Severe Weather Policy
Created July 2023
Introduction
As much as possible, Cochrane Minor Soccer Club (CMSC) events – including practices, matches, and tournaments – will proceed as scheduled, rain or shine. However, the safety of players, coaches, management, and spectators is the primary concern in any weather event that occurs during all matches sanctioned by the CMSC and by Ontario Soccer.
The CMSC Board of Directors and officials – including coaches, assistant coaches, convenors, game leaders, and match officials – will use the policies outlined in this document as a guide for responsible decision-making about safe play.
Ultimately, game leaders and match officials have the final say about whether events will start, be delayed, or restart due to weather and/or current field conditions. For events in which a game leader or match official is not assigned, it is up to the discretion of each team official to determine if conditions are safe to play.
Regardless of the decisions made by the Club or officials, participants (and/or their legal guardians) should always use their own judgement when a thunderstorm or other dangerous weather is present.
Notice of Cancellation
When extreme weather is present one hour prior to the start of an event, the Club will send an email communication to all relevant participants, coaches, and game leaders outlining the status of the event. In addition, the Club will post information on its social channels and its website. It is the responsibility of each participant to ensure the correct email address is on file with the Club, and it is recommended that each participant, coach and referee consult with or follow the Club’s social channels and website.
If a match or training session is cancelled, it will not be made up. If a tournament is cancelled, the Club will make a reasonable effort to make the event up.
Facility Conditions
CMSC uses facilities that are owned, operated, and maintained by the Town of Cochrane, District School Board Ontario North East, Northeastern Catholic District School Board, and Conseil scolaire catholique de district des Grandes Rivières. As such, the CMSC is subject to facility closure policies from the aforementioned organizations.
Fields may be closed in the event of heavy rainfall or other field related issues at some locations and not at others.
Additionally, out of respect for future use, CMSC will deem fields unplayable if there is pooling of water on the surface of the field, if water sponges up around the feet while walking on the field, if there are any health and safety concerns regarding the use of the field, or if officials deem that using the field will cause damage to it.
Lightning
Lightning awareness begins with the first flash of lightning or thunderclap.
CMSC uses the 30/30 Flash to Bang Rule to monitor lightning for evacuation of the playing field to a safer environment. That is: if the time from seeing lightning to hearing thunder is 30 seconds or less, play will be suspended for at least 30 minutes.
Play will not be resumed until 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning or clap of thunder.
Extreme Heat
Where the air temperatures (including Humidex) reach the following thresholds one hour prior to the scheduled start time of an event, the CMSC shall take the following actions:
Temperature 29C and under:
– Matches and practices will proceed as normal.
Temperature 30C to 34C
-Matches will have at least one two-minute water break per half.
-Practices will have additional water breaks incorporated.
Temperature 35C to 38C
– Athletes will be monitored for signs of heat-related illnesses.
– Matches will be shortened to half the scheduled time and will have at least one two-minute water break per half.
– Practices will be shortened to half the scheduled time, with limited conditioning exercises, and will have additional water breaks incorporated.
Temperature 39C and above
– Matches and practices will be cancelled.
Cold Weather
Where the air temperatures (including the wind chill) are under 2C one hour prior to an outdoor match or practice, the CMSC will cancel the event.
Outdoor events will be cancelled if there is more than 2.5cm of snow on the field.
Wind
The CMSC will cancel matches and practices if the Air Quality Index is listed as lower than Moderate in the Town of Cochrane one hour prior to the scheduled start, as reported by the Weather Channel.
Tornado
If there is a current Tornado Warning for the Town of Cochrane, all events will be cancelled.
If there is a current Tornado Watch, CMSC officials will monitor local weather for storm development, since a watch is often issued well in advance of any severe weather.