PHOTOGRAPHY AND SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
Blackheath Rhinos Football Club
Blackheath Rhinos Football Club recognises that photographs and videos can be a positive part of grassroots football. They help celebrate player development, team achievements, club events and community activity. However, images and videos of children must be handled carefully and safely. This policy explains how the club manages photography, filming, social media and image consent. The FA guidance for photographing and filming children says clubs should share guidance with members, obtain written parental consent before using images in the public domain, and protect children where image use could place them at risk.
1. Scope of This Policy
This policy applies to:
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Training sessions
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Matches
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Tournaments
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Holiday camps
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Club events
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Community events
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Presentations
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Website content
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Social media posts
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WhatsApp groups
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Printed materials
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Promotional materials
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Coaching videos
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Any situation where a child is representing Blackheath Rhinos
It applies to:
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Players
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Parents and carers
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Coaches
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Volunteers
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Spectators
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Visitors
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Photographers
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Media representatives
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Club officials
2. Club Photography and Filming
The club may take or use photos and videos for reasonable club purposes, including:
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Celebrating player achievements
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Promoting club activities
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Sharing team or camp updates
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Website content
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Social media content
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Newsletters
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Community and fundraising updates
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Coaching and player development
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Sponsor or partner updates
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Club records
The club will aim to use images appropriately, respectfully and safely.
3. Parental Consent
The club will seek consent for photography and filming as part of registration, membership, booking or consent forms.
Parents/carers may usually choose whether they consent to their child appearing in club photos or videos. Where consent is not given, the club will take reasonable steps to avoid using identifiable images of that child in public club content. Parents/carers are responsible for keeping the club updated if their consent position changes.
4. Withdrawal of Consent
Parents/carers may withdraw photography or video consent by contacting the club in writing. The club will take reasonable steps to stop future use of that child’s identifiable image.
However, it may not always be possible to remove images already published in:
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Printed materials
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Historic social media posts
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Shared third-party posts
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League or opposition content
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Archived content
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Group images where removal is not practical
The club will deal with withdrawal requests reasonably and proportionately.
5. Safe Use of Images
When using images of children, the club will aim to:
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Use appropriate images
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Avoid embarrassing or inappropriate images
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Avoid images that could place a child at risk
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Avoid publishing unnecessary personal information
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Avoid linking a child’s full name with an image where this is not needed
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Avoid publishing private contact details
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Consider safeguarding risks before posting
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Respect parental consent choices
6. Children Under Care Proceedings or at Increased Risk
Some children may be at increased risk if their image is published. Parents/carers must inform the club if there are legal, safeguarding or personal reasons why their child’s image must not be used.
This may include:
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Care proceedings
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Court orders
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Family safety concerns
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Adoption or fostering circumstances
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Domestic abuse concerns
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Witness protection or legal restrictions
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Any other safeguarding concern
The club will treat this information sensitively and only share it with those who need to know.
7. Parent and Spectator Photography
Parents and spectators may sometimes take photos or videos at matches, training or events for personal use.
However, parents and spectators must:
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Act responsibly
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Respect other children’s privacy
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Avoid posting images of other children without appropriate consent
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Stop filming or photographing if asked by the club, referee, venue provider or event organiser
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Avoid filming children in distress, injured or in private situations
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Never use images to mock, shame, criticise or target a child
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Follow venue, league, FA or event rules
The club may restrict photography or filming where there are safeguarding, welfare, venue or consent concerns.
8. Opposition Teams and Match Photography
At matches, photography and filming may also involve opposition players. Parents and club representatives should be mindful that not every child from another club will have consent for images to be shared publicly. Where possible, public posts should focus on Blackheath Rhinos players and avoid unnecessary identification of opposition children. If an opposition club, parent, referee, league or venue raises a concern about photography or filming, the club will review the matter.
9. Coaching Video
The club may use video for coaching and player development where appropriate. Coaching video should be used responsibly and only shared with relevant coaches, players or parents where there is a clear football purpose. Coaching footage should not be used to embarrass, criticise or publicly shame children.
10. Social Media
The club may use social media to promote positive club activity.
This may include:
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Team updates
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Training updates
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Camp updates
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Community work
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Fundraising
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Sponsor recognition
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Player achievements
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Club announcements
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Matchday content
The club will aim to post content that is positive, respectful and appropriate.
11. Social Media Rules for Parents, Players and Spectators
Parents, players and spectators must not use social media to:
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Abuse or criticise children
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Abuse referees or match officials
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Publicly attack coaches, parents, opposition teams or the club
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Share inappropriate images of children
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Post videos intended to embarrass or shame a child
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Publish private club disputes
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Share discriminatory, offensive or threatening content
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Identify children involved in safeguarding, welfare or disciplinary matters
Social media behaviour may be dealt with under the club’s Code of Conduct and Behaviour Policy.
12. WhatsApp Groups
Images and videos shared in club WhatsApp groups must be appropriate. Parents and coaches should remember that WhatsApp groups are still club communication spaces. Images from WhatsApp groups should not be copied, reposted or used publicly without appropriate permission. The club may remove people from WhatsApp groups where images, videos or comments are misused.
14. Inappropriate Photography or Filming
Anyone behaving suspiciously or using photography/filming inappropriately may be challenged by the club.
Concerns may be referred to:
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Club Welfare Officer
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Venue provider
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League
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London FA
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The FA
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Police
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Local Authority Designated Officer, where appropriate
If a child is at immediate risk, emergency services should be contacted.
15. Storage and Data Protection
Photos and videos may be personal data. The club will aim to store and use images responsibly and in line with its Privacy Policy / GDPR and Data Protection Policy. Access to images should be limited to people who reasonably need them for club purposes.
16. Breach of This Policy
Breaches of this policy may result in action by the club.
This may include:
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Asking someone to stop filming or photographing
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Requesting deletion of images
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Removal from a venue
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Removal from WhatsApp groups
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Warning
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Suspension from club activity
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Referral to the Club Welfare Officer
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Referral to the league, London FA, The FA or police where appropriate
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Cancellation of membership in serious cases
17. Reporting a Concern
Concerns about photography, filming or social media should be reported to the club. Safeguarding concerns should be reported to the Club Welfare Officer.
If a child is at immediate risk, contact the police or emergency services.
18. Policy Review
This policy may be reviewed and updated by Blackheath Rhinos Football Club as required.