Photography Policy: Tamesside Central Venue Basketball Club

GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC & RECORDED IMAGES OF CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 AND VULNERABLE ADULTS

Introduction

TCV is committed to providing a safe environment for children, young people under the age of 18 and vulnerable adults. Essential to this commitment, is to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults from the inappropriate use of their images in resource and media publications, on the internet, and elsewhere.

Photographs can be used as a means of identifying children, young people and vulnerable adults when they are accompanied with personal information, for example, - this is X who is a member of Hometown Basketball Club who likes Westlife and supports Sheffield Wednesday. This information can make a child vulnerable to an individual who may wish to start to "groom" that child for abuse.

Secondly, the content of the photo can be used or adapted for inappropriate use. While this is rare in basketball, there is evidence of adapted material finding its way onto child pornography sites.

TCV has therefore adopted a policy of England Basketball in relation to the use of images of children, young people and vulnerable adults on their web sites and in other publications.

Publishing Images - Easy Rules to Remember:

Ask for written permission from the player and carer/s to take and use their image. This ensures that they are aware of the way the image is intended to be used to represent the sport. The Consent Form is one way of achieving this. If the player is named, avoid using their photograph;

If a photograph is used, avoid naming the player. And NEVER publish personal details;

Only use images of players in suitable dress (Tracksuit, on court clothing i.e. vests/shorts, off court clothing) to reduce the risk of inappropriate use;

Try to focus on the activity rather than a particular child or vulnerable adult and where possible use photographs that represent the broad range of children, young people and vulnerable adults taking part in basketball.

TCV does not want to prevent parents, carers or other spectators being able to take legitimate photographs or video footage of competitors. However, there is evidence that certain individuals will visit sporting events to take inappropriate photographs or video footage of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All Clubs and Leagues should be vigilant about this possibility.

Any concerns during an event should be reported to the Club Welfare Officer.