Winter Weather's on its way - how to find out what's on / off !

As winter weather is forecast to arrive and the temperature drops it time for all players and parents to to be aware of arrangements for cancellations and communications, often at short notice, if we have adverse weather impacting hockey (training and matches>

The good news is that we only usually cancel matches for frozen, snow covered or flooded pitches, or if routes to away games are adversely affected by weather and all league matches are rearranged !

This season the club is testing the use of ATP approved salt on the pitches to help prevent them freezing -particuarly alongt he golf course side of the pitches. We're hopefuly that with a crytal ball, some good reading of the forecast weather and the opportunity to get the salt down that we will reduce the amount of hockey impacted by frozen pitches. So watch this space !

The photo with this article was taken just after 2.30pm on Sat 9th November 2013 when the club was hit by a freak hail storm that covered the pitches in 10 minutes and wiped out all games ! So sometimes no one can predict the weather !

HOW WE COMMUNICATE THC WEATHER UPDATES !

Decisions usually have to be communicated quickly and therefore we try as far as is practicable to make information available - but we do need players and parents to proactively check for updates

We will usually get messages / information out to senior teams and the academy using:

- club website
- twitter
- facebook
- captains (teamer, whats app or text groups)
- pitchero message and email in some circumstances

If in doubt contact your captain or team manager to check - or call the club on 0161 980 4397 who can advise on the home games (but not away games)

If pitches have been declared unfit in line with the TSC Unfit Pitch Policy players, coaches and captains can not over rule this decision and decide to use the pitches.

TRAINING

On mid week training nights coaches will decide if outdoor sessions will be replaced with sessions in the clubhouse, this may be on video, tactics etc if the pitches are confirmed as unfit.

The Club staff will usually try and make the decision by 6pm at the latest if the weather is doubtful. Usually the decision is made earlier. Occasionally we will cancel Academy training and matches if there is a very cold wind chill or adverse weather, even if the pitches are fit.

We will try and get updates out about any cancellations (training or matches home and away) due to unfit pitches as soon as practicably possible to let players, parents, umpires and spectators know the state of play. Please help us by checking for updates if the weather looks doubtful (see above) and save unnecessary journeys.

Sunday Academy training - the same communication channels will be used and is there is an early cancellation in bad weather an academy email will also be send if possible to do so

Players of all ages are reminded that as it gets colder to wear appropriate layers for training and come prepared with wet weather gear is raining and ideally a bag to keep clothes dry in - remember drinks too for hydration whatever the weather. If unsure coaches can advise. Its fine to wear hats too !

MATCH DAYS

On match days captains or managers will try to get messages out to players/parents and umpires as quickly as they can. But do help them by checking Teamer updates, What's App groups, Text and Emails. We'll also get updates out via the website, twitter and facebook as quickly as possible.

For home games (and training) we follow the TSC Policy on Unfit Pitch Decision Making and this sets out a single process including who can make the decision if the pitches are fit or not. Even after pitches have been declared fit - it the weather deteriorates during the game Umpires may decide a game has to abandoned. The primary consideration relates to the health and safety of the users.

For Away games captains are in contact with the opposition and usually agree that a pitch inspection will take place prior to the THC team leaving the club. If you are travelling direct please ensure you keep in contact with your captain / manager to check the game is still on before setting off.

For any cancelled games Hannah Ascott / Kieran Jeffery out Fixtures Secretary will work with Captains / Managers to find a time for rearranged games. Captains need to work with Hannah so she can co-ordinate all requests and then work with TSC to agree pitch allocations. Teams should not go direct to TSC to try and book pitches without going via Hannah. Rearranged matches need to also be in line with the relevant league rules.

Captains, managers and coaches will be provided with more specific details about the process for determining if home pitches are fit or not and who can make the decision.

Lets hope we don't have too bad a winter and that we don't loose too many games to Jack Frost or Snow !

Wrap up warm and enjoy !