CAQ Adverse Playing Conditions Policy

PURPOSE

The Croquet Association of Queensland (CAQ) acknowledges that it has a duty of care to all players. Therefore this policy has been created to support event planning and event management affected by adverse weather conditions.

Adverse weather conditions include, and are not limited to:

• Thunderstorms and lightning
• Torrential rain and/or hail, including excessive surface water
• High wind
• High temperatures
• High humidity
• Low temperatures/High windchill factor

SCOPE

This policy applies to all CAQ-hosted events, with additional relevance to players and member clubs with relation to training, tournaments, practice & social sessions.

POLICY

This policy covers the responsibilities of officials, players and host venues in ensuring player health and safety with regard to adverse weather conditions.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

• Croquet Australia Adverse Weather Guidelines
• Croquet Australia Extreme Heat Guidelines
• Croquet Australia Tournament Management
• CAQ Tournament Regulations
• CAQ Rescheduled/Cancelled Events Policy

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Tournament Manager is the person with the prime responsibility for the administration of this policy. Venues, officials and players all share the responsibility of maintaining players health and safety.

Venue Managers are responsible for ensuring that temperature and humidity are frequently monitored, shade is available on warmer days, water is provided for player hydration and for the soaking of neck cloths on days of extreme heat.

All officials are responsible for observing any change in the environmental conditions and any apparent change in the health of players. Any change should be advised to the Tournament Manager who, if there is an apparent change in the health of a player, is to check with the affected player.

Players have the prime responsibility for their own health. They should ensure that:

• they maintain a suitable and adequate level of nutrition and hydration before and during the event
• they have suitable and adequate clothing and equipment for all likely conditions, including for: extreme cold (gloves, jumpers, beanie, etc), high wind (wind proof shell clothing), rain (waterproof clothing), and high temperature (hat, suitable clothing, wettable neck scarf, sunscreen, etc.)
• the Tournament Manager should be notified of any medical condition that may affect them or that may be exacerbated by extremes of temperature, high wind, etc.

Players should also be aware of any apparent adverse effects of environmental conditions on other players and bring them to the attention of officials

PROCEDURES

As per relevant guidelines and regulations, as well as individual tournament Conditions of Play, if play is suspended due to adverse weather conditions, the Tournament Manager is to reschedule the non-completed games for a time when the adverse conditions are not a factor, such as late evening, early morning or under lights (if available).

If time does not permit rescheduling, the event is to be cancelled and it is left to the Tournament Manager’s discretion as to whether sufficient games have been played to declare a winner, or whether to refer the matter to the Tournament &/or Events Committees for a decision.

If adverse conditions will affect a player’s health, they have the right, without prejudice, to have their games:

• Postponed to a time when the environmental conditions will not adversely affect them; or,
• Cancelled

Specific Weather Events

Thunderstorms: Play is to be suspended during thunderstorms or when lightning is observed 30 seconds or less before the thunder is heard and is not to be resumed until 30 minutes after the thunder and lightning are separated by more than 30 seconds.

Torrential Rain/Hail: Whilst croquet play can continue during rainfall, play is to be suspended during torrential rain or when hail is falling, with the Tournament Manager or Event Organiser being the person responsible for deciding that the rainfall is 'torrential'.

Excessive Surface Water: If surface water is excessive, including if excessive force is required when striking balls, play is to be suspended.

High Wind: play is to be suspended if extremely high winds present a danger to players from wind-borne debris, or if stationary balls are being moved an appreciable distance.

High Temperatures: CAQ require tournament managers to review expected temperatures for the tournament prior to commencement. If the temperature is expected to exceed 35 degrees, then the event is postponed, delayed or cancelled. Tournament Managers should also take humidity into account. Players are not to be involved in this decision. The responsibility for players welfare sits with the tournament manager and CAQ. If during the event and the temperature increases to close or over 35 degrees, then the current Golf Croquet game is allowed to finish. If the event is an Association game, then a decision will be made to peg down the game.

Low Temperatures/High Windchill Factor While players are required to ensure that they have appropriate clothing for all conditions, in cases of extreme low temperatures or high windchill factor, the Tournament Manager may either suspend or abandon play, at their discretion

Modifications to consider in hot weather

• Reduce or limit intensity or duration of the activity
• Reduce playing time for participants
• Take more breaks and/or extend rest periods

RESPONSIBILITY

The Croquet Association of Queensland Inc. Management Committee is responsible for reviewing and ratifying this policy.

AUTHORIZATION

Croquet Association of Queensland Inc. Management Committee.

Any comments or questions on the Conflicts of Interest Policy should be forwarded to: The Secretary, Croquet Association of Queensland Inc. Ph: 0480 613 711. E-Mail: secretary@croquetqld.org

APPENDIX 1. CAQ Sunsafe Guidelines & Recommendations

Sun Protection Methods

Clothing Where possible CAQ recommends players and officials wear sun-protective clothing such as long sleeve shirts that are made from UPF (UV protection factor) 50+ material.

Sunscreen Players and officials are reminded to ensure that any exposed skin should have SPF 30+ sunscreen always applied. Participants are encouraged to apply sunscreen 20 minutes before being exposed to the UV and reapplying every two hours. Where practical all venues should have SPF 30+ sunscreen available for all members to use.

Hats The wearing of hats is to be encouraged. Preferably wide-brimmed hats are included as part of the team uniform. A wide brimmed hat provides better protection than a cap or visor which do not provide adequate protection to the face, ears and neck

Shade When not involved in an event or between competition, participants should use all available shaded areas. Clubs should provide suitable temporary shade structures for events where there are inadequate permanent facilities

Sunglasses CAQ recommends that players, officials and spectators wear sunglasses that meet Australian Standard for UV protection

Advice to clubs & tournament managers & venue managers

• Encourage members to consult the UV Index Forecast for the area where the activity or event is to take place to determine UV Levels and Sun Protection times. Visit: http://www.bom.gov.au
• Consider the timing of activities and wherever possible schedule events, games and training outside of peak UV times
• When hosting activities that are scheduled during the hotter months, or when hot weather is forecast, are to take precautions to consider if it’s appropriate for the activity (event, training or competition) to continue as planned or if it should be modified, postponed to cooler conditions (or cooler part of the day) or cancelled

Modifications to consider in hot weather

• Reduce or limit intensity or duration of the activity
• Reduce playing time for participants
• Take more breaks and/or extend rest periods
• Consider dividing matches into shorter playing periods to allow for extra breaks
• Increase opportunities to rehydrate during the activity
• Provide extra water for wetting face, clothes and hair (not just to drink) and ice to cool down (not just for injuries)

APPENDIX B. Hot weather play guidelines

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