Sport

Heat policies in effect for tournaments across the region

By Josh Huntly

Jan 7, 2026

With midweek temperatures set to soar throughout the region, several sporting events have taken measures to ensure the safety of participants.

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Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday temperatures are expected to peak in the mid-40s, forcing the hand of tournament organisers.

The region’s top junior cricketers will revert to the short format with Junior Country Week fixtures reduced from one-day to T20 fixtures, including Thursday’s grand finals.

Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club is also monitoring conditions as the Goulburn Valley Open and Junior Championships continue, opting to begin play at 7.30am while indicating play will be suspended should temperatures exceed 36 in the junior categories and 38 in open brackets.

With temperatures expected to remain high well into the evening for the remainder of the week, the Shepparton Nations Cup has also been forced into a change.

Fixtures between Iraq and Türkiye at McEwen Reserve on Thursday evening, as well as the Australia vs Afghanistan clash on Friday, have been pushed back an hour to 8pm.

Meanwhile, the Melbourne Renegades community event at Victoria Park Lake, which includes a live viewing of the BBL and a Shepparton girls All-Star Game, has been postponed from Wednesday, January 7 to Monday, January 12.