ECB Photo & Video Guidelines

ECB Photography and Video Camera Guidelines

The ECB wishes to ensure photography and video footage taken within cricket is done so appropriately.

Parents should not be prevented from taking pictures of, or filming, their children. These are normal family practices and help mark milestones in a child’s life. The introduction of proportionate controls on the use of photographic equipment (cameras, and videos, including mobile phones) is part of general safeguarding good practice in a club.

Every club will have different facility access which is why each club must create their own policy. A photocopy of this page is not a club policy nor is a blanket ban a proportionate response.

All clubs, and leagues, must read the guidelines below and create a policy from this guidance that is manageable within their own environments.

The ECB is keen to promote positive images of children playing cricket and is not preventing the use of photographic or videoing equipment. Some people may use sporting events as an opportunity to take inappropriate photographs or film footage of children. All clubs should be vigilant about this. These individuals could attend the local cricket club allowing people to presume they are related to a child involved. It is also possible that if a picture and name was placed in the local paper the information could be used as a ‘grooming’ tool. Any concerns during an event should be reported to a club official or event organiser.

There may be other reasons why individuals may not wish their child’s photograph to be taken by someone they do not know personally, for example estranged parents looking to gain access to a child.

Clubs must create a policy relating to the use of cameras during matches, training sessions and on other club occasions. The guiding principles are:

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 must arrange this prior to attending matches
If no consent has been given for a child on the player profile form, then it is to be made known to the relevant person of the other team (e.g. coach/team manager) so the appropriate person/s taking photographs for the other team is/are aware and can avoid taking photographs of that particular child

Section 3 – ECB Photography and Video Camera Guidelines – December 2009

The children should be informed a person will be taking photographs
The children should be informed that if they have concerns, they can report these to the coach or team manager
Concerns regarding inappropriate, or intrusive, photography should be reported to the Club Welfare Officer and recorded in the same manner as any other child protection concern
It is recommended that cricket tournaments/festivals/events/competitions set up a camera registration book for parents to complete

It is recommended that all cricket clubs as well as tournament/festival/event organisers adhere to the appropriate guidelines relating to publishing of images as detailed below.

Use of images of children (for example on the web, in the media or in league handbooks):

- 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 to represent cricket and the club

Ask for the child’s permission to use their image. This ensures they are aware of the way the image is to be used to represent cricket and the club
If the cricketer is named, avoid using their photograph
If a photograph is used, avoid naming the child
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
Encourage the reporting of inappropriate use of images of children. If you are concerned, report your concerns to the County or Club Welfare Officer

Using video as a coaching aid:

There is no intention on the part of the ECB to prevent club coaches using video equipment as a legitimate coaching aid. However, players and parents/carers should be aware that this is part of the coaching programme, and material taken in connection with coaching, must be stored securely and deleted or destroyed when a parent requests this, or when the material is no longer needed. The parents/carers and children must provide written consent for the use of photography and video analysis. (Please see the player profile form in the Kit Bag).

Section 3 – ECB Photography and Video Camera Guidelines – December 2009