Thank heavens - but not the heavens - for indoor sports facilities in Dunedin.
Steady rain since Monday afternoon has forced some changes to junior tournament week this week, Otago Secondary Schools Sports Association regional sports director Nicki Paterson said.
Three of the outdoor sports got going on Monday, with the softball and golf programmes wrapping up the same day.
One day of cricket was played, but it has been cancelled for the rest of the week, and the touch programme looks in some doubt with more rain forecast today.
''It's looking like we'll probably defer it to Friday. But we're waiting to hear from the DCC, as they may not even let us play on Friday - they might close the grounds.
''Kensington Oval is looking more like a lake at the moment.''
Despite the rain outside, handball, dodgeball, indoor bowls, tennis and volleyball have all gone ahead indoors.
''With tennis, we've been lucky we've been able to bring it inside''
''Really, the big casualty has been cricket.''
The tournament week had been well supported by the schools, including schools from outside Dunedin, Paterson said.
Dunedin Cricket Association operations manager Tim O'Sullivan said early indications were that senior cricket would move to artificial pitches this weekend.
''The general rule of thumb is that the grounds remain in the council's hands until 4pm on Friday and then we take over from there.
''On Saturday, we make a call [whether to cancel] by 8am for the seniors and second grade, and if we think there's a chance, by 10am for the 1pm grades.''
