Lightning presents a real risk of death or serious injury to outdoor sports participants.
Lightning presents a real risk of death or serious injury to outdoor sports participants. It accounts for around 10 deaths and over 100 injuries in Australia each year.
Lightning does not need to directly strike a person to cause death or serious injury.
A person touching, or losing to, an object struck by lightning may be affected by a side-flash or transferred energy (for example, being within 20m of a tree struck by lightning is considered to be in the lethal zone).
Participants must not let the desire to start or complete a match or training session hinder their judgment when the safety of players, coaches, or spectators is at risk.
A Club should always adhere to their governing bodies’ Policy.
Football NSW – Lightning Policy
Northern NSW – Lightning Policy
For safety information about lightning, please visit the following links
Football Australia Lightning Policy guidelines here
Football Victoria weather conditions guidelines here
Football NSW Lightning Policy PDF here
Football Northern NSW Lightning Policy PDF here