VATA Leadership Academy

The Virginia Athletic Trainers’ Association (VATA) Leadership Academy was started as an initiative, lead by the VATA, to engage professionally motivated and enthusiastic certified athletic trainers, licensed in the state of Virginia, with a desire to improve their knowledge, skills, and abilities for leadership with an interest in advancing the athletic training profession. This program is designed for athletic trainers who have a desire to serve the VATA, Mid-Atlantic Athletic Trainers’ Association, and National Athletic Trainers’ Association, and make a difference in their community. Participants are presented with a curriculum that provides for their development as a leader in athletic training. The inaugural cohort began in July 2019.​

Participants

Participants in the VATA Leadership Academy will have the opportunity to interact with athletic trainers throughout the state to further their development and preparation as leaders. There will be regularly scheduled online meetings that will occur 1-2 times a month (about 1 hour), from March to December, occurring on Sunday evenings with a curriculum that will cover components of leadership in areas that address personal growth and skill development. The number of participants is limited. If you are interested in becoming a participant in the VATA Leadership Academy, please complete the application. The deadline for applications is Friday, March 1, 2024, at 11:59 pm. Applicants will be notified of their admittance to the program in early March. Questions can be directed to [email protected].

Example Topical Outline (2019-2020)

  • Identity
  • Leadership
  • Models
  • Mentors
  • Reflection
  • Practice
  • Gratitude
  • Resolution
  • Transactional and Transformational Relationships
  • Motivation and Inspiration
  • National Athletic Training Month
  • Accountability and Responsibility
  • Debriefing and Reflection
  • Trust
  • Characteristics of a Leader

  • Delegation and Collaboration

Testimonials

“The VATA Leadership Academy will help you develop personally and professionally into a better leader. It doesn’t matter what your age is or how much leadership experience you have the VATA Leadership Academy will enhance your soft skills.”

  • Matthew J. Gage, PhD, LAT, ATC

“The VATA Leadership academy has affected me and the way I practice athletic training. I have been rewarded beyond measure by the profession of athletic training and I so want to give back. The interactions within the Leadership Academy have given me different perspectives on the professional organization, which in turn has changed the way I interact with my patients, student athletic trainers, and other professionals.”

  • Paul G. Rupp, MS, LAT, ATC

“If you have wanted to give back to the athletic training profession but have had difficulty getting connected with other ATs in Virginia then the VATA Leadership Academy is for you. It will provide you with a network of ATs that want to learn together and make a difference in the profession.”

  • Matthew J. Gage, PhD, LAT, ATC

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