The safety of players, team personnel and spectators is the primary concern during all FC Durham Academy (FCD) events. Given the number of games in our schedule and the limited availability of fields, it is extremely difficult to reschedule or replay games which are cancelled or suspended due to weather or field conditions. Therefore, every effort will be made to proceed with scheduled games RAIN or SHINE, as long as it is safe to do so.
WEATHER NOTIFICATIONS & FIELD CLOSURES
FCD permits many of its fields from the City of Oshawa and/or University of Ontario Technology (UOIT) and are subject to Field Closure policies. The City of Oshawa or UOIT may close the fields in the event of heavy rainfall or other field related issues at some parks and not at others. If the fields are closed by the City or UOIT, games that are affected will be rescheduled. When weather could be an issue, games may be cancelled by the Academy the day of.
NO NOTICE OF CANCELLATION
The decision to start (or not start) and continue (or not continue) a game will be made at the field. These decisions are the responsibility of the most senior Match Official present at the field, and such decisions are final. Match Officials are expected to act responsibly when dealing with such events during matches they are controlling and are encouraged to err on the side of caution in all situations. Waiting to stop play or not waiting to start play may result in a serious injury or loss of life.
For games that do not have a Match Official, the decision of removing a team or individuals from the field in the event of dangerous and imminent lightning activity is on the Coach (Game Leader) supervising the activity.
Regardless of the decisions made by the organization, the Match Official or the Coach (Game Leader) as to playing in inclement weather, all participants (and/or their guardians) have the right to abandon any game or training, without fear of repercussion or penalty, to seek a safe location if they feel they are in danger from weather conditions or lightning.
WHEN THUNDER ROARS, GO INDOORS!
FCD follows the Canada Soccer Lightning Safety/Severe Weather Policy. If you can hear thunder, you can get hit by lightning. As soon as you hear thunder, quickly get to a safe location. More people are struck before and after a thunderstorm than during one. Stay inside for 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder.
LIGHTNING SAFETY
FCD advocates the following recommendations on lightning safety for all outdoor activities:
- Stay away from tall or individual trees, lone objects (e.g., light or flag poles), metal objects (e.g., metal fences or bleachers), standing pools of water, and open fields. Avoid being the tallest object in a field. Do not take shelter under a single tall tree.
- Do not use a land-line phone or any electrical equipment.
- Get to a safe place – a safe location is a fully enclosed building with wiring and plumbing.
- If there is no safe place as in #3, any vehicle with a hard metal roof, rolled up windows can provide a measure of safety.
- If there is no safe shelter as in #3 or #4 within a reasonable distance, crouch in a thick grove of small trees surrounded by taller trees or in a dry ditch. Crouching with only your feet touching the ground and keeping your feet close together, wrap your arms around your knees and lower your head to minimize your body's surface area. Do not lie flat!
- If you feel your hair stand on end or your skin tingle or hear crackling noises, immediately crouch (as in No. 3) to minimize your body surface area.
- Allow 30 minutes to pass after the last sound of thunder or flash of lightning before resuming any activity.
- Lightning strike victims do not carry an electrical charge. CPR is safe for the responder and has been shown to be effective in reviving lightning strike victims.
- Pay much more attention to the lightning threat than to the rain. It need not be raining for lightning to strike.
With the information and background on lightning presented in this policy, all participants can make an intelligent and safe decision regarding the removal of a team or individuals from a field or the stopping of play during dangerous thunderstorm activity. In addition, any individuals who feel they are in danger of any lightning activity have the right to leave a field or event site to seek safe shelter.