In response to several incidents where children have sustained eye injuries, the Latvian Floorball Union (LFS) has decided to implement a new rule requiring all minor players to wear protective goggles starting from the next season. This decision was confirmed by Mārtiņš Maķevics, the head of the LFS Youth Committee, who noted that the motivation behind this policy is to ensure player safety and prevent serious injuries. Recently, the organization received reports of a young boy who has partially lost his sight due to an eye injury sustained while playing.

The mandatory rule will affect approximately 2,500 minor floorball players registered with the LFS. Maķevics highlighted the importance of prioritizing safety and public health, emphasizing that the overall cost of purchasing 2,500 pairs of protective goggles is a small price to pay compared to the potential loss of vision for a child who plays without them. The organization is committed to implementing measures that protect players from preventable injuries and ensure a safer playing environment.

Floorball clubs represented in the LFS Youth Committee have reportedly expressed relief regarding the new mandatory requirement. Previously, wearing protective goggles in Latvia was optional, and individual initiatives from clubs had seen limited success in encouraging players to wear them. The implementation of this rule is expected to be a significant step toward enhancing player safety in youth sports in Latvia, reflecting a growing awareness of the importance of protective gear in preventing injuries in contact sports like floorball.