North Strabane to Host Injury-Prevention Clinic Wednesday

’s newly unveiled will be home tomorrow to one of four sports injury clinics in the country.

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds Professional Soccer Club and Century United of Pittsburgh Football Club will host the DePuy Mitek Sports Injury Prevention clinic from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at North Strabane Township Sports Complex.

Heather Mitts, 2012 gold medalist on the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team, will be in attendance at the clinic.

In preparation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, DePuy Mitek, the official medical provider of the tournament, is sponsoring 16 clinics around the world aimed at educating young athletes, parents, trainers, and coaches on how to prevent sports-related injuries in the game of soccer.

North Strabane’s is one of only four clinics being held in the United States, North Strabane Parks and Recreation Director Greg Sulc said in a statement Tuesday.

“We were certainly honored when the MLS and DePuy Mitek reached out to us in order to bring such a positive program for young soccer players to Pittsburgh,” said Jason Kutney, chief executive officer of the Riverhounds. “The health, safety, and development of youth soccer players is our priority and together with Century United and North Strabane Township, we can help educate these athletes, parents, trainers and coaches on how to properly prepare for the game.”

The two-hour clinic is based off Mitek’s “11+,” a complete warm-up program aimed at reducing injuries among male and female soccer players ages 12 years and older.

The clinic will consist of an introduction to the participating physicians and the program, followed by athlete participation in the “11+” warm-up exercises. Athletes will then participate in small, age-ranked scrimmages.

While the athletes take part in the exercises, parents, coaches, and trainers will have the opportunity to follow the program on SONY tablets.

The clinic will conclude with an afterparty that includes refreshments, giveaways, and games. At this time, participants will have a chance to meet Mitts for an interview and autograph session.

Keith James, anchor and reporter for KDKA Newstalk Radio, will be the emcee for the clinic.

Dr. Sam Akhavan of West Penn Allegheny Health System, a corporate sponsor of the

Pittsburgh Riverhounds and the new Highmark Stadium, will be lead physician at the clinic.

“This is a classic example of a partnership we have created not only for the Strabane

Township residents, but all the townships in the surrounding area,” Sulc said. “The township has invested millions of dollars toward a facility that can offer this type of clinic. We look forward to working closely with the Riverhounds and Century United to offer more clinics of this caliber in the future.”