CROQUETWEST EXTREME WEATHER POLICY

Effective January 2010

GENERAL

Players have an obligation to dress appropriately for expected weather conditions.

WET WEATHER

Croquet normally continues during rain, but, with the agreement of the Referee or Tournament Manager, players may stop the clocks for the duration of a heavy downpour.

The Tournament Manager must stop play if there is a thunderstorm in the vicinity and play resume only after the storm has clearly passed.

During wet weather, reserved shelter must be available for out-players (AC).

COLD WEATHER

Cold weather normally has no impact on play, but note there is a duty of care towards players and officials. The Tournament Manager should ensure that everyone has ready access to hot drinks and heaters and should arrange for officials to be relieved at humane intervals to warm up.

HOT WEATHER

Every club should have a copy of the Sports Medicine Australia’s (SMA) Hot Weather Guidelines and a copy of their Beat the Heat fact sheet.  The Tournament Manager should read and understand these.

Every club should also have a thermometer/hygrometer and these should be deployed at every Croquetwest tournament to provide objective measurements for discussion about the degree of heat.

During hot weather the Tournament Manager should:

· encourage players to wear hats, apply sunscreen and drink plenty of water during the day;

· ensure that electrolyte drinks are available and that there is plenty of cold water and ice available to players at all times;

· be aware of the signs of heat stress and alert to any players showing possible signs of heat stress, taking appropriate action, including pausing or stopping a game, in consultation with the players;

· regularly monitor the temperature during the day.

If the temperature reaches 34 degrees, the Tournament Manager has the authority to take any of the following actions:

· to consult with players or call a players’ and officials’ meeting to discuss whether they wish to continue play as scheduled;

· the Tournament Manager may suspend games in progress or delay starting further games for those players wishing to do so without penalty to those players.  

This policy is for constitutional reasons (excluding hosted WACA and WACA Recognised Events) not binding on Member Clubs. However, it is strongly recommended by WACA that Clubs formally adopt and implement this policy.