A new British report offers a timely prompt for Australian sport to check how prepared it is for extreme weather as summer approaches.
According to Reuters coverage published on 5 November, a British Association for Sustainable Sport (BASIS) survey of more than 200 clubs, venues and governing bodies found that every respondent had been affected by extreme weather in 2026. Some 94% said sport was underprepared for climate change.
These findings relate to British sport. For Australian clubs and sporting organisations, they raise a useful question: when conditions disrupt play, are the plans already in place?
Preparing before conditions change
For a community club, a cancelled fixture can mean lost canteen income and extra work for volunteers. Decisions about when and how sport takes place deserve attention before a difficult forecast arrives.
With summer approaching, we encourage clubs, associations and venue managers to review four areas:
Decisions about play. Review your heat and extreme weather policies against your sport’s current guidance. Make sure coaches and officials know who can modify, postpone or cancel activity.
People at the venue. Check access to shade, drinking water and suitable rest areas, including for officials, volunteers and spectators.
Facilities. Talk with your council or venue owner about improvements such as shade and drainage. Agree on priorities and who is responsible for progressing them.
Communication. Decide how participants will hear about changes, who will send the update and how visiting teams will be contacted.
Sports Medicine Australia’s Extreme Heat Risk and Response Guidelines and the Sports Heat Tool are useful starting points. The tool combines local weather data with sport-specific information to help users assess heat risk and consider recommended actions.
Planning for longer term improvements
There is also a reason to start discussing facility upgrades now. In its 4 November update, the Australian Government confirmed that Round 2 of the Game On: Teaming Up for Climate Action grants is expected to open in early 2027. The program supports energy efficiency and climate resilience projects, including shade and drainage improvements. Applications are currently closed.
Clubs can use this time to identify their needs and discuss possible projects with facility owners, while keeping an eye on the official program updates.
At SEA, we encourage sporting organisations to put climate preparedness on their next committee or board agenda. Agreeing on one practical improvement, who will lead it and when it will happen is a useful place to start.