Football Federation Australia (FFA) can today advise that it has made several changes to Hyundai A-League, Westfield W-League, and FOXTEL Y-League scheduling this weekend in response to high forecast temperatures across Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, and New South Wales.
“Changes to Hyundai A-League, Westfield W-League, and FOXTEL Y-League scheduling have been made with the interests of the players and match officials, as well as supporters and club staff in mind,” said Head of Hyundai A-League & Westfield W-League, Greg O’Rourke. “The safety and comfort of players, as well as those working at or attending FFA sanctioned matches, is of paramount importance to FFA.”
Hyundai A-League:
Saturday’s Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Season Round 14 fixture between Melbourne Victory and Central Coast Mariners at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong is now scheduled to kick-off at 6.00pm instead of 5.35pm.
The ambient temperature in Geelong is forecast to drop significantly between 6.00pm and 7.00pm on Saturday, while the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) test that FFA uses to determine player safety is predicted to be well under the limit by the revised kick-off time.
Should the ambient temperature in Geelong remain above 31 degrees Celsius at kick-off on Saturday, match officials will implement one (1) or more official drinks break per half.
Meanwhile, the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Round 14 match between Melbourne City FC and Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park on Saturday evening will remain as scheduled, as the temperature in Melbourne is forecast to drop to an acceptable range before kick-off at 7.50pm.
Melbourne Victory v Central Coast Mariners
Saturday 6 January 2018
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong, Victoria
Kick-off: 6.00pm (AEDT)
Melbourne City FC v Wellington Phoenix
Saturday 6 January 2018
AAMI Park, Melbourne, Victoria
Kick-off: 7.50pm (AEDT)
Westfield W-League:
Melbourne City FC’s Westfield W-League 2017/18 Season Round 10 home match against Perth Glory FC on Saturday 6 January 2018 has been moved to Sunday 7 January 2018. This match, which was previously scheduled to be played at AAMI Park at 5.00pm, will now be played at City Football Academy in Bundoora. Kick-off will be at 4.30pm.
Meanwhile, FFA is proposing to delay the kick-off time of Canberra United’s Westfield W-League 2017/18 Season Round 10 home match against Adelaide United at McKellar Park on Sunday 7 January 2018. FFA is awaiting confirmation from the venue and will advise the kick-off time on Thursday.
Melbourne City FC v Perth Glory FC
Sunday 7 January 2018
City Football Academy, Bundoora, Victoria
Kick-off: 4.30pm (AEDT)
Canberra United v Adelaide United
Sunday 7 January 2018
McKellar Park, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Kick-off: TBC
FOXTEL Y-League:
Western Sydney Wanderers FC’s FOXTEL Y-League 2017/18 Round 7 home match against Central Coast Mariners at Popondetta Park on Saturday 6 January 2018 will now be delayed by two and half hours and kick-off at 7.00pm instead of 4.30pm.
Meanwhile, Newcastle Jets’ FOXTEL Y-League 2017/18 Round 7 home match against Sydney FC at No.2 Sportsground on Sunday 7 January 2018 will also now be delayed by two and half hours and kick-off at 7.00pm instead of 4.30pm.
Western Sydney Wanderers FC v Central Coast Mariners
Saturday 6 January 2018
Popondetta Park, Emerton, New South Wales
Kick-off: 7.00pm
Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC
Sunday 7 January 2018
No.2 Sportsground, Newcastle, New South Wales
Kick-off: 7.00pm
