SAPL Hot Weather Policy
For the health and safety of players and officials, SAPL events will be cancelled and rescheduled (if possible) when dangerously hot weather is forecast.
This policy will come into effect on any occasion that the maximum temperature is expected to be 36°C or higher. The decision will be based on the forecast for the location of the scheduled venue, issued by the Bureau of Meteorology three days before the event. Ordinarily, for a Sunday fixture, this will be the forecast current at 7pm on the prior Thursday.
In borderline cases, where the forecast is close to 36°, an event may also be cancelled if the risk of oppressive conditions is deemed to be too great, taking into account factors such as cloud cover, humidity, wind, the availability of shade at the venue and any prevailing weather trends which could potentially change the forecast. In these circumstances, a decision will be made by the Tournament Director after consultation with executive officers of the SAPL and the host club.
As an alternative to cancellation, in borderline cases, consideration will also be given to the possibility of modifying the format to reduce the number of games, if feasible, or to shortening the duration of timed games and thus providing longer breaks between games. Lane allocations could also be modified to avoid the sunniest areas.
Finally, as a last resort, the League also reserves the right to terminate an event that is already underway if the conditions are deemed to be too dangerous. In accordance with Article 36 of the international rules of the game, any decision to do so would be made by the supervising umpire after consultation with a jury comprised of the Tournament Director and SAPL committee members.
Approved by SAPL committee – 11 Dec., 2025