Visually impaired cricketer says sport helps you cope with life

Being born visually impaired, was not easy for the captain of Northerns Blind Cricket and member of the Blind Cricket South Africa team, Max Geerthsen.

But because he was focused and well supported by a loving family of sports lovers, and being the eldest brother of three, Geerthsen took the responsibility upon himself to play sport and play it well.

“Sport helps you cope with life. From the moment I held a cricket bat, I was enthralled. It was what I wanted for my life. With a bat in my hand, it was just cloud nine for me.”

Geerthsen was a member of the Blind Proteas that toured India in 2022 for the T20 Cricket World Cup for the Blind. He has been part of the Northerns side since 2014.

He also took part in athletics running the 100m and 200m races and played rugby. In the end, it was cricket that won the day.

He pointed out that a lot is done differently in visually impaired cricket.

“A big part of the game is based on the way you hear. Because one sense is being taken away, we do rely on our other senses. We also adapt during the game by talking to each other. We improvise on a lot of things.”

Geerthsen was born visually impaired with the aniridia condition. It is defined as a partial or complete absence of the iris.

“ A large portion of what I see or cannot see is largely affected by the light. I grew up with it and learned to cope with it. I had to learn new ways to go about life.”

He also serves on the management committee of the Northerns Blind Cricket.

“It is incredible being able to lead a group of young talented players, each coming from a unique section of life. I feel so blessed to be able to fill this position.”

To him, lifelong friendships and connections are also the fruit of his time spent with the team and on the field.

“It is so empowering to have a space in life where you can relate to each other and your unique challenges.”

Cricket for the visually impaired differs from the able-bodied version in many ways. The bowler for instance when he releases the ball says “Play”

“This aids the batsman and give him a sense of direction of the ball.”

“It needs a lot of exposure still to gain support in all sorts of ways. We need sponsors as well as an administrative structure to get to tournaments, games, and training. It requires a participating community and unity.”

Geerthsen admitted that sometimes there are negative stigmas to sportsmen with disabilities. That is why a day like Casual Day has value and meaning.

Casual Day is the annual fundraising campaign of the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD).

In support of Casual Day, individuals and organisations are encouraged to purchase Casual Day stickers (R20 each) and specially branded merchandise before September 1, and to wear them with pride on the day. Visit www.casualday.co.za to find out where purchases can be made, or to order personalised stickers.

“Casual Day has raised over R404m since 1995, thanks to the wonderful support of members of the public who purchase their stickers from participating retail stores, participating companies, our 600+ beneficiary NPOs and schools that renew their participation every year. The proceeds go to persons with disabilities at schools, homes and workshops represented by the participating beneficiary organisations,” says  Therina Wentzel, National Director of National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities 

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