CHH League – Extreme Heat Policy (Updated)

➡️ Practical note: Rather than gambling on the weather, players are strongly encouraged to schedule matches early morning or later evening to avoid peak summer heat.

The CHH League follows Tennis Australia’s Extreme Weather Policy to ensure safe playing conditions. Heat-related modifications, suspensions, and cancellations are guided by Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) and ambient temperature readings.

1. Official Heat Measurement (WBGT Source)

The CHH League uses Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) – WBGT (Sun) readings only.

WBGT data is sourced from the bottom of the BOM Canberra WBGT page:
https://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDN65179.shtml

Applicable Stations

  • Canberra (Airport) – WBGT (Sun)
    Applies to Northside & Woden matches

  • Tuggeranong – WBGT (Sun)
    Applies to Woden & Southside matches

If WBGT data is unavailable or delayed, ambient temperature readings from the same BOM station will be used as a fallback.

2. Heat-Related Match Relocation & Pre-Match Cancellation

Indoor Relocation

  • Moving a match to an indoor venue is only permitted by mutual agreement of both players.

  • Unless agreed otherwise, the home court remains unchanged.

  • If moved indoors, court hire costs must be split evenly between players.
    ⚠️ Indoor bookings are often expensive and may require back-to-back 1-hour bookings per player.

Afternoon Matches (Start Time ≥ 12:00pm)

  • Matches may be cancelled by mutual agreement up to 1 hour before the scheduled start time if:

    • WBGT (Sun) > 32.5°C, or

    • Ambient temperature > 38.0°C

3. Junior-Specific Rules (Under 15 Years)

Before Play

If a junior under 15 years is involved, the match may be cancelled up to 1 hour before start time if:

  • WBGT (Sun) > 32.5°C, or

  • Ambient temperature > 36.0°C

4. Extreme Heat Modifications & Mandatory Thresholds

(Based on Ambient Temperature Only)

This section governs all in-play decisions, including modifications, suspensions, and cancellations, and is based solely on ambient temperature readings from the applicable BOM station.

Juniors (<15 Years)

  • ≥ 35°C (ambient) at match start
    ➜ Rescheduling strongly recommended

  • ≥ 40°C (ambient)
    ❌ No matches permitted for juniors under 15 years

  • ≥ 44°C (ambient)
    ❌ All junior matches (including 15yrs+) suspended until temperature drops below 40°C (ambient) or rescheduled to another day

All Matches (Adults & Juniors 15+)

≥ 35°C (ambient)

  • Changeovers extended to 2 minutes

  • Set breaks extended to 5 minutes

  • Players may elect to play Short Deuces
    (At 40–40, next point wins; receiver chooses serving side)

≥ 40°C (ambient)

  • Short Deuces are mandatory

≥ 44°C (ambient)

  • All matches suspended until temperature drops below 40°C (ambient) or rescheduled to another day

5. Rescheduling & Match Reporting

  • Matches cancelled due to heat must be rescheduled as a priority and completed within 2 weeks, or the result will be recorded as a tie.

  • Matches unable to be completed due to end-of-round timing will be recorded as a tie.

  • Players must notify the CHH League Manager of the agreed reschedule date.

  • If a match is suspended and later resumed, play must recommence from the exact score and game position at the time of suspension.