Soccer is played in the rain. The mere presence of rain does not mean that games will be canceled. The WVRS policy is to attempt to play all games when possible. The league administration or the Hardyston Recreation Department are the only ones permitted to call off games. On the field, officials can also cancel a game at the field of play.  Coaches are not to call off games without authorization from your League Director.

The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) position is that if you can hear thunder you are within reach of lightning and that referees must protect the safety of all participants by stopping game activities quickly, so that participants and spectators may retire to a safer place before the lightning threat becomes significant. Applying the 30-30 rule is recommended and to wait 30 minutes or more after hearing the last thunder before leaving the shelter.

 

Reasons for canceling games:

1. It has rained most of the night before the scheduled game and it is still raining in the morning.
2. It has rained for several days prior to the scheduled game and the fields are wet to the point where playing the game will destroy the playing surface.
3. The presence of thunderstorms and lightning.
4. It is raining at the time of the scheduled game and the temperature is low enough to make conditions unbearable for the children.

WVRS will do everything in its power to play all scheduled games that are listed on each team's schedule. Due to field availability and time constraints, WVRS will not guarantee that matches that become rained-out will be rescheduled.  The coaches can elect to arrange for games to be played during their scheduled practice times having the 2 coaches act as referees.  In case of inclement weather, the Wallkill Valley Recreation Soccer website and facebook page will be used to indicate the field conditions and the status of games and to provide other weather-related information. The site is typically updated by 8:30 AM on game days for 9 AM games. If games start and the weather turns bad and necessitates the cancellation of later games, the website will be updated as soon as possible. We strongly encourage each parent to check the website up to 30 minutes prior to coming to the fields for games. If the website doesn't indicate any adverse weather conditions, postponements, or cancellation then everyone should assume that all matches for that day are being played as scheduled.