Protective Eyewear
Players who are under the age of 19 (18 + 364 days in a normal year or 18 + 365 days in a leap year) are required to wear protective eyewear when competing or training in sanctioned WSF, Squash Australia, or State sanctioned events.
Recently I have had to warn a few players who have not complied with this requirement. This brings me to the question of ‘who is responsible to ensure that a junior player is wearing glasses?’
Is it the player themselves?
Is it the parents?
Is it the coach?
Is it their team-mates in a team competition?
Is it the player’s opponent?
Is it the Referee of the match?
Is it the officials of the Association?
I believe it is ALL of the above and in no particular order.
The rule has been in place for sufficient time for all parties to be aware of the reasons for it being introduced – SAFETY. You only have two eyes which cannot be replaced like other organs or parts of your body.
When you get into an automobile, the first instinct is to put the seat belt on (or it should be). When you ride a bike you are required to wear a helmet (adults included). If you don’t do either of these and are caught by the Police, then you are likely to cop a penalty. The same can be said for not wearing protective eyewear as a junior player. It should not be left up to the Referee to be the policeman in this case.
Parents have a responsibility to ensure that their child complies with the regulations regarding protective eyewear. Failure to do so, I believe, makes them just as culpable as the child.
As a team-mate, if you know that one of your team members is a junior, you have an obligation to ensure that they abide by the regulations.
As a Tournament Referee, you are not always able to see what is happening on all courts and if a spectator comes to me and says there is a junior player not wearing protective eyewear then I have no qualms in stopping the match until the player conforms and if they don’t, then MATCH OVER!
I have been guilty in the past of asking a player, whom I thought was a junior, of proof of age only to find out that they were over the age of 19 years, and I can wear that. If in doubt, ask for proof of age.
In the eyes of the law a junior becomes an adult at 18 years and becomes responsible for their actions but under squash regulations, they are still a junior until they are 18 years + 364 days of age.
We all have an obligation to ensure that junior players abide by the regulation regarding protective eyewear, for not only their safety but also for our ‘Duty of Care’ obligations.
I will leave to Squash management to point out what happens regarding insurance, selection in training squads, and selection in teams by not wearing protective eyewear.
Rule of the Month
Appendix 4 – PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR
- “The WSF recommends that all squash players should wear protective eyewear, manufactured to an appropriate National Standard, properly over the eyes at all times during play including the warm-up, whether social, league or tournament. It is the responsibility of the player to ensure that the quality of the product worn is appropriate for the purpose.
- Protective eyewear is mandatory for all doubles and junior events sanctioned by the WSF.
- A list of WSF-certified protective eyewear may be found at:
Quote for the Month
”Take your hat off to the past, but your coat off to the future”
– W.G.P
Readers Question
Q2. How would you characterise the point about influencing the referee? Can a player explain their perspective or is no dialogue allowed at all?
A2. Rule 3.6.10 allows the referee to ask the player for clarification if uncertain about the reason for a request for a let or an appeal.
Rule 3.6.11 states that the referee may give an explanation for a decision.
If as the referee you feel the question is being asked in order to delay play or trying to unsettle you, then you are not obliged to give a reason but ask the player to continue on immediately.
On the other hand it may be wise to give a short sharp answer to diffuse the situation.
Use positive words.
“There was minimal interference.”
“Your shot was down.”
“You blocked your opponent’s access to the ball.”
My advice is don’t use the words “I think”, as you are inviting the player to question your decision.
If uncertain about a ball being “Up”, “Down”, “Not Up”, or “Out”, etc., use the words “I am not certain…, Play a Let”. If the player then questions your decision or makes a remark about your ability to see the situation then the “Conduct” rule may come into play.
Whether a player is trying to influence your decision, is for each individual Referee to decide.
Next month I will be able to publish answers along with other comments from the playing public on last month’s questions about ‘Fair Play’. Still need some feedback.
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