SYSI Air Quality Guidelines
Saskatoon Youth Soccer Inc. follows the government of Canada’s Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) and we may stop play when the AQHI reaches level 7.
| Health Risk | Air Quality Health Index | Health Messages | |
|---|---|---|---|
| At Risk Population* | General Population | ||
| Low | 1 - 3 | Enjoy your usual outdoor activities. | Ideal air quality for outdoor activities. |
| Moderate | 4 - 6 | Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you are experiencing symptoms. | No need to modify your usual outdoor activities unless you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation. |
| High | 7 - 10 | Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors. Children and the elderly should also take it easy. | Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation. |
| Very High | Above 10 | Avoid strenuous activities outdoors. Children and the elderly should also avoid outdoor physical exertion. | Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation. |
* People with heart or breathing problems are at greater risk. Follow your doctor's usual advice about exercising and managing your condition.
To review Saskatoon’s current conditions please visit the following site which pinpoints real-time air quality in various areas of the city: https://map.purpleair.com/1/mAQHI/a10/p604800/cC0#11.76/52.1398/-106.5865
NEW -- Effective Outdoor 2024, Saskatoon Youth Soccer and Saskatoon Adult Soccer have determined "Purple Air" to be more reliable than any other weather site as we found last year, the Weather Network and the Canada Government Weather sites were not updated frequently enough to determine game time decisions and the location of their air quality was centralized to the airport area of the city and not always accurate for other areas of the city. Referees for the Outdoor 2024 season as well as coaches are to utilize the Purple Air resource for determining air quality in the area closest to their field.
NEW -- Effective Outdoor 2024, Saskatoon Youth Soccer and Saskatoon Adult Soccer have determined "Purple Air" to be more reliable than any other weather site as we found last year, the Weather Network and the Canada Government Weather sites were not updated frequently enough to determine game time decisions and the location of their air quality was centralized to the airport area of the city and not always accurate for other areas of the city. Referees for the Outdoor 2024 season as well as coaches are to utilize the Purple Air resource for determining air quality in the area closest to their field.
Air quality can change rapidly throughout the day or evening and SYSI determines cancellations by 4:00 PM based on current or forecast conditions. If the AQHI reaches a 7 or higher at game time, the referee may cancel the U11-U19 game and SYSI will reschedule it if less than half the U11-U19 game time has not been played.
This is also in line with Saskatchewan Soccer's Air Quality Monitoring Guidelines (pages 28-30):
U11-U19 Games
• At game time, if the AQHI is 7 or above at game time the teams involved, and the Match Official shall consider either delaying kick-off or cancelling the game.
• The Match Official reserves the final right to cancel any game if they consider it to be dangerous, regardless of AQHI scores.
• In the event the game is cancelled, the Match Official is to write on game sheet reason for abandonment with the Index calculation and time & date of the calculation
• If air quality changes dramatically during a game (e.g. sudden smoke event caused by wind direction change) Match Officials and team personnel are advised to use their discretion. Record all decisions and relevant information on the game sheet.
• U5-U9 coaches may follow the above guidelines but the games are not rescheduled by SYSI.
Practices
• If air quality is 3 or below continue with training as normal.
• If air quality is an index of 4 - 6 then be prepared to adjust the practice by:
o Reducing the intensity.
o Reducing the duration of the practice.
o Providing resting periods.
• If air quality is 7 or above cancel or reschedule by association and/or team.
This is also in line with Saskatchewan Soccer's Air Quality Monitoring Guidelines (pages 28-30):
U11-U19 Games
• At game time, if the AQHI is 7 or above at game time the teams involved, and the Match Official shall consider either delaying kick-off or cancelling the game.
• The Match Official reserves the final right to cancel any game if they consider it to be dangerous, regardless of AQHI scores.
• In the event the game is cancelled, the Match Official is to write on game sheet reason for abandonment with the Index calculation and time & date of the calculation
• If air quality changes dramatically during a game (e.g. sudden smoke event caused by wind direction change) Match Officials and team personnel are advised to use their discretion. Record all decisions and relevant information on the game sheet.
• U5-U9 coaches may follow the above guidelines but the games are not rescheduled by SYSI.
Practices
• If air quality is 3 or below continue with training as normal.
• If air quality is an index of 4 - 6 then be prepared to adjust the practice by:
o Reducing the intensity.
o Reducing the duration of the practice.
o Providing resting periods.
• If air quality is 7 or above cancel or reschedule by association and/or team.
