Weather Related Match Cancellations
It is the policy of the club to play through rain whenever possible. It is difficult re-scheduling games with other teams so as long none of the 3 conditions below apply to the field environment we will work to play the match as scheduled. If a match is cancelled,
later that week the ORVFC Home Team Manager will communicate with the ORVFC Field Assignor, Visiting Team and their own team to identify a time to re-schedule. The ORVFC Field Assignor will coordinate with the ORVFC Referee Assignor to insure referee availability for the match.
The following situations would predicate a cancellation of a match:
Condition 1
There has been a huge amount of rain prior to the game and the field is flooded. Playing on the field will result in possible long-term damage to the grass or potential injury to the players
Condition 2
There is lightning that is sighted from the field and it looks like it will be continuing through the start of the match
Condition 3
There is an intense downpour of rain with wind such that it makes it difficult to play safely and avoid injury to the players.
When lightning is sighted…
In the event lightning is sighted while at the field, please remove your players to the nearest cover and wait for 20 minutes. If no further instances of lightning are observed, you may resume playing. If lightning continues, you will need to continue to wait until
there is no visible lightning for 20 minutes. Please do not take any chances here. People are struck by lightning. Please be conservative and safe when at the field.
When to make the decision to cancel…
Condition 1 - 3 hours prior to the match start the ORVFC Lead Coach for the home team should swing by and review the field conditions. If it is determined that Condition 1 exists, the ORVFC Lead Coach will contact the ORVFC Field Coordinator and confer to
identify if there might be a backup field.
If no backup field exists, the ORVFC Lead Coach will then make the decision to cancel the match and call the following to advise …
- Coach or Manager of the visiting team
- ORVFC Referee Assignor
- Home Team Manager to launch the phone tree
Condition 2 and 3 - If 3 hours prior to match start, Condition 2 or 3 exists, then the ORVFC Lead Coach for the home team will contact the Coach of the visiting team to discuss. If the visiting team would like to risk that the lightning and or rain will pass by match start and they are willing to risk traveling to the field then that will be their decision. If the match is cancelled, the ORVFC Coach for the home team will call the following to advise …
- ORVFC Referee Assignor
- ORVFC Field Assignor
- Home Team Manager to launch the phone tree
Weather Related Practice Cancellations
If any of the conditions above apply, please follow the recommended action 1 hour prior to practice start and obviously it is only necessary to contact your own team. Obviously, ORVFC coaches have the latitude to cancel any practice due to other scheduling conflicts as well.