In response to the severe and ongoing heatwave in northern Victoria, the Northern District Playing Area (NDPA) and Northern Victoria (NV) match committees have decided to cancel all Saturday Pennant matches scheduled for 31 January 2026.
The forecasted extreme temperatures, which have inland areas reaching or exceeding 40°C during this heatwave, pose serious risks to players’ health and safety. This cancellation follows the heat provisions outlined in the NDPA Conditions of Play (Section 2, Rule 5.2) and the NV Conditions of Play (Section 6.5), which prioritise player welfare by permitting match abandonment or suspension when conditions become dangerously hot.
Bowls Victoria and regional bodies stress that play must be halted or prevented from starting once temperatures hit critical levels (generally 36°C or higher at designated Bureau of Meteorology stations), with full cancellations often mandated in extreme cases like this weekend’s forecast.
The ongoing heatwave has already caused numerous cancellations across regional pennant events, highlighting the importance of paying attention to weather warnings during summer. All players, officials, and supporters are advised to stay cool, hydrated, and safe. Clubs might provide updates regarding rescheduling, points allocation, or alternative plans through their usual channels.
