Stokesdale Parks and Recreation uses the lightning protocol recommended by the NCYSA (North Carolina Youth Soccer Assoication).

Latest news from NCYSA:

The NCYSA Executive Board (“BOARD”) held its bi-monthly meeting Tuesday night, Oct. 14, 2014. During the meeting the BOARD addressed our current protocol regarding lightning safety. NCYSA has maintained the long held policy that went like this. When lightning was seen a count would take place from the time of the lightning to the hearing of thunder. If the count did not reach 30 seconds between the lightning and the thunder, play would be halted. The days of that long standing policy have passed.

After reviewing information from the National Lightning Safety Institute, NCYSA has adopted new protocol for lightning safety which will go into effect immediately (October 15, 2014). No more counting to determine whether to halt play. The new protocol goes like this. If you see lightning, clear the field. If you hear thunder, clear the field. Play will be halted for a minimum of 30 minutes. If no lightning is spotted during the 30 minutes and/or no thunder is heard during the 30 minutes, play will resume. If lightning is seen and/or thunder is heard during the 30 minute period, the clock starts over. No play will resume until a minimum of 30 minutes passes with no thunder and/or no lightning.

The North Carolina Soccer Referee Association is in full support of this new NCYSA protocol. ALL NCSRA referees are being notified of this new protocol and are being instructed to impose the new protocol effective immediately.

Thunder and lightning is extremely unpredictable. The threat is too dangerous and it just isn’t worth taking the chance.

Remember, IF YOU SEE LIGHTNING, CLEAR THE FIELD. IF YOU HEAR THUNDER, CLEAR THE FIELD.

Thank you for understanding and supporting our continuing effort to protect all NCYSA participants.

M. Keith Price

President

N C Youth Soccer