AIBU to think school cricket in 37 degree heat is dangerous?

[Worriedmummy1244]

DS prep school have just sent a letter about a cricket match 2-3pm on Tuesday with another school (we’re in south east it’s currently predicted 37 degrees) this is first we’ve heard of it and the letter says it is going ahead.

Their sports day is going ahead tomorrow

Are they insane?!

I don’t want to be that mum but I don’t want my child playing

They don't have children's cricket matches at 2pm in 37c heat.

I’ve just been on holiday in Europe in the 35 degree heat and yes it kind of does stop as none of the sports teams (we were at a holiday resort) were playing in the day. Only
very early or very late evening so agree with you it should be postponed!

It should never be about whether children want to play. It should be about whether it is safe.

Freddie Flintoff took his cricket boys to India in his second BBC series. They couldn't cope with the heat at all. There was a lot of lying down.

This

So in THIS instance

8 years old
school match
37 degrees
presume they do have all the right kits
presume some will want to plays but others won’t be keen but will feel peer pressure to say they do
presume given they’re so young they are NoT used to playing in heat

so your decision would be @NDerbys32 ?

It's fucking stupid!

Although mine has just gone on a week long residential and most of the activities require long sleeves and leggings (for health and safety) - it is meant to hit 38c where they are by Wednesday.

Play the game, a shorter version if necessary, with all the safety decisions in.

Give them an option, but if enough turn out, make it worth it for THEM.

My lad played as a youngster too. First question would be 'do you want to play?'

Just my opinion. I get it that others might not agree.

And, at that, I'm out as this could go round in circles.

Thank goodness

a) you’re no longer connected to children’s cricket matches
b) we won’t have to listen to your mansplaining anymore

My lad played as a youngster too. First question would be 'do you want to play?'

these are 8 year olds
fgs

I grew up in Queensland. I just checked the Sports Medicine Australia guidance for schools which is basically:

Under 31 degrees: crack on.

31-35 degrees, and over 50% humidity: crack on, but slowly and with caution and adaptations. Planned vigorous, sustained physical activity should be limited in intensity or duration to less than 60 minutes per session.

36 degrees and over: do not crack on, what is wrong with you.

And these are kids who are acclimatised and better accustomed to dealing with heat.

Yep, we’ve got ‘house cricket’ on Wednesday and so far it seems it’s still going ahead. 36 here.

Actually, it does. I grew up in a hot country and school year ends begging of June and starts September the 1st- because June, July and August it's too hot for children to be in the school. And it's considered insanity to make anyone do physical activity in the peak heat hours, nevermind children. Between 11am and 5pm hot countries have the wisdom and common sense to keep out of the sun.

Exactly! Summer where I lived in China was regularly over 35 degrees and sometimes. Sports day was held in April.

Oh dear lord.

The "midday heat" is not the hottest part of the day. It hardly ever is in the UK. The hottest part of the day in this country is usually well after 3pm, because of the way heat works - especially in more built up areas. The brightest part of the day and the hottest part of the day rarely coincide.

The peak on Wednesday is forecast between 4 and 5pm, earlier on Thursday but with the peak sustained for longer.

Our athletics day was in August - depths of winter!

What's their time to local hospital and can they do rapid cooling there? How long to access rapid cooling for someone with heat stroke?

What is their experience with heat related illness including heat exhaustion/heat stroke?

What is their monitoring plan for players? Are they familiar with the signs of early heat related illness?

Are they wearing gear appropriate for the weather?

What's the temp on the field?

What's the wet bulb temp and are they familiar with the guidelines?

You guys are not familiar with extreme temps. We have AC here and acclimation, you guys don't. You're sending 8 year olds unaccustomed to 95° plus heat in the hottest part of the day to play a sport.

Our school (high school, sixth form) has cancelled all cricket matches to Thursday and club look about to do the same, training already cancelled all week. Rightly so

Asking an 8 year old if they’d like to play, as a first step, is one of the more ridiculous things I’ve heard. Most 8 year olds would probably say yes to jumping in a river off a bridge in this weather if asked the question; it doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.

France has cancelled ALL school sports events.

Oh sweet Jesus our football coach has just confirmed that Wednesday's match is going ahead. Kick off at absolute peak time for the heat.

The WhatsApp is currently extremely quiet. I suspect we're all waiting to see if someone else jumps first.

House cricket on Wednesday has been postponed for a week!

Meh, they play cricket in Australia, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa - all get quite toasty at times. Get them to take in lots of fluid and stay in shade when not on the field. Iced towels help too.

I posted the Sports Medicine Australia guidelines upthread.

TLDR? Australian kids wouldn't be playing in 37 degrees plus with over 50% humidity.

But as has been mentioned already, children don't play in the middle of the day in 37c heat.

@JassyRadlett @mrsbowes fair play. You obviously know more about it than me!