Match Day
In the event of lightning being present during the course of a VFL or TAC Cup practice or in‐season match, the following procedure is to occur:‐
Upon being satisfied that lightning is present in the immediate proximity of the match venue, the field umpires shall stop play and begin to leave the playing surface to return to their umpires’ room whilst directing players and officials to do the same.
Policy Process
1. Once in the security of their rooms one of the officiating field umpires shall contact the appropriate VFL Football Operations Manager and/or State Director of Umpiring as soon as possible to inform them of the situation.
2. The VFL Football Operations Manager and/or the State Director of Umpiring shall make contact with the Severe Weather Expert at the Victorian Bureau of Meteorology and seek advice as to when the storm is expected to clear the proximity of the match venue.
3. The VFL Football Operations Manager and/or the State Director of Umpiring shall relay the information from the Severe Weather Expert to the umpires, and such information is to be used as a guide to determine the appropriate time to resume the match.
4. The field umpires, following discussions with the appropriate VFL Football Operations Manager and/or the State Director of Umpiring and team managers (TAC Cup) or captains (VFL) shall determine when the match is to recommence.
5. Umpires and managers (TAC Cup) or captains (VFL) are to then complete a “VFL Resumption of Match” form to indicate that all parties have agreed to recommence the match.
6. If the match is postponed or halted for a period greater than 30 minutes, the match shall be deemed incomplete and the match results are determined per the AFL Laws of the Game (10.6.2).
NOTE: The VFL Football Operations Manager (or his/her representative) may determine to extend this 30 minute limitation should he/she deem appropriate to do so; such information is to be relayed to the umpires in a timely manner.
Last Modified on 05/01/2010 15:55