FFA responds to heat on high temperature policy

Following comments from A-League side Wellington Phoenix, the FFA released a statement regarding the staging of Sunday's W-League match.

"All Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League matches are played under the FFA Heat Policy, which is an agreed policy that offers a framework to ensure matches are played well within worlds best practice health and safety standards,” said an FFA spokesperson.

“The FFA Heat Policy clearly states that drinks breaks should be implemented if the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) reaches 26 degrees and there should be consideration of delays and postponement if the WBGT reaches 28. The FFA Heat Policy offers greater consideration to players welfare than the FIFA policy and that of most other sports around the world."

The WetBulb Globe Temperature measures heat stress based on temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover.

“In line with FFA’s Heat Policy both clubs were informed throughout the week of the forecast WBGT for Adelaide on Sunday to ensure the players were professionally prepared.

“The WBGT reading before the match on Sunday in Adelaide was 25.6. Despite this, Head of Westfield W-League Greg O’Rourke, who was at the match, consulted both Team Doctors and it was agreed to insert drinks breaks into the match as a further sign of FFA’s interest in player welfare. This was all agreed and acknowledged by both teams."

In both matches there were two drinks breaks (every 15 minutes) in each half.