Wissahickon Resident and Athletic Trainer Nicole Edling of Aspire Sports Medicine Volunteers Professional Skills for the Third Year for Charity

In the full-contact sport of rugby, even the friendliest match presents real possibilities for bloodied noses, elbows and knees, twisted joints, bumps and bruises. And Wissahickon resident and licensed athletic trainer Nicole Edling MS, ATC-L, owner of Aspire Sports Medicine in Warwick, PA will be fully prepared for everything that comes with the territory when she packs her kits to support the 6th Annual “Apple Pie” 7s Rugby Tournament to be played in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park on Friday, November 28. Edling is volunteering her invaluable professional expertise for the third year in a row at a tournament that attracts over 200 players from the greater Delaware Valley and raises money for water safety scholarships in Philadelphia.

“We joke that when we pack for a rugby match, it’s like we’re expecting a battle scene. But I like to go in 110% prepared, and we have all kinds of bandages, slings and splints, ice-packs, even crutches and nose-plugs for those bloody noses,” explains Edling with a laugh. “Seriously, though, our whole business is about keeping people healthy and safe. And that’s also why I volunteer for the ‘Apple Pie’ 7s tournament. The charity raises money for water safety classes that are taught at the Kroc Community Center in my neighborhood. That goal is exactly aligned with my business mission, which promotes enjoying sports in ways that are healthy and safe.”

Aspire Sports Medicine has a team of thirteen, serving field-side for sports programs throughout eastern Pennsylvania. That’s how Edling first met Coach Bill Gregory, who had established a rugby tournament to raise funds to support The Josias A. Sterling Aquatic Education Program. Gregory is also the head rugby coach at University of Scranton --- a school that engages Aspire’s licensed trainers for its club teams. When Gregory asked Edling if she could donate her services for a worthy cause, she gladly accepted. She first volunteered for the fourth annual tournament in 2012, and experienced an atmosphere of positive energy, warmth and camaraderie.

“The ‘Apple Pie’ 7s is a very loose and relaxed event, with a great spirit. So that makes it fun to participate for me. I am happy to donate my professional services a couple of times a year to really worthy causes like this one. But that first year, I also met the mother of the young man who is the inspiration for this tournament, Josias Sterling. Hearing her family’s story is what keeps me coming back.”

The tournament was established in memory of an inspirational local rugby player. Josias Sterling of Olney, a well-loved 19-year old Temple University student, became caught in a riptide in Ocean City in the summer of 2009. Despite being physically strong and merely walking in knee-deep water, he was pulled out with the current and tragically lost his life. He had never learned to swim.

The Delaware Valley rugby community immediately banded together to honor one of their own and to try to prevent similar tragedies. Beginning with the first fundraising rugby tournament held in November of 2009, a charitable fund was established to teach water safety in Sterling’s memory. The “Apple Pie” 7s is now the principal fundraiser for The Josias A. Sterling Aquatic Education Program at the Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center of the Salvation Army in North Philadelphia. To date, close to 300 individuals have received scholarships for water safety training since the tournament began.

The tournament is entirely staffed by volunteers, including the game referees and two teams of medical trainers. Edling has a busy day ahead of her, as she is on call to assist with any injuries that may occur on three rugby pitches at the Edgeley fields in Philadelphia’s East Fairmount Park during a three-hour event. Rugby 7s competition is an exciting and fast-paced “short game” with just seven players per side, and will be featured in the 2016 Olympic games in Rio.

“It’s very gratifying to be surrounded by our colleagues in the rugby community who understand why this tournament is really a worthwhile place to donate our time and expertise,” Edling added. “I’m glad to be coming back.”

Aspire Sports Medicine, located in Bucks County and owned by Nicole Edling MS, BS, ATC-L, CPT, can be reached at aspireats.com. To learn more about the Josias A. Sterling Aquatic Education Program, or to make a contribution to the charitable memorial fund in his memory please visit: www.josiassterling.org The Josias A. Sterling Memorial Fund, a 501.c.3, is established as a division of CHARITYSMITH non-profit foundation. charitysmith.org EIN: 87-0636433