EDCC SunSmart Policy

EDCC adheres to the following guidelines in accordance with recommendations outlined by Cricket Australia, SunSmart and Sport Medicine Australia to ensure the safety and wellbeing of players’ and officials in relation to heat, hydration, and sun protection practices.

HEAT:

  • Players’ health is the primary consideration when scheduling and/or the playing of matches during extreme climatic conditions.
  • EDCC will apply common sense guidelines to climatic conditions and will cease play under conditions that may be deemed dangerous to players and officials.
  • For children and adolescents, cricket activities will be postponed or cancelled if the temperature reaches the temperature designated by EDCC.

HYDRATION:

  • No single recommendation on the volume of fluid to be consumed is appropriate due to the differences in age, body composition, fitness, and varying levels of acclimatisation by players. It is therefore up to the Coach, Team Manager, and players themselves to be responsible to act appropriately to protect players from dehydration.
  • Regular and effective drinking practices should become habitual to all players at EDCC before, during and after activity.
  • Drinks breaks will occur every 30-60 minutes during matches (30 minutes in extreme conditions).
  • Water is the most appropriate drink for re-hydration, however diluted cordial or sports drinks may be supplied. Soft drinks are not recommended.
  • Drinks will to be made available to individual players on request between drinks breaks, but these are to be taken quickly and not unduly hold up play.
  • Players will be encouraged to have their own drink bottles, as this will reduce the risk of contamination and viruses.
  • Where cups and a large container are supplied, cups should not be dipped into the container. Used cups are to be washed before reuse or discarded.
  • Players are not to share cups.

SUN PROTECTION:

  • Appropriate clothing is recommended for all cricketers and umpires - light coloured, loose fitting clothing, preferably with a high SPF rating that protects the skin against sun damage.
  • Long sleeve playing shirts are highly recommended.
  • It is recommended that players and officials wear a broad brimmed hat whenever possible.
  • We encourage the use of appropriate sports sunglasses by players and umpires to protect eyes from sun glare.
  • Sunscreen with an SPF of 30+ is to be used by players and officials at the commencement of a game/practice session and reapplied regularly throughout play.
  • When watching games players, officials and supporters should position themselves in shaded areas.