Lightning is a fascinating natural phenomenon. It can also be extremely dangerous.
The number of casualties from lightning strikes in Australia has risen in recent years, and many of these victims were participating in outdoor sporting and recreational activities. In the United States over the past 30 years more than 70 people a year have been killed by lightning.
Auburn City Council suggests that all clubs and individuals involved in outdoor sport and recreation activities take appropriate action to minimise the risk of lightning strikes and the potential for lightning-related injury.
Conscious of the potential danger to their members, a number of National and State governing bodies of sport have developed policies on lightning safety.
One such policy was developed by Football NSW in 2004, and you can download a copy of the policy on Lightning Safety.