Poor air quality impacts Sydney sport

Concerns over air quality resulting from the east coast bushfires is impacting sport across NSW with NSW Rugby League (NSWRL) Junior Representative trials, scheduled to be played this weekend, cancelled and the postponement of a Foxtel Y-League match.

NSWRL's decision to cancel the trial fixtures, which were to have been played at the TG Millner Sportsground at Marsfield in north western Sydney, was made based on information from NSW Health, the Bureau of Meteorology and the NSW Office of Environment for the wellbeing and safety of participants at all clubs.

The NSWRL has also recommended all clubs refrain from training outdoors until the air quality index has reduced to a safe level.

Football NSW, which has issued several air quality warnings during the current bushfire crisis, recommends that football activities in affected areas are postponed or cancelled for the health and safety of participants, referring to "very poor" and "hazardous conditions".

Uncertainty has also impacted Foxtel Y-League and A-League at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Kogarah.

However, as of 2.14pm today, Football Federation Australia (FFA) have advised that "based on the current weather forecasts ... (the) matches will go ahead as scheduled.

The bushfires have also caused the postponement of the Foxtel Y-League match between the Central Coast Mariners and the Newcastle Jets that had been scheduled to be played at Pluim Park on the NSW Central Coast at 10:30am on Saturday 7th December.

FFA advise "this will be rescheduled to a later date due to the forecast Air Quality Index reading predicted to be in the extremely hazardous range due to nearby bushfire activity and predicted winds."

Smoke blanketing Sydney also impacted yesterday’s play at the Australian Open, with one player saying the conditions are the worst he has experienced.

Players and marshalls wore face masks, while New Zealand professional Ryan Chisnall stated “normally you come to Sydney and it’s beautiful and clear and playing The Australian on a nice day is always beautiful so it’s quite bizarre but obviously the fires are extremely unfortunate.

“I’ve had breathing problems for a while, asthmas and stuff like that as well, so these sort of conditions really don’t help me.”

Image: Poor air quality at the Australian Open at the Australian Golf Club in Sydney.