The Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the Rugby Football Union for Women (RFUW) recognises that publicity and pictures of young people enjoying rugby are essential to promote the sport and a healthy lifestyle. To facilitate this it is therefore essential that the following principles and rules should be observed.

These Best Practice Guidelines have been developed by the RFU with advice and guidance on the use of images of young people.

Ilkeston Rugby Club and RFU/RFUW are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for young people. Implicit in this is the commitment to ensure that all publications, resources and media represent participants appropriately and with due respect.

By adopting the points outlined in these guidelines we will be putting in place the best possible practice to protect young people wherever photographs or recorded images are taken and stored.

The images may be published on the club website. If at any time either the parent/carer or the young person wishes the data to be removed from the website, the Club Safeguarding Officer should be informed.

The following rules which will ensure compliance with the policy on photographic images are as follows:
1. Ensure parents/guardian/young person have granted their consent for the taking and publication of photographic images on GMS. And that the club notes any circumstance where permission has been withheld.
2. All young people must be appropriately dressed for the activity taking place.
3. Photography or recording should focus on the activity rather than a particular young person and personal details which might make a young person vulnerable, such as their exact address, must never be revealed.
4. Where an individual has achieved success in the game (e.g. when selected for representative side or showing triumph over adversity permission must be gained from parent/guardian and young person to use photographs/recordings and relevant details.
5. Where possible, to reflect the RFU/RFUW Equity Policy, photographs/recordings should represent the diverse range of young people participating in rugby.
6. Anyone taking photographs or recording at any rugby event must have a valid reason for doing so and where possible seek the permission of the organisers/persons in charge/age group coach.
7. Anyone taking photographs or recording should make themselves known to the event organisers/persons in charge/age group coach and be able to identify themselves if requested during the course of the event.
8. All concerns regarding inappropriate or intrusive photography should be reported in confidence to the Club Safeguarding officer.

Ilkeston Rugby Club recognises the need to ensure the welfare and safety of all young people in Rugby Union. As part of our commitment to ensure the safety of young people we will not permit photographs, video or other images including those taken via mobile phones of young people to be taken or used without the consent of the parents/carers and the young person.

We will follow the RFU/RFUW guidance for the use of images of young people. We will take all steps to ensure these images are used solely for the purposes they are intended which is the promotion and celebration of the activities associated with rugby. If you become aware that images are being used inappropriately you should inform the Club Safeguarding Officer or Safeguarding Assistant.

Safeguarding Officer: Rich Hunter 07791 733696 or richhunter2343@gmail.com
Safeguarding Assistant: Andy Evans 07770 303167 or chairman@ilkestonrugby.com
Policy reviewed 2024