Every June, the Canadian Athletic Therapy Association (CATA) celebrates Athletic Therapy Month – an occasion that recognizes the prominence of Athletic Therapy in the lives of Canadians, and the importance of the growth and continued success of our profession. This year, our theme is “Then, Now, Always,” a tribute to the enduring and consistent impact of Athletic Therapy care and the dedicated Certified ATs who deliver it.
It is more than a slogan: it is a celebration of where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are headed. As both a reflection and projection, we are honoured to have such distinct roots and promising growth.
Then: Honouring the Legacy
This year, the Association celebrates sixty years since becoming the certifying and governing body for Certified ATs practicing in Canada. What began as a small, passionate group of trailblazers working with professional hockey and football leagues has grown into the CATA we know today, representing over 3,000 members who treat a diverse range of patients while remaining committed to advocating for education and professional credibility.
We look back on 1965 as a landmark year, marking the beginning of our profession’s enduring perseverance and growing advocacy, efforts that laid the foundation for Athletic Therapy to become a recognized field and respected practice. We also honour the individuals whose contributions shaped the history of our profession and who laid the foundation of our association to get us where we are today.
Now: The Role of ATs today
Since the beginning, Certified ATs and CATA members have stayed true to the core principles of Athletic Therapy, while the profession’s reach has grown significantly. What started on the sidelines of sporting events has expanded into a wide-reaching healthcare discipline that supports individuals from all walks of life.
Today, Certified ATs support a wide range of people to stay strong and mobile, from soccer players to Cirque du Soleil performers to farmers, by assessing and preventing injuries, guiding rehabilitation and reconditioning, and providing emergency and acute care for those managing chronic or temporary pain.
Just as the Association has evolved, the definition of "athlete" has evolved too. It still includes professional players of sport, but also parents chasing toddlers, older adults striving to stay active, and children recovering from injury. Through it all, the foundation of Athletic Therapy remains the same: providing specialized, person-centered care that empowers every body to return to the activities that matter most.
Time and time again, Certified ATs prove that healing is not just about recovery, but about restoring one’s confidence, independence and quality of life.
From the start, the people we serve have been at the heart of our efforts. Certified ATs are committed to continuous learning to provide the highest standard of care. By staying current with research and advancing in practice, we are students, then, now and always. We are dedicated to growing our knowledge so we can better serve the people who depend on us when care is most essential.
Certified ATs are healthcare professionals trained in musculoskeletal anatomy, exercise physiology, biomechanics, and basic emergency care. Their services span injury prevention, assessment, emergency response, rehabilitation and reconditioning, with each plan being personalized to fit the unique needs of every individual they treat.
As professionals in the healthcare system, Certified ATs and the CATA continue working to raise awareness and advocate for Athletic Therapy. After all, everyone deserves the opportunity to unlock their full potential and rediscover what it means to live to their highest performing self. Our Move Freely Live Fully campaign continues to showcase the impact of Athletic Therapy care and engage the public.
Always: For Our Members, For the Profession
Athletic Therapy Month is a time to honour the care that defines us, care that began decades ago and continues to grow stronger with every patient, every treatment, and every success.
Why? Because care goes both ways. This profession is rooted in the foundational knowledge and early expertise of our pioneers, and carried forward by those who work tirelessly to better the quality and scope of practice. Certified ATs deliver care around the clock and across the world, and during Athletic Therapy Month, and every month, we want them to know: we see you, we support you, and we walk beside you then, now, and always.
On behalf of the Canadian Athletic Therapy Association, Happy Athletic Therapy Month! Feel free to share, post and celebrate this momentous occasion alongside us. We want to hear recollections from the past, stories from the present and your hopes for the future. Find us on Instagram at @cata_canada.
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