NEWS
R PBR
FO
ES
CH
UN
LA
AM
R
OG
PR
S
ES
LN
EL
NEW W
HLETES
AT
EO
OD
R
L
AL
TO
ON
SO
G
IN
M
CO
S,
ATHLETE
Photo by Sean Gleason, CEO, PBR
26
There’s a new nonprofit in town structured
to provide comprehensive wellness support
and expanded benefits to all western sports athletes.
Formerly the Rider Relief Fund that provided financial
support to injured bull riders and bull fighters, the Western
Sports Foundation (WSF) is the first program to provide a
full range of resources and services for life beyond a career
in western sports. It is based on five areas of Wellness:
Mental, Physical, Life Skills, Financial, and Education &
Career Planning. Athletes will have access to a host of new
resources in these areas, including neurological services,
brain trauma education, access to counseling and special
programs and assistance in preparing for their future beyond
the sport. In addition to PBR’s multi-million dollar contribution over the next
five years, which will ensure service coverage for its members,
WSF will solicit other sports organizations and engage in
additional fund-raising activities to ensure full services covering
participants in rodeo and other western sports.
“As western sports have grown, we need to offer more
services for the athletes. Western Sports Foundation will
continue to provide financial assistance to injured athletes
while significantly expanding to total wellness,” said Jake
West, executive director of WSF. The WSF will continue to offer the Rider Relief Fund’s
traditional financial support to all injured western sports
athletes. The new services will be initially offered to PBR
athletes. There is no premium or deductible for the programs
provided. With additional support and funding, these
services will soon be available to all western sports athletes.
www.rodeofame.com
“Rider health and safety have been, are, and will always be
paramount to PBR,” said Sean Gleason, CEO, Professional
Bull Riders (PBR), which is the driving force and a significant
financial contributor to the WSF. “Using our network of
experts and partners, we are proud to help launch this
pioneering program in western sports. At no cost to them,
our athletes will have access to experts and resources to
help with healthcare, life skills and preparing for the future.”
Courtesy of PBR