Important Update: Training This Week (22 to 29 July) — Red Heat Alert

Dear EFA Families,

We want to update you on how we are managing this week's sessions in light of the red heat-health alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office for London.

A red alert means significant health risks are possible for the wider population — not just vulnerable groups. We are taking this seriously.

We have decided to proceed with sessions this week, but they will look very different from a normal training session.

What we are changing

Sessions this week are not vigorous training. They are low-intensity, structured activity with extended rest periods.

• No high-intensity drills, sprinting, or sustained running
• Maximum 15 minutes of continuous activity before a full rest break
• A minimum of 5 minutes in the shade after every active block
• Sessions shortened overall
• Water available at all times, with structured hydration breaks every 15 minutes

Our coaches hold first aid certification and will be actively monitoring every player throughout each session — not just during breaks.

Your right to keep your child home

The Department of Health and Social Care advises that children should not take part in vigorous physical activity on very hot days. We respect that guidance, and we respect your judgement as a parent.

If you decide to keep your child at home this week, we fully support that decision. There will be no penalty and no impact on your child's place at EFA. Please just let us know before the session so we can plan accordingly.

What we ask of you

If your child is attending, please:

• Ensure they arrive well hydrated
• Bring a full water bottle, and extra water if possible
• Apply high-factor sunscreen before arriving, and send sunscreen for reapplication
• Dress them in lightweight, light-coloured clothing
• Bring a hat for before, after, and during rest breaks
• Ensure they have eaten appropriately beforehand
• Keep them home if they are feeling unwell in any way

Please also inform us before the session if your child has a medical condition, takes medication, or may be particularly sensitive to hot weather.

Symptoms to watch for

Please tell a coach immediately if your child shows any of the following during a session:

• Dizziness, headache, or nausea
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Muscle cramps
• Confusion or loss of coordination

If you notice any of these symptoms after a session, give your child cool water, move them to a cool area, and contact NHS 111 if symptoms do not improve.

Our position

We have followed the London FA's heatwave advisory and The FA's guidance on drinks and cooling breaks, and have modified our sessions to stay within what the governing bodies consider a proportionate and safe approach under a red alert.

We will continue to monitor conditions daily. If at any point we judge that a session cannot be delivered safely, we will cancel it and give you as much notice as possible.

Player welfare is the only thing that matters to us this week.

The EFA Team

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