Players in the A-League Men and A-League Women won’t be subject to searing summer temperatures this season after league bosses benched the loathed 3pm (AEDT) kick-off time.
The big win out of Thursday’s draw announcement for the ALM and ALW competitions – which start on October 22 and October 14 respectively – was the decision to reduce the timeslot which is unpopular with fans, players and coaches in equal measure.
Kick-off times became a key talking point of last season’s summer months with some players complaining of heat exhaustion in temperatures that reached up to 35C.
Coaches including John Aloisi and Marko Rudan chastised the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) for prioritising broadcast slots over player welfare.
Between mid-December and February there will be no 3pm kick-offs.
“We’ve pushed back kick off times during the summer period to benefit fans…
