No fixture, training session or tournament is more important than the health and safety of our young people.
All Clubs, Team Officials, Coaches and Match Officials must assess conditions before activity begins and continue to review them throughout the day. This includes the temperature, direct sun, humidity, access to shade, water supply and the suitability of the playing surface, particularly on 3G pitches.
Heat-Health Alerts and Weather Warnings
Where a Yellow, Amber or Red Heat-Health Alert, or a Met Office weather warning, is in place, Clubs must take additional precautions.
When to Adapt or Postpone Activity
Children should not take part in vigorous activity on very hot days. Where temperatures are expected to reach or exceed 30°C, training and matches should be postponed, rescheduled to a cooler part of the day, or significantly adapted.
On 3G pitches, surface temperatures can become excessive even where the air temperature appears manageable. Conditions must be assessed at the venue.
The Match Referee has the final authority on whether a fixture can safely continue or should be delayed, abandoned or postponed. Player welfare is the priority - always.
Before and During Activity
Clubs and teams should ensure that:
Recognising Heat Illness
Watch for signs of heat exhaustion, including tiredness, dizziness, headache, nausea, cramps, excessive sweating, pale or clammy skin, thirst, irritability or unusual behaviour.
Stop activity immediately if a player appears unwell. Move them to a cool or shaded area, remove unnecessary clothing, give cool fluids if they are able to drink, and cool their skin with water, a fan, cool towels or wrapped cold packs.
Call 999 immediately if a player is confused, has a seizure, loses consciousness, has very hot skin without sweating, or does not improve within 30 minutes.
Parents and carers should ensure their child arrives with appropriate water, sun protection and clothing. Coaches should reinforce the key messages throughout the day: drink regularly, use shade, wear sunscreen and speak up early if feeling unwell.
No result is worth a heat-related illness.