GSL Extreme Heat Policy – 2025
The Glengarry Soccer League will reschedule games League-wide for U10 and older, where the temperature at the start of play is predicted to be in excess of 37 degrees Celsius or humidex of 39 degrees Celsius at kick-off time for Alexandria, according to Environment Canada (weather.gc.ca). The League will post on FB/email by 4:10pm in regards to the 6:30pm/7pm kick-offs, if the projection is 39 degrees or higher for 7pm. The League will post on FB/email by 6:10pm in regards to the 8:30 pm kick-offs, if the projection is 39 degrees or higher for 9pm. The League may make the call to reschedule games earlier in the day if the Humidex is going to significantly higher than 39 degrees. For games that start on the half hour, we will use the next available projected rating to determine if the game is on. For example, a 6:30pm kick-off time will use the 7:00pm projected Humidex rating to determine whether the game will or will not be played.
Eastern Ontario Soccer League
Air Quality Policy
Policy Statement
Poor air quality can impact the health and performance of outdoor sport participants, including
athletes, coaches and sport officials.EOSL recognizes the potential short and long-term health
effects of engaging in physical activity outdoors when the air quality is poor. EOSL is fully
committed to reducing the risk posed to outdoor sport participants from poor air quality to help
contribute to safer outdoor activities and events.
Purpose and Scope
This Policy aims to increase the safety of all league participants with respect to air quality. To do
this, EOSL will provide its members with evidence-informed strategies to prevent or limit
participants’ exposure to air pollution. The information in this Policy applies to all individuals and
at all times during EOSL events and activities.
Air Quality Awareness
EOSL will make this Policy readily accessible to members on our website, www.eosl.ca and will
ask that all sport participants, parents, coaches, and officials review it at the beginning of each
season. All Member Club coaches are encouraged to discuss poor air quality and its effects on
health during a pre-season meeting with athletes and parents.
Monitoring Air Quality
Just as outdoor training or competition may be cancelled or rescheduled due to lightning or
other weather conditions, it is essential to take similar actions to protect outdoor sport
participants when the air quality is poor.
You can find your local Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) by visiting AirHealth.ca or by
downloading the WeatherCAN app. The WeatherCAN app can also be used to receive
notifications when the AQHI exceeds a pre-set level.
Managing Participants Health with Respect to Air Quality
Index values between one and three are considered low risk, four to six are moderate
risk, seven to 10 are high risk and greater than 10 are very high risk
The forecasted and observed AQHI values will be used to prevent or limit participants’ exposure
to air pollution. Specifically:
If the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is projected to be 6 or 7 at game time, then water
and rest breaks will be mandated at around every quarter of the game.
if the AQHI is projected to be 8 or higher at game time, then games will be cancelled
The decision will be made by 3:00 pm each day to give time for communication to participants.
The decision will be made for each playing area by League Operations and each District
separately because air quality can be different across the playing region.
Cancellations will be noted on the league website and game cancellations will be sent to Team
and Club Officials, as well as Referees..
Policy Review
This Policy was created by the East Ontario Soccer League on April 23, 2024. The Policy will be
reviewed annually to ensure that it continues to align with the best practice recommendations of
health experts