When does weather impact soccer for Kincardine?
In general, soccer plays in the rain and when it is warm/hot out. We strive for kids to play the game, rain or shine.
Some factors that might influence that are:
- Municipality closes the fields due to excessive rain
- a League cancels all games for the day
- storms or weather fronts with thunder & lightning
- extreme heat where health officials recommend no outside activities
- Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) where due to smoke from fires or other factors to the air is deemed not safe for outdoor activities such as soccer.
Weather is not always the same across all areas where are teams play, so some games may still go on in one area where the weather is playable but not in another area. Stay in contact with your coach, who is in contact with the KMS coach coordinator, who is a member of the KMS Executive Board who will be monitoring.
The final decision for a child playing soccer is with the parent/guardian.
- Canada Soccer Lightning Safety and Extreme Weather Policy
- The safety of players, coaches, management and spectators is the primary concern in any weather event that occurs during all matches sanctioned by the CSA. By understanding and following the below information, the safety of everyone shall be greatly increased. Ultimately the referee has the final say over delaying or restarting a match due to weather. Waiting to stop play or not waiting to start play may result in serious injury or loss of life. Referees are expected to act responsibly when dealing with such events during matches they are controlling.
- Weather for Kincardine
- Kincardine Minor Soccer Weather Policy
Local Kincardine Referees refereeing House League and Lake Shore League are instructed with the following:
Inclement Weather:
- Temp over 28°C will result in 1 mandatory water break at the halfway point in each half (2 water breaks + half time)
- If you hear or see lightning/thunder, please immediately stop the match and inform the players/coaches to seek shelter. U8-U12 will immediately be called off. U15-Adult games may continue if there's a 30 minute period of no lighting or thunder.
- You may play through rain unless it causes a threat or danger to the players or if it creates the fields to be unplayable on.
- Please mark down on the game sheet what time the match was stopped if you call off the game due to inclement weather.
When does Air Quality impact soccer?
Lake Shore League for U12, U15, U18 and Womens
(as per their Rule Book and Operational Manual)
11.8. Lakeshore Inclement Weather and Air Quality Policy:
To ensure player safety teams will follow the direction of Game Officials regarding inclement weather. Game Officials will determine before the start of the game whether water breaks are necessary. Game Officials will also have final say whether the game should be canceled due to inclement weather as outlined by the criteria listed below.
- Thunder and Lightning:
- 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.
- Get to a safe place. A safe location is a fully enclosed building with wiring and plumbing. Sheds, picnic shelters, tents or covered porches do NOT protect you from lightning. If no sturdy building is close by, get into a metal-roofed vehicle and close all the windows.
- When considering resumption of any athletics activity, wait at least thirty (30) minutes after the last flash of lightning or sound of thunder before returning to the field.
- WARNING LEVELS for Severe Weather:
Environment Canada Range of Humidex & Temperature
- Caution: mandatory water breaks when Humidex of 30-39°C and 28°-30°C Temp.
- Dangerous: Cancellation of Game when Humidex of 40°C+ and 31°C+ Temp.
- WARNING LEVELS for Air Quality:
- Caution: games will be played under a Caution if the expected air quality in a hosting town is as follows - Air Quality Index (AQI) between 5 and 6. Additional water breaks are mandatory and the game official may abandon a game early if the air quality becomes worse.
- Dangerous: games will be Cancelled if the expected air quality in a hosting town is as follows - Air Quality Index (AQI) of 7 or higher.
Note: The League holds final say whether a game will be cancelled due to the Humidex, Temperature and Air Quality levels being exceeded. An email will be sent out by the League and a message posted on the League website by 4pm to all Division Convenors, Head Referees, and Coaches who are on the League’s weather/air quality advisory email list.