Ontario Sports & Athletic Therapist Association is an Athletic Therapy Ontario® Registered Trade Name
Who We Are
The official name of the not-for-profit, Ontario-incorporated healthcare profession enterprise is the Sports & Athletic Therapist Association (OSTA), with a legally defined mandate to promote the practice of Athletic Therapists in the Province of Ontario. The OSTA is an independently incorporated, not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the profession in Ontario for over half a century.
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The OSTA endeavors to ensure that its Members offer safe and effective treatment to all of their clients and patients. Continuing education programs, examination preparation courses, professional publications and participation as a member of the Sports Medicine Council of Ontario are examples of the initiatives undertaken by the OSTA.
The OSTA also engages in advocacy, marketing and promotion for the Athletic Therapy profession and provides Member services such as referrals, professional liability insurance and practice development.
"I encourage everybody and challenge everybody to strive towards their goals…. There will be ups and there will be downs, but just keep working towards them and don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do it."
Catriona Le May Doan | 2 time Olympic Gold Medalist | 5 time World Champion
Our Mission
Provide leadership and support to our Member Therapists practising on the front lines of sports medicine. The OSTA represents the profession to the public, governments, third party insurers and other stakeholders. As an active Member with the OSTA, you will have access to valuable educational programs to maximize your business acumen and professional practice competencies.
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Members can leverage a full professional development program that keeps them informed of educational workshops, conferences and courses. Access to resources such as: public education, marketing advice and strategies, opportunity as a student or full member to receive monetary awards. Online job opportunities, directory find, brochures and other materials. Networking opportunities with professional leaders, promotional campaigns, advocacy and collaborative projects which represent you to the government, health care stakeholders, the public, the media and to position our profession within Ontario health care and sports medicine.
Our Vision
The OSTA was created and remains committed to establishing the professional community of well-trained, dedicated therapists practising on the frontline of sport medicine with a legislatively defined scope of practice relevant to the profession's focus on musculoskeletal conditions and first responder training with concussion expertise.
The Role of The OSTA
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Oversee the advancement, encouragement and improvement of the profession.
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Advance the efforts underway to achieve statutory regulation under the Ontario Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) through registration with a RHPA College.
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Raise the profile of the profession in field of play roles including knowledge, skills and training in the treatment of concussions.
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Develop strong relationships with National, Provincial and Community Sporting bodies.
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Foster ongoing relationships with extended health benefits insurers, the provincial Government and other allied health care professionals.
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Organize top-notch conferences (Annual Summits) and workshops to support the professional development of our Members Therapists in Ontario.
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Manage the day-to-day operations of the Association in compliance with ONCA.