Meopham Cricket Club (MCC) promotes the appropriate use of photography and filming of children participating in sport.
However, it’s important to be aware of the potential child protection and safeguarding issues that arise when people take photos or film children in relation to sporting activities. The potential for misuse of images can be reduced if we are all aware of the potential risks and dangers and put appropriate measures in place to reduce these risks.
Potential Risks:
• children may be identifiable when a photograph is shared with personal information
• direct and indirect risks to children and young people when photographs are shared on websites and in publications with personal information that may identify and locate the child
• inappropriate photographs or recorded images of children
• inappropriate use, adaptation or copying of images
The following guiding principles will be implemented by MCC for the use of camera/video equipment
1. Photographs/images are not to be taken at matches or training without the prior permission of the parents/carers of the child. This permission can be given by proxy by the coach of each team only after parental consent for this has been granted. The coach will arrange this prior to attending matches.
2. The children should be informed that a person will be taking photographs.
3. The children should be informed that if they have concerns they can report these to the Coach or Play Leader.
4. No images are to be recorded in changing rooms, showers or toilets under any circumstances, whether children are present or not. This includes the use of mobile phones that record images.
5. Concerns regarding inappropriate or intrusive photography should be reported to the MCC Safeguarding Officer and recorded in the same manner as any other child protection concern.
6. It is recommended that at events involving junior players and guests/visitors that a camera registration book is set up for adults to complete before taking photographs.
The following guiding principles will be adopted for the publishing of images:
1. Ask for parental permission to use their child’s image and wherever possible show the image to the parents and child in advance. This ensures that they are aware of the way the image will be used.
2. Ask the child’s parent for permission to use their image.
3. If the player is named, avoid using their photograph. In cases where the player, parent/carer wish for the players name and photograph to be used, direct written consent will be required for each publication.
4. If the photograph is used, avoid naming the child. In cases where the player, parent/carers wish for the players name and photograph to be used, direct written consent will be required for each publication.
5. Don’t use player profiles with pictures and detailed personal information on websites. In cases where the player, parent/carers wish for the players name and photograph to be used, direct written consent will be required for each publication.
6. Don’t use an image for something other than that what it was initially intended and agreed.
7. Focus on the activity rather than the individual.
8. Only use images of children in appropriate kit (training or competition) to reduce the risk of inappropriate use, and to provide positive images of the children.
9. Aim to take pictures which represent the broad range of youngsters participating safely in cricket e.g. boys and girls, disabled people, ethnic minority communities.
10. Encourage the reporting of inappropriate use of images of children to the MCC Safeguarding Officer
Using video as a coaching aid:
The Club may use video equipment as a coaching aid as and when appropriate. Players and parents/carers may view the footage and know that the material taken in connection with coaching will be stored securely and will be deleted / destroyed upon requests, or when the material is no longer needed.
Only coaches who are UKCC level 2 or above qualified are permitted to use video analysis when coaching on behalf of the Club All players and their parents/carers will be asked each year to either; accept and adhere to the above policy in their registration process or to not accept the policy to refuse any use of photography in their cricket while playing at the Club