Digital Media Policy

Wantage and Grove Cricket Club – Digital Media Policy 2025

Photography, videography, live streaming, audio

Version 1-00
Effective Date: 01/01/2025

1. Purpose

Wantage and Grove Cricket Club (“the Club”) is committed to promoting cricket and enhancing engagement by capturing digital media of selected matches and events. This policy outlines our approach to photography, videography, live streaming and audio recordings, ensuring compliance with safeguarding, privacy, and data protection requirements, in line with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Live Streaming Guidance.

Recorded digital media will not be used to question any officiating decisions, but may be shared with the ECB Association of Cricket Officials (ACO) for training purposes.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all digital media “recorded” by or on behalf of the Club, including senior and junior matches, training sessions, and any other club-related events.

Recorded media includes, but is not limited to:

  • Photography being taken.
  • Videos being taken.
  • Live streams being streamed.
  • Audio being captured.

3. Key Principles

  • Safeguarding is paramount.
  • Transparency with players, parents, and spectators.
  • Consent must be informed and obtained where appropriate.
  • Compliance with data protection and privacy laws (UK GDPR & EU GDPR).
  • Respect for the spirit of cricket and participants.

4. Consent and Notification

Playing Adults

  • Club members will be notified in advance that matches and events may be recorded.
  • By participating, adult players are deemed to have given implied consent unless they notify the Club otherwise.

Playing Under 18s

  • Explicit written parental/guardian consent is required before any junior player appears in a live stream.
  • No live stream will commence if any junior participant has not provided prior consent.
  • Parents will be informed of the purpose, platform, and nature of the stream.

Leagues and Associated Boards

  • All leagues and associated boards will be informed at the start of the relevant season of the club’s intention to live stream matches under their authority.

Oppositions and Match Officials

  • The listed Captain of the opposing side, and the listed Umpires will be notified at least 48 hours before the match that a live stream may take place and consent requested.
  • If a Match Official is not known until arrival at the ground, consent will be requested on arrival.
  • If for any reason consent is not given, the live stream will not happen.

Spectators

  • Signage will be in place at the club notifying spectators that live streaming is taking place.
  • Cameras will be positioned in a way to point away from the clubhouse and the majority of spectators.

5. Safeguarding Measures

  • Live streams will not include close-up shots of under-18s or individuals who have opted out.
  • No dressing room or private conversations will be recorded.
  • No identifying information (e.g. contact details) will be shown or spoken in connection with any recording.
  • Recorded content will be monitored by the Club Committee and Club Safeguarding Officer as appropriate.

6. Club Platforms

Recorded content may be posted on, shared to, or live streamed on:

  • Social media platforms: Facebook; Instagram; Twitter.
  • Live streams will be hosted via secure platforms: YouTube.

Platform settings will be configured to restrict inappropriate comments or interactions (e.g. disabling live chat where necessary).

Recordings may be made public or unlisted depending on audience and privacy concerns.

7. Recording and Storage

Recordings may be captured during matches and events for the purposes of performance review, coaching, and club promotion. These recordings may be stored securely by authorised Club Officials and/or published on controlled public platforms.

The Club will ensure that:

  • All recordings are stored securely.
  • Recordings retained for long-term use will be regularly reviewed to ensure they remain appropriate and relevant.
  • Participants may request that specific content featuring themselves or their child be removed by contacting the Club.

The Club recognises that photography and filming are a normal part of sporting life and family memories. Therefore:

  • Parents and carers are not prevented from taking personal photographs or videos of their own children during matches or events, provided they do so respectfully and in line with safeguarding guidance.
  • However, all attendees are reminded that they do not have the automatic right to stream or publicly post images or footage that include other people’s children, particularly online.
  • Individuals should be mindful of privacy and are discouraged from tagging or naming children other than their own in social media posts without permission from that child’s parent or carer.

These guidelines are in place to respect the rights and safety of all players, especially juniors, and to support a safe, inclusive environment for cricket.

8. Opt-Out Requests

  • Any player, parent, or spectator may request not to be filmed. The Club will take reasonable steps to honour such requests, including adjusting camera positions or editing content.
  • Opt-out requests should be submitted in writing to the Chair or Club Safeguarding Officer before the match/event.

9. Code of Conduct

  • All recordings must reflect the values of the Club and the ECB Code of Conduct.
  • Any misuse of recordings (e.g. offensive commentary, inappropriate camera work) will result in immediate suspension of the content and possible disciplinary action.

10. Complaints and Concerns

Any concerns or complaints about recordings should be directed to:

Club Safeguarding Officer

Name: Will Harvey
Email: safeguarding@wantagecc.co.uk

Complaints will be handled in accordance with the Club’s safeguarding and complaints procedures.

11. Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or following any updates to ECB guidance or relevant legislation.

Approved By: Colin Mercer – Chair

Date: 02/05/2025

Next Review: 31/12/2025