Air Quality & Hot Weather Warning – 19th December 2019
AIR QUALITY
Football NSW strongly recommends that all football activities in Sydney, Blue Mountains, Illawarra and other areas affected by poor air quality be postponed or cancelled today for the health and safety of participants or alternative indoor activities organised.
Due to the HAZARDOUS AQI levels across many parts of Sydney and surrounds and other parts of NSW, everyone in affected areas, regardless of their health, should cut back on any outdoor physical activity. The air quality (AQI) readings in many parts of Sydney are currently sitting at Hazardous (200+) with South West Sydney currently showing an AQI level of 2831, and with the air quality in most areas expected to worsen with hot temperatures, increased winds and ongoing fire activity in the Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains and the Wollondilly and other areas, the health and safety of all players, volunteers, officials and spectators must be a priority.
Check the Air Quality in your Area
- Step 1 Go to the EPA Air Quality Index website (https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/air-quality/current-air-quality)
- Step 2 View the area/suburb list and scroll down to the nearest suburb or area to your club’s location
- Step 3 The last two columns on the right show the air quality readings for the area selected.
HOT WEATHER
Temperatures in Sydney and other areas across the state are forecast reach 45°C today with authorities warning that people need to take necessary actions to keep cool and avoid over heating and reduce their exposure to smoky air. NSW Health advises that hot weather combined with poor air quality are a recipe for severe illness unless people take precautions.
In accordance with the FNSW Hot Weather Policy cancellation or postponement of games, training, trials and other physical activities is recommended at ambient temperatures of:
Adults – at 37°C
Youth – at 32°C
In the event that a Club or Association decides to proceed with football activities, parents and/or players should make their own decision about whether they participate and Clubs and Associations must not penalise anyone who chooses not to attend due to health concerns.
DURING THE CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY PERIOD
The air quality in Sydney and other parts of the state is likely to remain at very poor to hazardous over the coming weeks if the current fire situations continue as predicted. During this time all clubs and associations will need to check and monitor the AQI readings for their area and make appropriate decisions at that time regarding cancellation or postponement of trials, training and games, subject to local conditions. It is the strong recommendation of FNSW that where readings are in the Very Poor or Hazardous levels that football activities be postponed or cancelled or alternative indoor activities arranged.
Further Information
The Impact of Poor Air Quality and High Temperatures on the Football Player
What Is the Air Quality Index?
