Determining the temperature
The following shall be adopted when extremely hot conditions are expected to prevail on VFL or TAC Cup practice and in‐season match days.
In the event that the temperature is considered likely to be greater than 32°C at:
a. the scheduled commencement of a match, or
b. during the course of a match,
Metro Areas
One of the officiating field umpires shall contact the weather bureau to determine the current temperature in the area where the match is to be played and convey those details to the State Director of Umpiring Mr. Kevin Mitchell who will provide direction.
Country Areas
One of the officiating field umpires is to contact the State Director of Umpiring Mr. Kevin Mitchell who will in turn make contact with the weather bureau (restricted number) to determine the current temperature closest to the match location and then convey those details back to the umpire concerned who in turn if necessary will implement the policy as outlined below
PLEASE NOTE: Should the home club for both metro and country areas have some form of temperature reading device that can be used at ground level, that reading can be accepted as the current temperature on the oval.
Policy Process
1. Temperature equal to, or greater than 36°C at the scheduled commencement of the game
a. A VFL or TAC Cup match shall not commence if the temperature at the scheduled commencement time is equal to or exceeds 36°C.
b. If the temperature has not dropped below 36°C within 30 minutes of the scheduled commencement time of the match, the match shall be cancelled.
2. Temperature between 32 and below 36°C at the scheduled commencement of the game
a. All quarters are to be reduced to 18 minutes plus time on duration.
b. Umpires may increase the length of the stoppage following a goal to allow additional player/umpire hydration.
c. The quarter and three quarter time breaks shall be increased to 10 minutes, with the teams and umpires able to leave the field during the breaks if so desired.
d. The half time break shall be increased to 25 minutes.
e. The competing clubs shall be permitted to increase the number of interchange players by up to 2 additional players, providing that each team can add an equal number of player(s).
f. If the temperature exceeds 36°C during the match, the match shall be halted. If the temperature does not drop below 36°C within 30 minutes of the game being halted, the match shall be discontinued and the result determined per the AFL Laws of the Game (Law 10.6.2).
3. Temperature below 32°C at the scheduled commencement of the game but dramatically increases during the game
a. If the temperature is between 32 and 36°C clauses c), d) and e) from section 2 (above) shall apply.
b. If the temperature exceeds 36°C during the match, the match shall be halted. If the temperature does not drop below 36°C within 30 minutes of the game being halted, the match shall be discontinued and the result determined per the AFL Laws of the Game (Law 10.6.2).
Last Modified on 05/01/2010 15:57