PRFC in line with the RFU & RFUW recognises that publicity & 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 are observed.

A. PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES

1. Ensure parents/guardians/young people have granted their consent to taking & publication of photographic images & have signed appropriate consent forms
2. All young people should be appropriately dressed for activity taking place.
3. Photography or recording should focus on activity rather than a particular young person & personal details should never be revealed.
4. Where an individual has achieved success in the game (eg selected for representative side) permission must be gained from parent/guardian & young person to use photographs/recordings & relevant details.
5. Where possible 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 & seek permission of the organisers/persons in charge.
7. They should make themselves known to the event organisers/persons in charge & be able to identify themselves if requested during the course of the event.
8. All concerns surrounding inappropriate or intrusive photography should be reported in confidence to the RFU Equity & Ethics Manager via Petersfield RFC or Hants Safeguarding Officer.
The RFU recognises that clubs' or organisations' coaches should still be allowed to use video equipment as a legitimate coaching aid & means of recording special occasions. However care should be taken in the dissemination & storage of the material.
If professional photographers are commissioned or the press is invited to a rugby activity or event then the following steps should be taken
• Must have bona fide identification & be able to produce it on request. Must also sign the Event registration Form
• Participants/parents must be informed that photographer will be in attendance & consent to taking & publication of films/photos
• Do not allow unsupervised access to rugby players or one-to-one photo sessions
• Do not allow photo sessions outside event or at player's home

B. WRITTEN PIECES FOR PRESS

1. PRFC has a press officer so all pieces must go through him/her
2. Write to length & put players names in capital letter to avoid spelling mistakes
3. Don't use nicknames
4. Put in good & bad news
5. Treat local paper with respect
6. Try to vary names of players mentioned
7. Learn from yours & others mistakes (see what reads well)
8. Submit photos as well, bearing in mind above rules on photography

C. WEBSITE

1. Upload reports as soon as possible after game/event.
2. Don't use nicknames
3. Try to vary names of players mentioned, but not too many in each report.
4. Make sure young people are not identifiable by picture if pictures are used nor should they be identifiable from text that accompanies a picture
5. There must be no player profiles with pictures on age group pages
6. Committee reserves right to remove any article/picture if it deems it offensive or feels that it puts a young person at risk
7. Remember to check that if a child is under a care order there may be an embargo on publishing his/her name.
8. Webcams are becoming increasingly common but control is difficult so if one is ever used ALL people likely to be caught on webcam must give their consent

D. MOBILES

1. Club Officials & Coaches should not communicate with individual children by text or on-line (however a group communication is acceptable).

Photo consent form