The first Sports Medicine Coaches and Athletic Trainers Conference will be held from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at Riverside Walter Reed Hospital, Gloucester.

Spokesman Angela Healy said Monday that the hospital intends for this to be an annual event. The theme for this year’s conference is "Athletes Get Stronger, Play Longer—A Winning Combination."

Healy said the program is aimed at providing professional advice to coaches of all sports and levels (including local schools and parks and recreation leagues), physical education teachers and athletic trainers. Admission is free.

The conference will include topics including sports medicine, knee injuries, concussions, nutrition and hydration, and movement preparation. Speakers will include Barbaro Perez, M.D., of Riverside Gloucester Center for Orthopedic Surgery; Hugh Bryan III, M.D., Riverside York River Orthopedics and Sports Medicine; Lauren Giddings, registered dietitian at Walter Reed, and Sean Schwarting, physical therapy director at Walter Reed.

Walter Reed has arranged for its adjacent sister facility, Riverside Wellness and Fitness Center—Middle Peninsula, to allow family members of those attending the conference to use the center from 2-5 that afternoon at no charge.

Continuing education credit will be awarded for those attending the conference. To register, call 693-8810 or e-mail ashley.brooks@rivhs.com.

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