This year’s persistent rainfall has greatly affected sports grounds, including those used by Wentworth Falls Football Club. The fields are waterlogged and unable to drain properly, leading to closures and the cancellation or rescheduling of many fixtures for the 2024 Winter season.
Key factors in assessing field conditions during wet weather include surface water, ground softness, and recent rainfall. Fields are usually closed if water is visible, the ground is saturated, or there has been significant rainfall. However, some fields with better drainage may remain open, and minor affected areas might occasionally be exceptions.
Roles and Responsibilities in Field Management
Addressing these challenges requires thoughtful strategies from all decision-makers, focusing on player safety, field preservation, and game enjoyment.
The Blue Mountains City Council manages and maintains sports grounds within its area, conducting regular assessments, especially after heavy rain. To prevent damage, the Council may close fields, as playing on saturated surfaces can harm the grass and soil, create uneven surfaces, and lead to hazardous conditions requiring costly repairs.
Sometimes, fields are marked “Open at Clubs’ Discretion,” meaning the Council hasn’t mandated closure, but clubs must decide based on their inspections whether conditions are suitable for play. In these cases, clubs are responsible for evaluating field conditions and ensuring player safety. It is important to note that at times, weather can change after Council’s inspections, in turn changing the ground status.
At Wentworth Falls Football Club, our dedicated volunteer committee members handle field closure decisions. These volunteers thoroughly inspect the playing surfaces, their primary concern always being the safety and well-being of our players.. When the club closes the grounds, it means the fields are deemed unsafe and unplayable. Wet conditions can also impair gameplay by affecting ball control, slowing movement, disrupting passing accuracy, and diminishing enjoyment for players and spectators. It is important to note that rain does not always determine ground closures; rather, it is the condition of the fields that matters most.
Referees from the Nepean Referee Group play a crucial role in ensuring player safety during matches. They can abandon or cancel matches if conditions become unsafe, even after a game has started. Referees assess field conditions before and during matches, making real-time decisions based on their observations.
In cases of wet weather or ground closures, the Nepean Football Association provides guidance and support, but the final decision on ground closures rests with individual clubs like ours. When we determine that a ground is unplayable, we notify the NFA, which then manages game cancellations or relocations. Please note that after we contact Nepean about closures, it may take some time for this to be reflected in DRIBL.
Managing Game Rescheduling for Younger Age Groups
Due to logistical constraints, the NFA often limits rescheduling games for younger age groups (U6 to U11), prioritising higher age groups where fixtures are more competitive and require structured management. WFFC acknowledges and understands that continuous washout of games can negatively affect our kids enthusiasm and love of the game. This can be frustrating for both parents and players. However, clubs are encouraged by NFA to arrange friendly games with other clubs if possible, depending on space and facility availability. Several opposing clubs have already contacted our WFFC teams to find creative rescheduling solutions for our Non-Competitive teams. We encourage our members, coaches, and managers to reach out proactively to other clubs to explore these opportunities. This approach ensures that all players continue to have opportunities for play despite the challenges posed by field conditions. All football-related opportunities outside of the Association rely on WFFC member volunteers to run them. These activities will be organised based on the club’s capabilities, and we may approach teams from time to time to assist with their organisation.
Maintenance and Improvement Efforts
Maintaining and improving our sports fields is crucial for player safety and the long-term sustainability of our facilities. Wentworth Falls Football Club hosts competitions at Pitt Park in both Winter and Summer seasons.
At Wentworth Falls Football Club, our collective efforts with the Blue Mountains City Council have made significant progress in field maintenance. We’ve focused on crucial tasks like topsoil application and reseeding of Pitt Park’s Midi 1 and Field 1.
To build on this progress, we are actively pursuing grants from government agencies, private foundations, and corporate sponsors. These grants support major upgrades and require detailed proposals outlining the benefits and financial needs of our projects. We are also seeking passionate and dedicated committee members to lead these initiatives. By joining in maintenance activities and supporting grant applications, every member contributes to enhancing the quality and longevity of our sports facilities, benefiting our entire community.
For further information or to get involved, please reach out to our Club President, Isabel Arnaiz directly.
We welcome your enquiries and invite you to join us.