Lightning Policy

Link to the latest Football NSW Policy – Football NSW Lightning Policy

Lightning presents a real risk of death or serious injury to outdoor sports participants. It accounts for around 10 deaths and over 100 injuries in Australia each year.

Lightning does not need to directly strike a person to cause death or serious injury. A person touching, or close to, an object struck by lightning may be affected
by a side-flash or transferred energy (for example, being within 20m of a tree struck by lightning is considered to be in the lethal zone).

Participants must not let the desire to start or complete a match or training session hinder their judgment when the safety of players, coaches or spectators is at risk.

30/30 Lightning Safety Guideline
1. Stop play if the time between seeing a lightning flash and hearing thunder is less than 30 seconds. Immediately seek safety under appropriate shelter.
2. Do not resume play until at least 30 minutes has passed since the last thunder was heard.

Hot Weather Policy

Link to the latest Football NSW Policy – Football NSW Hot Weather Policy

With higher temperatures now occurring more frequently, consideration must be given to the effects of heat and humidity on elite and amateur athletes and particularly children involved in football activities.

Recommended temperatures for cancellation of games & training and other events including trial games, selection trials, clinics or any physical activities

ADULTS – Cancel or postpone events involving Adults at ambient temperatures of 37°C or above
CHILDREN – Cancel or postpone events involving Children at ambient temperatures of 32°C or above

Please Note: These are the maximum cancellation temperatures. Cancellation of games, training or events at lower temperatures may be necessary depending on factors such as: humidity; local conditions including radiant heat from synthetic surfaces and lack of ventilation at indoor centres; player wellbeing; and player
acclimatisation. For the purpose of this policy a child is a person aged up to and including 16 years of age.
Note that young children are especially at risk in the heat and should not be forced to continue playing or training if they appear distressed or complain about feeling unwell.