Skip to content
Est. 1880 · Bishops Castle, Shropshire
Saturday 18:30 KO Contact
Bishops Castle Town Football Club
Bishops Castle Town Football Club Enjoy the Game
Match Centre →
Bishops Castle Town Football Club

Social Media & Photography Policy

Applies to all players, parents/carers, coaches, volunteers, officials and anyone associated with the Club

1. Purpose and Scope

Bishops Castle Town Football Club recognises the value of social media and photography as positive tools for communication, celebration and engagement. When used appropriately, these platforms help promote the Club and enhance the experience of everyone involved.

However, safeguarding the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk is paramount and applies both online and offline. Everyone associated with the Club has a shared responsibility to ensure that social media use and photography are conducted safely, respectfully, and in line with best practice.

This policy applies to:

  • All official Club social media accounts
  • Team‑administered social media pages and group chats
  • Personal social media activity where the Club, its teams or participants are identifiable
  • All photography and videography at Club activities

This policy is informed by and supports:

  • The FA – Safeguarding in the Digital World & Photography Guidance
  • Shropshire FA – Social Media Guidance
  • Football Association of Wales (FAW) – Safeguarding, Photography and Social Media Guidance

2. Roles and Responsibilities

  • The Club Welfare Officer (CWO) is the lead contact for safeguarding concerns relating to social media and photography.
  • Team Managers and designated administrators are responsible for ensuring this policy is followed within their teams.
  • All players, parents/carers, coaches, volunteers and officials are responsible for their own conduct online.

Safeguarding concerns must be reported promptly using the procedures outlined in Section 9.

3. Social Media Use – Club and Team Platforms

General Principles

All online communication must:

  • Be respectful, inclusive and age‑appropriate
  • Protect the privacy and welfare of all participants
  • Reflect positively on Bishops Castle Town Football Club

Specific Requirements

  1. All team or group social media pages (e.g. Facebook) must be private or closed groups.
  2. Match scores, opposition team names or identifying details must not be posted on public social media platforms.
  3. Comments about referees, match officials, opposition players or clubs are strictly prohibited.
  4. Content that is abusive, discriminatory, defamatory, inflammatory or harassing is not permitted.
  5. Player profiles containing photographs and personal information must not be published at any time.
  6. Where inaccurate or negative comments about the Club appear online, do not respond. Report the issue to the Team Manager or Club Welfare Officer.

4. Direct Messaging, Group Chats and Digital Communication

In accordance with FA and County FA guidance:

  • Coaches and club officials must not communicate one‑to‑one with children or young people via private messages.
  • Team group chats must:
    • Include parents/carers
    • Contain at least two adult administrators
    • Be used for football‑related matters only
  • Players must not be added to adult‑only groups.
  • All communication must remain transparent, appropriate and relevant.

These safeguards are essential to protect both young people and adults involved in football.

5. Photography and Filming – General Rules

Photography and filming can play a positive role in football, but must always prioritise safeguarding.

The following apply at all Club activities:

  1. Images and videos must only be taken with appropriate parental consent, recorded through the Club registration process.
  2. Where possible, players should not be identified by name. Surnames must not be used.
  3. Images must show players appropriately dressed in football kit.
  4. Images must not be used in a way that could place a child or adult at risk.

The Club follows FA and FAW best practice guidance on the responsible use of images.

6. Prohibited Photography and Filming

Photography or filming is strictly forbidden in:

  • Changing rooms
  • Showers
  • Toilets

This includes the use of mobile phones and all recording devices, without exception.

7. Match‑day Photography by Parents and Spectators

  • Grassroots football often takes place in public spaces, where photography is lawful.
  • However, the welfare of children remains paramount.
  • Spectators are expected to act responsibly and respectfully.
  • If concerns arise about photography or filming, the Team Manager or Club Welfare Officer should be informed.
  • Any concerns of an immediate or serious safeguarding nature should be escalated to the police and the relevant County FA.

This approach reflects FA and FAW safeguarding guidance for grassroots football.

8. Consent and Withdrawal of Consent

  • Parental consent for photography and social media use is obtained as part of the Club registration process.
  • Consent may be withdrawn at any time in writing.
  • The Club will take reasonable steps to remove affected images from its platforms as soon as practicable.

9. Reporting Concerns

Any concerns regarding social media use, digital communication or photography should:

  1. Where appropriate, be raised directly with the individual involved; or
  2. Be reported to the Club Welfare Officer.

Concerns may also be raised directly with:

Serious safeguarding concerns may be referred to The FA, FAW or the police as appropriate.

10. Breaches of This Policy

Any person associated with the Club who breaches this policy may:

  • Be asked to remove content immediately
  • Be subject to disciplinary action
  • Be required to cease involvement with the Club

Safeguarding matters of a serious nature will be referred to the appropriate authorities.

11. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or in line with updates to FA, Shropshire FA or FAW safeguarding guidance.

 

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

When using social media or photography, think before you post – protecting players and upholding the values of Bishops Castle Town Football Club comes first.