AIR QUALITY WARNING & ALTERNATIVE TRAINING OPTIONS – Thursday 5 December 2019
The air quality across the wider Sydney region and many parts of NSW today and over the coming days is forecast to remain at VERY POOR to HAZARDOUS due to a high level of smoke and air particles from the many bushfires across the state.
Football NSW therefore strongly recommends that football activities in affected areas are postponed or cancelled for the health and safety of participants or alternative training options organised.
As this notice is relevant to all of NSW including areas where fires are not present, clubs and organisers are responsible for checking and monitoring conditions in their area and making decisions based on local air quality conditions. If the fire situation in Sydney and other parts of NSW continues into the coming weeks as predicted for some areas, this advice shall apply until the situation improves.
MONITORING AIR QUALITY IN YOUR AREA
Step 1 Go to Current Air Quality website (www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/air/current-air-quality)
Step 2 On the map find the area nearest to the venue location and click on the box that shows the current reading (i.e. Visibility, Particles).
Step 3 A list of areas and suburbs will appear. In the list of scroll down to the nearest suburb or area to the venue location.
Step 4 The last columns on the right show the latest air quality readings for the area or suburb selected.
(Note: PM 10 = course particles e.g. dust and ash. PM 2.5 = fine particles e.g. smoke)
For further information or to report a problem with the Air Quality website, phone NSW Environment on 131 555.
Where a Club or Association decides to proceed with football activities, parents and/or players should make their own decision about whether they should participate and Clubs and Associations must not penalise anyone who chooses not to attend due to health concerns.
Further Information
The Impact of Poor Air Quality and High Temperatures on the Football Player
