Reviewed August 2020

FOOTBALL SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Procedures and Policies

1.

Subject:

Extreme Weather Policy

Date Implemented

May 2018

Review

Annually

Date Amended

August 2020

Rationale
1.1 Football South Australia and its registered Clubs and Affiliated Associations have a responsibility toensure the health and wellbeing of staff, volunteers, players, officials, and spectators. In fulfilling
this responsibility, all members have a duty to provide and maintain an environment that is safe
and without risk to health.
1.2

Football South Australia Extreme Weather Policy will assist volunteers, players, officials, andspectators to undertake necessary action in cases of extreme weather. This is to prevent injury,
and possible death, by recognising and managing potentially dangerous extreme weather
situations.

It is the responsibility of all clubs and affiliated associations to distribute this policy to their stakeholders andimplement the requirements as outlined in this policy.

HOT WEATHER POLICY
2.

Risks Associated with Hot Weather
2.1 Football South Australia recognises that the risk of an elevated body temperature from highintensity sport in a hot environment is significant and can lead to heat illness presented as heatexhaustion and heat stroke. Symptoms can be worse if fluid replacement during exercise isinadequate which leads to fluid loss and dehydration.
2.2 Sports Medicine Australia characterises heat exhaustion by a high heart rate, dizziness, headache,loss of endurance and skill, nausea, clammy and pale skin.
2.3

3.

Heat stroke is like heat exhaustion but with a dry skin, confusion, collapse, and possible coma. It
may arise in a player who is suffering from heat exhaustion and has persisted with exercise. This isa potentially fatal condition and must be treated immediately.

Factors Affecting Participants in Hot Weather
3.1 Football South Australia recognizes that there are a number of factors that affect the heat stress onparticipants apart from just the temperature. This includes humidity, wind, radiation, shade,
duration/intensity, timing of activity, hydration, fitness level, age, and gender. Many of these1

Reviewed August 2020
factors are reflected by the concept of a ‘wet bulb globe temperature’ to measure heat stress moreaccurately. While clubs will likely find it easier to use traditional temperature readings (i.e. 32
degrees Celsius) the concepts behind the other factors (such as wind speed and radiation) are
important to be aware of.
3.2

4.

Children and the elderly may suffer more in the heat during exercise. This may be due to a greater
percentage of body fat, and poorly developed sweating mechanism in children.

Competition Requirements during Hot Weather
4.1 Football South Australia will determine whether the hot weather policy needs to be activatedbased on the temperature provided on the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) website. A decision tocancel games will be determined by Football South Australia and notified to all stakeholders atleast 24 hours prior to the game.
4.2

Depending on the location of the competition venue, Football South Australia will utilise theweather forecast in the area closest to the venue including Adelaide, Elizabeth and Noarlunga andregional areas when making decisions.

4.3

The table below will be implemented to determine the cause of action that Football South
Australia will take regarding Hot Weather.

Natural Turf Fields
Under 6 – 11
Ambient
Juniortemperature
Competition

Up to 31oC
32 – 35 oC

36 – 38 oC

39oC and above

Games are to beplayedGames are to be
Cancelled

Games are to be
Cancelled

Under 12 -17
JuniorCompetitions,
Community and
MasterCompetitions
Games are to beplayedGames are to berescheduled. Games To
be played andcompleted by 11.00am
or commenced after
6.00pmGames are to be
Cancelled

Senior Men and
Women Elite
Competitions

Full-Time
Pathway
Programs

Games are to beplayedGames are to beplayedGames are to beplayedGames are to beplayedGames are to berescheduled. GamesTo be played andcompleted by
11.00am orcommenced after
6.00pmALL GAMES ARE TO BE CANCELLED

Games are to berescheduled. Games To
be played and completed
by 11.00am orcommenced after
6.00pm2

Reviewed August 2020
Artificial Turf Fields
Under 6 – 11
Ambient
Juniortemperature
Competition
31oC-34 oC

Games to be
Cancelled

35 oC-37 oC

Games are to be
Cancelled

38oC andabove

Senior Men and
Women Elite
Competitions

Full-Time
Pathway
Programs

Games are to beplayedGames are to be played

Games are to berescheduled.
Games To beplayed andcompleted by
11.00am orcommenced after
7.00pmALL GAMES ARE TO BE CANCELLED

Games are to berescheduled. Games To
be played andcompleted by 11.00am
or commenced after
7.00pmUnder 12 -17
Junior Competitions,
Community and
MasterCompetitions
Games are to berescheduled. Games To beplayed and completed by
11.00am or commenced
after 7.00pm
Games are to be Cancelled

4.3

Where a game is played involving juniors and the temperature is 27 degrees or higher, a drink
break is to be held in each half of the game. The drink break should be a maximum of 2 minutes induration. The timing of the drink break is at the discretion of the match official but should occur,
where possible, at the half-way point of each half. (The match official in consultation with the clubs
may deem drink breaks are necessary if the temperature is below 27 degrees due to local
conditions and player welfare).

4.4

Where a game is played involving adult participants and the temperature is 32 degrees or higher, adrink break is to be held in each half of the game. The drink break should be a maximum of 2
minutes in duration. The timing of the drink break is at the discretion of the match official but
should occur, where possible, at the halfway point of each half. (The match official in consultation
with the clubs may deem drink breaks are necessary if the temperature is below 32 degrees due tolocal conditions and player welfare).

4.5

Where a game is played on an artificial field and the temperature is 30 degrees or higher, two drink
breaks per half are to be held. The drink breaks should be a maximum of 2 minutes in duration. The
timing of the drink breaks is at the discretion of the match official but should occur, where
possible, at 15-minute intervals. (The match official in consultation with the clubs may deem drink
breaks are necessary if the temperature is below 30 degrees, especially if juniors are involved due
to local conditions and player welfare).

4.6

A junior player is classified as any player that participates in the Junior Age Competitions.

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Reviewed August 2020
5.

Training Requirements during Hot Weather
5.1 The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is to be utilised to access temperature information for
determining whether a training session or activity should be undertaken due to hot weather. The
site can be accessed either at www.bom.gov.au or an app is now available for use on any smart
phone. In utilising either of these sites, a specific location can be used to gain the temperature. It is
the responsibility of each Club to access temperature information to determine whether a training
session should proceed noting the provisions set out at paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3.
5.2

The table below is to be used by clubs and associations to determine whether OUTDOOR training is
to continue or be cancelled. Indoor training in an air-conditioned venue may continue.

Natural Turf Field
Ambient
temperature

Under 6 – 11
JuniorCompetition

Up to 31oC

Training cancontinue
Training is to becancelled

32 – 35 oC

36 – 38 oC

39oC andabove

Training is to becancelled

Under 12 -17
JuniorCompetitions,
Community and
MasterCompetitions
Training can continue
Training can continue if
is held and completed
by 11.00am orcommenced after
6.00pmTraining is to becancelled

Senior Men and
Women Elite
Competitions

Full-Time
Pathway
Programs

Training cancontinue
Training cancontinue

Training can continue

Training can continue
if is held andcompleted by
11.00am orcommenced after
6.00pmALL OUTDOOR TRAINING IS TO BE CANCELLED

Training can continue

Training can continue if isheld and completed by
11.00am or commenced
after 6.00pm

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Reviewed August 2020

Artificial Turf Fields
Under 6 – 11
Ambient
Juniortemperature
Competition

31oC-34 oC

Training to be
Cancelled

35 oC-37 oC

Games are to be
Cancelled

38oC and above

6.

Under 12 -17
JuniorCompetitions,
Community and
MasterCompetitions
Training to berescheduled. Training
to be completed by
11.00am orcommenced after
7.00pmGames are to be
Cancelled

Senior Men and
Women Elite
Competitions

Full-Time
Pathway
Programs

Training cancontinue

Training can continue

Training to berescheduled.
Training to becompleted by
11.00am orcommenced after
7.00pmALL TRAINING IS TO BE CANCELLED

Training to berescheduled. Training
to be completed by
11.00am orcommenced after
7.00pm5.3

The temperatures outlined in 5.2 are the maximum cancellation temperatures. The club may deemthat cancellation of training is necessary at lower temperatures due to the localised conditions,
including humidity. The club can check the humidity prior to commencing the training or theactivity by reviewing the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) at
http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDS65004.shtml. If the WBGT is 26 or greater then the activity
must be cancelled.

5.4

Football SA acknowledges that the temperature can change, the temperature at 2.00pm may not
be the temperature at the time that training is scheduled to commence. Clubs are responsible fordetermining when they notify their participants/parents of the cancellation of training due to hot
weather, whether it be prior to training or at the scheduled time of training. In making thisdetermination clubs may want to take into consideration such aspects as the travelling time ofparticipants/parents and if there has been continuous days of hot weather.

Club Requirements during Hot Weather
6.1 Clubs shall encourage all players and officials to drink fluids prior to and during all competitions
and training sessions to avoid dehydration, and for rehydration following competitions and training
sessions.
6.2

In all competitions and training sessions, club officials shall ensure that there is an adequate supplyof water for drinking and cooling. Regular drink breaks must occur during training sessions.

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6.3

7.

Reviewed August 2020
In all competitions and training sessions, club officials shall ensure that water bottles are accessible
to players. Each player must have their designated water bottle and players may be handed awater bottle from the side of the field.

6.4Club Officials will make every effort to provide adequate resources for players to participate
including the provision of water, ice, fans, cooling vests and will monitor their players to ensurethat they are fit enough to participate or continue to participate. Refer to the factors of heat stress
(3.1)

6.5

Club Officials shall, where possible, provide a shaded area for players and officials during breaks at
all competitions and training sessions.

6.6

Club Officials are required to document and record all actions that they implement and undertakewith regards to hot weather.

First Aid Treatment
7.1 As per Football South Australia Competition Rules and Regulations and Operating Regulations,clubs are required to provide first aid requirements for players, officials and the public during
competitions and training sessions.
7.2

Players and club officials with any symptoms of heat illness must immediately cease exercising.
They shall have immediate first aid treatment including Strip/Soak/Fan.
••••strip off any excess clothing.
soak with water.
fan.
ice packs placed in groin and armpits.

The aim is to reduce body temperature as quickly as possible. The participant
should immediately be referred for urgent treatment by a medical professional.
Important:

8.

Heat exhaustion/stroke can still occur even in the presence of good hydration.
Refer to the factors of heat stress (3.1).

Additional Resources
Additional information can be obtained from Sports Medicine Australia (www.sma.org.au) and the SA
Sports Medicine Association (www.sasma.com.au).

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Reviewed August 2020
COLD WEATHER POLICY
Scheduled training and games may be impacted upon by one or more of the following extreme weather
events.
• Hail• Lightning• Heavy rain
The decision to cancel a game based on any of the above factors will be determined either by the matchofficial on the day or by Football South Australia (in consultation with the club).
9.

Hail
9.1

9.2

Hailstorms may present a risk to participants depending upon the size and intensity of thestorm. Where a hailstorm occurs, the match official on the day will determine if it poses arisk to the participants.
If the Match Official deems that there is a risk, the game is to be suspended during thehailstorm so that players and officials can seek suitable shelter. Once the hailstorm hasceased, the match official may resume play taking into consideration the condition andsafety of the field and other conditions associated with a hailstorm such as drop in
temperature, rainfall, and increased winds.
If it is not safe to resume (or start) the game, the match official is to abandon the game. If
the game is abandoned, the match official is required to submit a report detailing thereasons for the decision to Football South Australia within 48 hours. Where a game isabandoned, Football South Australia will make a decision in accordance with theCompetition Rules and Regulations governing abandoned games.

10.

Lightning
10.1 Lightning is a sudden electrostatic discharge that occurs during a thunderstorm. Thunder is theresulting sound from the rapid expansion of the air after this electrical discharge.
Thunderstorms may develop quickly so it is important that you keep a check on the forecast andwatch the sky. Darkening skies, flashes, or lightning, or increasing wind may indicate an
approaching storm.
Thunderstorms can occur anytime during the year and therefore it is important that all clubs
and associations are aware of the safety procedures to follow if lightning does occur.
10.2

30 – 30 Lightning Rule
Where a thunderstorm is present, the ‘30-30’ rule is to be used to determine whether a gameshould be suspended (including delaying the commencement of the game) and when it is safe
to resume play. This decision is to be made by the match official (consultation may occur withthe clubs).

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Reviewed August 2020
The 30-30 rule is applied as follows when lightning is sighted, count the time until thunder isheard. If that time is 30 seconds or less, the thunderstorm is within 10km and is dangerous.
This is the time at which matches are to be suspended.
. Using the ‘30-30’ rule, the distance of the storm should be estimated before allowing play tocommence or resume.
10.3

Safety Procedures
If there is lightning around the following precautions are to be followed.
If shelter is nearby.
• seek shelter in a hard-top vehicle or a solid building.
• do not touch electrical items or telephones during the storm.
• if in a vehicle, park away from trees and powerlines and don’t touch any metal parts.
• avoid small structures or fabric tents.
• keep clear of windows.
If shelter isn't available.
• crouch or squat:o with knees drawn up and feet together.
o preferably in a hollow in the ground.
o keep hands off the ground.
o make yourself a small target.
o don't lie down.
o if in a group, spread out 10 metres apart.
•
•
•
•
•

10.4

11.

remove metal objects.
if your hair stands on end, or if you hear buzzing nearby move immediately.
stay away from hilltops, ridges and gullies, rock overhangs and shallow caves.
keep well away from water.
don't shelter under trees.

First Aid
Where a person is struck by lightning, call ‘000’ at once. As all deaths from lightning arise fromcardiac arrest and/or stopping of breathing, apply CPR until medical assistance arrives. The
person performing CPR will not receive an electric shock from the victim. If proper treatment isadministered, most victims survive a lightning strike.

Heavy Rain
For competition games Football South Australia will monitor the weather forecasts in relation torainfall. Communication will be on going with clubs and where possible Football South Australia may
undertake a pitch inspection to determine the condition of the ground.
11.1

Football South Australia (in consultation with the club) may determine prior to the day(s) of thegame that the ground is not safe to play, in which case this will be communicated to relevant
stakeholders. Football South Australia may also issue a directive that the condition of theground is such that only one game may be played, in such cases priority will be given to thehighest-grade game or as directed by Football South Australia.

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12.

11.2

If on the day of the game the match official inspects the ground and they determine it is not
safe to proceed, the game is to be abandoned. The decision to abandon a game based on thecondition of the ground is at the sole and absolute discretion of the match official. The decisionand the reasons must be reported to Football South Australia by the match official within 48
hours.

11.3

Clubs are responsible for determining whether the condition of the ground is safe for the
purpose of training. In making a determination, the club should also take into consideration
whether training on the field will have an adverse impact on the field being available forcompetition games.

Other Conditions
The match official has sole and absolute discretion to determine if the weather conditions pose a
danger to participants. Where the match official makes such a determination the game may be
abandoned or delayed until it is safe to proceed (if time permits). Where a game is abandoned ordelayed, the match official is to submit a report into Football South Australia within 48 hours.

Signatures:

Signed:Signed:Football South Australia President

Date:

Football South Australia CEO
Date:

Next policy review date is:
2 August 2021

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