safe Sports Network also helps schools and sports organizations prepare for medical emergencies.
In 2025, the organization:
- Created 100 venue-specific emergency action plans for athletic facilities
- Conducted “Drop the Dummy” emergency drills with more than 200 teams
- Certified 200+ coaches, students, and community members in CPR/AED
These efforts are especially important because sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in young athletes, and immediate response can dramatically improve survival outcomes.
Supporting Families and Student Athletes
Beyond the numbers, Safe Sports Network’s impact is felt deeply by families and student athletes throughout the community.
One parent shared:
“I can't thank our Safe Sports athletic trainer enough. She has built an incredible, trusting relationship with all three of my children. She's cared for and guided them through sprains, strains, knee pain, and multiple safe concussion recoveries. It's hard to fully capture the impact she's had on our entire family.”
Another parent described the reassurance that comes with having trained professionals on the sidelines:
“My SSN AT was on site for my son's injury and immediately sprang into action. That's what SSN is to me—an extra safety precaution, watching my kids and putting their safety and interests ahead of everything else.”
Former student ambassadors and volunteers also carry their experience forward.
“I feel so proud and happy to give back to the organization that helped me grow the most in high school and formed me into the person I am today.”
Connecting Health and Financial Well-Being
Proper injury care protects athletes’ physical health and also protects families from unexpected financial burdens.
Untreated injuries, especially head injuries, can lead to long-term medical costs, lost opportunities, and challenges that follow students into adulthood. By ensuring athletes receive timely treatment and expert guidance, Safe Sports Network helps prevent those downstream impacts.
That mission aligns closely with Members First Credit Union’s commitment to supporting the health and financial well-being of New Hampshire families.
As part of the Illuminating Change program, Members First provides financial support to Beacon Partners like Safe Sports Network so they can continue expanding access to care for local athletes.
Safe Sports Network shared their appreciation for the partnership:
“Safe Sports Network is deeply grateful for the support of Members First Credit Union and their commitment to strengthening the health and safety of young athletes across our community. By investing in our work, Members First is helping ensure that student-athletes have access to qualified athletic healthcare, timely injury management, and the education needed to stay safe in sport.”
Learn More
Safe Sports Network is helping ensure that student athletes across Greater Manchester and surrounding communities can play, recover, and thrive safely.
To learn more about Safe Sports Network and how you can support their work, visit their website.