Adverse Weather Policy

THE POLICY 
Intent of Policy
The policy is to ensure that Noranda Netball Association (NNA) provides effective management guidelines in the event of the need to delay or cancel all or parts of the competition and/or altering the duration of game times and breaks on match day due to dangerous weather.

• NNA has a responsibility to provide a safe environment for players, coaches, umpires and spectators, to meet our duty of care and to reduce the potential of injury. 
• Although it is preferable that games are not cancelled the safety of members is paramount. 
• This policy is not applicable to inclement weather- e.g., normal Winter conditions. 

How the Policy Works
At the discretion of the Association’s Competition Convenor, Umpiring Development Officer, President and/or other Committee Members a timeslot or round may be cancelled due to dangerous weather in the immediate vicinity of the Noranda Sporting Complex (NNA). This personal/panel will make the decision on whether matches are cancelled. 

The Policy
Dangerous (Severe) Weather can include, but is not limited to, the following: 

• Electrical storm: If the difference between a lightning strike and the associated thunder from that lightning strike is 30 seconds or less, all persons associated with the activity as players, officials, umpires or spectators shall immediately leave the grounds and seek shelter that is appropriate from a lightning strike. Access to the courts will not resume less than 30 minutes after the last sighted lightning strike. 
• High winds: sustained winds of gale force (63 km/h) or wind gusts of 90km/h or more 
• Hailstorm 
• Heavy rainfall which may cause flash flooding. 
• Extreme heat 

​
THE PROCESS
The process for consideration of delay or cancellation for all or any part of matches shall be: 
Check the weather warnings via the BOM web sites as detailed below; checks to be made on a regular basis (as deemed necessary) on BOM Website throughout competition day. Assessment to ascertain if dangerous weather conditions apply will be carried out utilising the following tools:

• The Bureau of Meteorology weather warnings 
• The Bureau of Meteorology radar 
• The Bureau of Meteorology Wind Doppler 
• The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) ambient and WBGT reading 

​NNA to specify time periods for review (e.g., 2hours or 4 hours). 

MATCH DAY COMMUNICATION
If the Bureau of Meteorology indicates there is likely to be severe weather within the Noranda area and the Association Committee ascertain this may have the potential to impact on games, one of the following notifications (or similar) shall be detailed on the NNA Social Media Pages: 

Posted at: (date and time) 
​NNA is currently monitoring weather conditions with the Bureau of Meteorology. 
At this stage all games will go ahead as scheduled. 
If required, an update to this notification will be made at (insert time)

Posted at: (date and time) 
​NNA is currently monitoring weather conditions with the Bureau of Meteorology. 
Each game timeslot is being assessed individually and a final decision on individual games will be posted on this site 30 minutes prior to game start time.

Posted at: (date and time) 
NNA has been monitoring weather conditions via the Bureau of Meteorology throughout the day and has been advised by the Bureau that the weather conditions are now considered unsafe to be participating in outdoor sports. 
As a safety precaution NNA has made the decision to cancel all games scheduled to be played at: 

• (Insert timeslot 1) 
• (Insert timeslot 2)

Posted at: (date and time) 
NNA has been monitoring weather conditions via the Bureau of Meteorology throughout the day and has been advised by the Bureau that the weather conditions are now considered unsafe to be participating in outdoor sports. As a safety precaution NNA has made the decision to cancel all games (insert date).

If the Association Committee take the decision to cancel a timeslot or fixture an announcement by an Association representative will be made over the PA in the first instance. This will be followed by posts on the Association Social Media Pages. 
​​
ACTIONS
Once a decision has been made to cancel or postpone a timeslot the following actions will be taken: 

1. Members will cease playing (or training) outdoors and seek appropriate shelter from the severe weather conditions. 
2. Club officials should ensure that teams and team management are aware of decisions impacting their games. 

MATCH PROCEDURES 

1. If the match is cancelled by the Association before commencement, the game will be classified as a ‘washout’ with all teams involved allocated a no game with no points; 
2. If match is cancelled by the Association prior to half time, the teams are awarded 1 point each and a 10-10 result; 
3. If the match is cancelled after half time by the Association, the current score of game stands. 
4. No forfeits for a cancelled round/timeslot will be accepted if the round/timeslot is deemed a washout by the Association. However, any forfeits communicated to the Association prior to the competition day will stand with the forfeiting team being awarded a 15-nil loss. 
5. In the event of a Finals match having to be cancelled due to severe weather, the Association President will call a Special Meeting of the Committee, to arrange for the match/es to be played as soon as possible. No amendments or changes to rescheduled match/es (dates and times) as agreed by the Association Committee will be considered and any team/s not able to play at the rescheduled time will forfeit the game. 

The above Match Procedures are final, and the Association Committee will not enter into any further discussion with Clubs, Teams or Individuals.

​Last Updated 2023