Proctective eyewear mandated for field hockey

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Board of Directors, in its April 13 meeting in Indianapolis, voted to mandate the use of protective eyewear that meets the current American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard for field hockey.

Acting on a recommendation from the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, the Board agreed that the potential risk of injury warranted the requirement of protective eyewear for the 64,000 student-athletes participating in high school field hockey.

“While serious eye injuries in field hockey are rare, the NFHS Board of Directors has concluded that an eyewear requirement is the right step,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of educational services and field hockey rules editor.

NFHS field hockey rules previously allowed – but did not require – the wearing of eyewear that meets the current ASTM standard. Six NFHS-member state associations had previously passed more stringent rules and already mandate the use of protective eyewear.

The revised language to mandate protective eyewear will appear in the 2011-12 NFHS Field Hockey Rules Book.