This policy provides guidance to the METC committee to assist in the decisions process for the management of extreme weather related events, and is used to assist with the decision-marking process on when to cancel or postpone teeball games. The Extreme Weather Policy has been created using advice from TBAWA and Sports Medicine Australia.
Parents and guardians need to be aware that this policy does not override their own responsibility to the health and wellbeing of their children, and they should remove their own child(ren) from playing or training if they feel there is in unacceptable risk to their child from extreme weather events.
Teeball is a Summer sport, so it is expected that we will play in warmer weather… there are, of course, some exceptions as listed below.
In each case below, the Morley Eagles Teeball Club Committee will make a determination and advise all team officials as soon as possible, as well as posting to Facebook; Team officials will advise parents directly of changes and cancellations.
We hope that all parents, guardians, and players will understand when games are cancelled or postponed, especially with short notice, as well as if they aren’t cancelled due to the weather not meeting the requirements below. Judging the weather and making these determinations is not always easy, and we apologise if we ever get it wrong.
In the event of any cancelled game, teams that were due to play will be awarded with a DRAW (2 points each).
Heat
To predict the heat risk associated with playing teeball, the peak temperature and relative humidity during the times of our games are taken into consideration. If, for instance, we use the peak relative humidity for the day (which usually occurs when temperature is lowest), the heat stress risk will be over-estimated and games unnecessarily cancelled.
We combine the air temperature and relative humidty, and plot it on a graph provided by Sports Medicine Australia to determine the heat stress risk.
If the heat stress risk is determined to be EXTREME, games will be cancelled.
If the heat stress risk is determined to be HIGH, games and training can go ahead with:
- Game lengths shortened from 60 minutes to 45 minutes; and
- Games times bought forward by half an hour (compared to normal game times); and
- Umpires will waive the 1-minute changeover rule to allow players sufficient time to hydrate between innings; and
- Reports of heat stress to the umpire will be treated as an incapacitating injury as per Rule 6.2(a).
If heat stress risk is determined to be MODERATE, games can go ahead with one or more modifications, e.g.:
- Game lengths shortened from 60 minutes to 45 minutes; and/or
- Games times bought forward by half an hour (compared to normal game times); and/or
- Umpires will waive the 1-minute changeover rule to allow players sufficient time to hydrate between innings.
If heat stress risk is determined to be less than MODERATE, games will go ahead unchanged.
In all instances, regardless of heat stress risk, all players (and spectators, team officials, etc.) are encouraged to keep hydrated and apply sunscreen regularly. Sunscreen is provided at every diamond, and there is a water fountain available in front of the changerooms near the playground. Other cold drinks are available from the canteen on game days.
In addition to using heat stress risk, we understand the impact prolonged heat can have on the body, especially young bodies. As a result, in the event of a heatwave, the heat stress risk rating used to determine how games/training will be proceed will be upgraded by one level, i.e., if the heat stress risk rating is determined to be HIGH but there is an active heatwave, the rating the club will use would be EXTREME.
Rain / Storms
While it is not typical for it to rain during Summer, we do get the odd bit of rainy or even stormy weather! Games are still expected to be played during rain, unless the rain is heavy enough that it is not possible to see the ball at home plate when standing in the outfield.
If there is an active storm (that is, lightning), games and training will be cancelled as a safety precaution. If storms are forecast during games, the Club Committee will use their best judgement the day before the game whether or not to cancel the game. The game will be cancelled if, on the morning, there is an active storm in the area, even if it was decided to go ahead the day before.
Other
In the event of other extreme weather conditions, the Club Committee will use their best judgement and advice from the Bureau of Meteorology and Sports Medicine Australia to make the determination as to whether a game or training will go ahead.
The extreme weather policy also applies to training. However, team officials can use their best judgement whether to shorten or cancel training even if the weather does not warrant it, as training is done after school, and players may be more susceptible to the weather conditions.