AFL is a winter sport, so we sometimes play and train in the rain. (Mud is fun!) Here are some general guidelines about wet weather procedures.
Mid-week training and wet weather. The Canada Bay Council decides on the status of grounds about 2pm and we put wet weather information out as soon as possible – usually by about 2.30pm – on this website, on Facebook and through Twitter.
Grounds are closed if they are too wet and liable to be damaged – so sometimes they are closed in bright sunshine if there’s been rain earlier in the week; sometimes they are open, even though it is raining.
If there’s no word, training is on.
If you’d like to check the status of fields for yourself, then you can do so through the Council’s wet weather line. Details are here: www.canadabay.nsw.gov.au/sports-facilities-and-fields-wet-weather-field-updates.html
Games and wet weather. If we’re at home, a decision on ground status is usually made by the Canada Bay Council late Friday afternoon for games on Saturday. On occasions, a second inspection may be organised on Saturday afternoon for Sunday games. We’ll advise on ground closures as soon as we can through the website, Facebook and Twitter.
If we’re playing away, the home club will notify us that games are cancelled, then we’ll notify you through the usual channels (it just sometimes takes a little longer).
If grounds are open, but the ground manager of the home club makes a decision that it is unsafe to play on the day, he or she can cancel play.
Please be aware that on game day, individual teams cannot make a decision to cancel because of the weather. If the team doesn’t turn up, it is counted as a forfeit. There are other teams, umpires, grounds managers and canteen volunteers all waiting for you.
If you just don’t know whether or not the game is on, please go to the ground anyway. The gumboots, umbrellas and raincoats may be a hassle, but playing in the wet can be a fun or, at the very least, memorable experience for your child!
