SANFL League hot weather policy

As a responsible organisation it has been recognised that we must modify playing conditions for the safety of players when there is a possibility of heat stress.

Therefore modifications to match conditions will apply when the estimated temperature of the day of competition is 32 degrees or above at the 2.00pm forecast the previous day.

The SANFL will advise Club General Managers as soon as possible after obtaining the forecast that the Heat Policy will operate for that round of matches. Umpires will be notified by the SANFL.

The home SANFL Club will be responsible to initiate the following process. 

1. The reserves or curtain raiser game to be moved forward 10 minutes (normal start time would then be 11.25am).
2. League game or second game starts at normal time (2.20pm)
3. Timekeepers are instructed to blow siren after 15 minute mark of each quarter at next break of play when umpire blows whistle to allow a 2 minute break for players to take fluids and cool down
4. A warning siren is blown after 1 minute 30 seconds and a further siren after 1 minute 45 seconds and play recommences exactly 2 minutes after the break commenced.
5. Play will recommence as it was when ceased or by bouncing or throwing up the ball in the same vicinity where it ceased at the onset of the break.
6. During the 2 minute break coaches are not allowed to address players although the Runner may be used in normal practice.
7. Players to be encouraged to use sunscreen on these days and keep fluid intake at a high level.

Please note that if the Heat Policy was invoked and a subsequent cool change arrives the two competing General Managers can decide to play normal rules and quarters. 

In this case the Reserves or early game would still commence at 11.25am and League game or main game at 2.20pm which would result in a longer break between games. 

Game Development Program hot weather policy

1. Rationale
 
1.1 South Australian National Football League (SANFL) and its registered clubs and members have a responsibility to ensure 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 risks to health.

1.2 The SANFL Hot Weather Policy will assist volunteers, players, officials and spectators to undertake necessary action in cases of extreme hot weather. This is to prevent injury, and possible death, from heat illness by recognising and managing potentially dangerous heat situations. 


2. Risks Associated with Hot Weather

2.1 The SANFL recognises that the risk of an elevated body temperature from high intensity sport in a hot environment is significant, and can lead to heat illness presented as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The SANFL also recognise that children are at a higher risk than adults. Symptoms can be worse if fluid replacement during exercise is inadequate which leads to fluid loss and dehydration. 


3. Training/Competitions in Hot Weather

3.1 Clubs and/or participating parties shall check the forecast temperature at 12 noon the day before the event on the internet. Information is to be obtained from www.bom.gov.au, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology website.

3.2 Based on the forecast temperature, the following action will be taken regarding the event: 

SMA 2008 Hot weather guidelines

3.3 Clubs shall encourage players and officials to drink fluid prior to and during all competitions and training sessions to avoid dehydration, and for rehydration following competitions and training sessions.

3.4 In all competitions and training sessions, clubs and officials shall ensure that there is an adequate supply of water for drinking and refreshment, and the appropriate drinks breaks are taken as necessary during theses competitions or training sessions.

3.5 In all competitions and training sessions, clubs shall ensure that water bottles are accessible to players.

3.6 If the Heat policy comes into play matches will be rescheduled, so teams will not be penalised. Where a reschedule is not possible, points will be split evenly between the competing teams. 


4. Outdoor/Indoor

4.1 Activities may be conducted in an indoor facility if available. 


5. First Aid Treatment

5.1 As per the SANFL Competition Rules, any club/activity registered with the SANFL must have adequate first aid facilities for players, officials and the general public during competitions and training sessions.

5.2 Players and officials with any symptoms of heat illness shall immediately cease exercising. They shall have immediate first aid treatment including Strip/Soak/Fan (strip off any excess clothing and rest in a shaded area, soak or spray with water and rehydrate, and fan) to reduce body temperature as quickly as possible. This person shall immediately be referred for treatment by a medical professional. 


6. Additional Resources

6.1 Additional information can be obtained from Sports Medicine Australia (www.sma.org.au) 


6.5. Match Times and Duration

6.5.5. Modifications to match conditions as set out in this Regulation 6.5.5 (‘the Heat Policy”) will apply when the estimated temperature or forecast temperature of a day of competition made at 2.00pm on the previous day, is 32 degrees Celsius or above.

6.5.5.1 If the Heat Policy is to be invoked the League will advise the General Managers of the League Clubs and Umpires as soon as possible after obtaining the forecast which leads to the decision that the Heat Policy will operate for the following round of matches.

6.5.5.2 In League and Reserves Matches the Club of the Home Team will be responsible to initiate the following processes:-

6.5.5.2.1 The starting time of Reserves or curtain raiser game will be moved forward 10 minutes from its scheduled starting time.

6.5.5.2.2 The League game will start at its scheduled starting time.

6.5.5.2.3 Timekeepers will be instructed to blow a siren at next break of play when an umpire blows his whistle, after the 15 minute mark of each quarter to allow a 2 minute break (‘the break”) for players to take fluids and cool down.

6.5.5.2.4 A warning siren will be blown 1 minute 30 seconds after the break and a further siren after 1 minute 45 seconds after the break. Play will recommence exactly 2 minutes after the break commenced.

6.5.5.2.5 Play will recommence by bouncing or throwing up the ball in the same vicinity on the ground where play ceased at the onset of the break.

6.5.5.2.6 During the 2 minute break coaches are not allowed to address players although the Runner may be used as in normal practice.

6.5.5.2.7 Players will be encouraged to use sunscreen on days when the Heat Policy is invoked and keep fluid intake at a high level.