PLAYERS at Broxbourne Cricket Club are being encouraged to take their eye health as seriously as their batting, bowling, and fielding, as part of an ongoing initiative with local independent opticians E&G Opticians.

As part of the club’s pledge to supporting both vision and eye health, the full team visited E&G Opticians, for an eye examination, with the optical team providing tailored expert advice on sports vision, contact lenses, and specialist eyewear designed for varying playing conditions.

While strength, technique, and training are often prioritised, players and coaches at the club say vision is an area that is frequently overlooked, despite its importance in tracking fast-moving balls, judging distance, and maintaining concentration over long periods of play.

Chairman of Broxbourne Cricket Club, Gordon Picker, said the partnership has helped to challenge misconceptions around eye health in sport.

He said: “It’s pretty obvious from talking to our lads that there is a lot of misinformation about eye health and fashion drives the choice of sunglasses in most cases.

“Our partnership with E&G has, pardon the pun, opened my eyes and plenty of the players’ eyes to the importance of regular eye checks and using the right eyewear for the game. We’re now more aware of how much of a difference it can make.”

Several players have remarked on the impact of improving their visual support on the field.

Broxbourne Cricket Club player Warren Pegg said: “I’ve been using contact lenses since November to help me see the ball more clearly over distance.

“It’s too early to say in terms of performance, but I do think it has helped me pick up the ball better when fielding.”

James Logan said specialist advice on sports eyewear had changed his approach to match play.

“I found the information about sport-specific sunglasses really interesting. A lot of players wear sunglasses as fashion, but I now wear Oakleys after speaking with Shabnam at E&G Opticians, and they genuinely help me see the ball better with both red and pink ball conditions.”

Charlie Willis, commented on his experience at E&G Opticians, despite not having a prescription for his vision, saying: “I enjoyed it strangely, if you can enjoy having air puffed in your eyes and doing all the tests!

“I’m really pleased that I had a clean bill of health, but it’s still a weight off your mind.”

George Davies, team Captain, added: “I’ve been using Oakley Radar frames with sapphire lenses this season and they’ve made a noticeable difference in bright conditions. They help me stay focused throughout the game and adjust better to changing light.”

Shabnam Fazl, Director and Dispensing Optician at E&G Opticians, said the initiative was designed to help players understand the role vision plays in sporting performance.

“Cricket relies heavily on visual performance, so it makes sense that players would want to keep their eyes in good condition.

“Through our work with Broxbourne Cricket Club, we’ve been able to show how tailored eye care and sports-specific eyewear can support both confidence and performance on the field.

“It’s always an added bonus that those who left the practice with sunglasses will also be protected from UV exposure, keeping their eyes healthy for longer.”

As the partnership continues, E&G Opticians and Broxbourne Cricket Club hope to encourage more players at all levels to consider regular eye examinations and explore the benefits of specialist sports eyewear.

To find out more about Broxbourne Cricket Club, please visit www.broxbournecricketclub.com

To find out more about E&G Opticians, or to book an appointment, please visit www.egopticians.co.uk