SOCCER SCORCHER
Heat on for A-League clash and local events
A-LEAGUE will meet today to discuss what, if any, aspects of Football Federation Australia’s heat policy will be enforced during Geelong’s highly-anticipated Victory game on Saturday.
Temperatures are expected to reach 41C on Saturday as a predicted crowd of more than 25,000 people pack GMHBA Stadium for the Melbourne Victory versus Central Coast Mariners clash.
Scorching conditions could see the game and a series of other scheduled A-League and W-League matches across Victoria shifted to later in the day, moved to different venues, or postponed.
Under FFA’s heat policy, special Wet Bulb Globe Temperature thermometers are used to measure heat and humidity at the ground and how these conditions will impact players. WBGT temperatures between 26C and 27.9C would see a 90 second drinks breaks implemented each half, while a WBGT of 28C or higher would see the game postponed or delayed.
“If there is a risk to player or match official safety then matches will be delayed or postponed at the discretion of the head of the Hyundai A- League and Westfield WLeague in consultation with both clubs and the host broadcaster,” an FFA spokesman said.
Victory are due to host Central Coast in Geelong at 5.35pm. Shifting the game back into the night could be problematic, meaning the match would likely clash with Melbourne City’s 7.50pm AAMI Park game against Wellington Phoenix. Rescheduling the clash may impact crowd numbers too, with thousands of holiday-makers on the Surf Coast expected to flock to Saturday’s game.
The A-League makes decisions around kick-off times in consultation with host broadcasters Fox Sports and Channel Ten.
Kardinia Park Stadium Trust chief executive officer Michael Brown said more than 25,000 people were expected to attend the highly anticipated game.
“The Trust is and will continue to monitor weather closely in association with our business partners. The Trust will intact the stadium Extreme Weather Policy if and as required during this major event period.”
Major Geelong sporting events have been plagued with weather-related issues. Organisers said wet weather robbed November’s Matildas versus China clash of a few thousand soccer spectators. Poor conditions also led to fewer numbers at last year’s Geelong international cricket T20 last February.
After the Matilda’s match, a frustrated Mr Brown said org- anisers were left feeling “jinxed” by the weather. “I just think we’re jinxed,” he said.
“We see a lot of AFL here which is a fabulous sport and does really well but when we get a chance to bring other sports you just want to have nice weather to showcase them,” he said.
Meanwhile, organisers of other sporting events across the region are putting contingency plans in place for Saturday.
Organisers of the Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club Rip to River Festival will continue to monitor the forecast in the lead up to the event. If conditions are deemed extreme the event may be cancelled and rescheduled, while a hot conditions rating may leave competitors completing a short, reformatted race.
Danger 1000 Ocean Swim Series event director Brad Papworth said organisers were working with Surf Coast Shire and the CFA. He said the event would only be cancelled if it was deemed unsafe to go ahead.