Below we have outlined what steps to take for the most common weather situations. However, the bottom line is to use your common sense. Our first priority is the safety of our players and volunteers. We make every effort to play games. The question of whether it is safe enough to play a game is up to the Referee.
Coaches, unless the city closes fields, the decision to practice is completely up to you. Even if fields are open, you can decide what is best for your team. (But if the city closes fields, then you must comply.) For games, always assume we are playing unless the city closes fields.
Field Closures
Heartwell Park is a city field. The city controls whether fields are closed or not. On weekdays, the city usually notifies us around 2pm if fields are closed. On weekends, they usually tell us in the morning by 8am.
If the city closes fields for any type of inclement weather conditions, we will email families as soon as we find out and will post to social media.
PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL THE REGION ASKING IF FIELDS ARE CLOSED. WE WILL LET YOU KNOW AS SOON AS WE KNOW. It is up to the city, not us.
🥵 Excessive Heat
If heat gets to levels that are clearly dangerous to players, we will send out an email to cancel practices. Or if the city closes fields, we will send out an email as soon we find out. If no such email is received, then Head Coaches please use your best judgement -- if the weather is over 95 or 97, especially at the youngest ages, you should probably cancel practice. If you choose to practice, be sure to take extra breaks, and remind players to bring lots of water.
🌧️ Rain
Yes! We play in the rain. Yes, we play on wet grass and muddy fields sometimes. Bring a towel. Bring an umbrella.
If the field conditions are hazardous the city will close fields (see above Field Closures section). For games, assume you are playing unless you hear otherwise. For practices, unless the city closes fields, then the decision to practice in the rain is up to the Head Coach.
🌩️ Lightning and Thunder
If you hear thunder or see lightning, you must suspend all outdoor soccer activities for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes of no lightning or thunder, you may resume. This is true for both games and practices. However, if the game suspension goes on too long, the region may decide to cancel the games. If the city closes fields, we will send out emails to all families.
🔥 Smoke / Air Quality
If the city closes fields due to smokey or poor air quality, we will email all families. For practices, the decision to practice or not is at the discretion of the Head Coach.