New England Revolution and Spaulding Rehab Keep Local Players in Shape

Danvers- As the outdoor soccer season is in full swing over 100 local youth players recently had a chance to hone their skills under the direction of the pros from the New England Revolution Academy and learn injury prevention information from the experts at the nearby Spaulding Rehabilitation Network Outpatient Centers in Salem, Middleton, Lynn, Marblehead YMCA, Marblehead JCC, Peabody, and Cape Ann.  This free clinic offered in partnership by Spaulding and the New England Revolution was held at Route 1 Sports Plex in Danvers and gave players aged 7-14, coaches and parents the opportunities to learn valuable information from passing drills to the important stretching techniques, signs of concussions, and the treatment and prevention of orthopedic injuries.

Participants were led by New England Revolution Academy coaches through various skills stations that challenged players’ speed and agility, ball control, shooting, and quick play-making decisions.  Expert therapists from Spaulding trained players with the same methods used to prepare the New England Revolution for their long and demanding season. Players, coaches and parents were able to hear from Spaulding therapists about the latest information concerning concussions and orthopedic injuries.

“Spaulding and the Revolution Academy are excited to offer this clinic free to area youth soccer players. We want parents and coaches to have the knowledge of common injuries and how their athletes can avoid them, said Derek Milone, Physical Therapist, Spaulding Outpatient Center Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA. Our goal is to educate local soccer players and coaches about common injuries so they make decisions that are beneficial for the athlete, because minor injuries can develop into serious injuries.”

“It’s wonderful to work with great partners like Spaulding and to have the opportunity to give players a taste of the types of skills we help develop at our Revolution Academy Clinics. It’s always gratifying to see players sharpen their skills and learn how to avoid injuries so they enjoy the game more, “said Deven Apajee, Revolution Academy Director.

The Danvers soccer clinic begins a series where over 300 youth soccer players from Cape Ann to Cape Cod will participate in two more regional clinics. The clinics give attendees the tools to not only improve their soccer skills but also educated them on topics ranging from stretching, injury prevention, and nutrition, to the facts on sports concussions, and injuries from overuse. In addition, parents and coaches are able to learn about the many adolescent sports services offered throughout the Spaulding Rehabilitation Network Outpatient sites. Spaulding is the official rehabilitation hospital of the New England Revolution.

About the Spaulding Rehabilitation Network

A member of Partners Healthcare, The Spaulding Rehabilitation Network includes Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital its main campus, a 196-bed facility, located in Boston, as well as Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod, two long term care facilities Spaulding Hospital Cambridge and Spaulding Hospital North Shore and two skilled nursing facilities, as well as twenty-three outpatient sites throughout the Greater Boston area. Spaulding is a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School as well as the official rehabilitation hospital in New England continually ranked since 1995 by U.S. News and World Report in its Best Hospitals survey with a #5 ranking in 2011. For more information, please visit www.spauldingrehab.org.