Our Approach

Sapphire Gymnastics Club recognises that whilst we have a duty to ensure the welfare and protection of all participants, particularly children, those at risk or elite athletes, many of these participants, as well as parents, coaches and other gymnastics enthusiasts, may want to record events through photography or videography.

It is not our intention to prohibit this activity, but to provide policy and guidance to ensure the continued safety of all our members.

Photography of gymnastics activity should always safeguard gymnasts, respect rights to privacy, comply with relevant Data Protection legislation and present the sport positively.

Purpose

This policy has been created to bring together, standardise and update our guidance and documents regarding the taking of photographs and/or video in different gymnastics contexts and environments.

Scope

This policy applies to Sapphire Gymnastics Club and satellite clubs.

This policy applies to all photography or filming carried out in any Sapphire Gymnastics Club regulated activity or environment.

This includes:

Competitions or events run by or on behalf of British or Scottish Gymnastics, registered clubs or affiliated organisations.
Gymnastics activities including training sessions and other club activities.
Competitions, festivals, regular training sessions, workshops, courses and similar activities.

The policy also applies to all Sapphire Gymnastics Club members and anyone else taking photographs in a British or Scottish Gymnastics regulated environment.

The policy does not apply to images or video taken for appropriate and purely personal purposes that are not shared or published in any format, including online publication via social media, except where access to images is restricted to the family and close friends of those featured in the photograph or video.

Policy Statements

Any photographs or video of children must not be used in a way that would place a child at risk of harm.
Photography or filming must not be used in a way that is inappropriate given the age of the participant and the context in which the image was taken.
Photography or filming must not be used in a way that would cause damage or distress to any individual, or in a way that could bring the sport into disrepute.
Live streaming of video footage is not permitted, except for major events where written prior approval has been obtained from British Gymnastics. This does not apply to the use of cameras as a means of providing an open training environment.

Photography is strictly prohibited in toilet, shower and changing facilities.

Data Protection & Privacy

Photography and filming of identifiable living individuals must be carried out in a way that ensures compliance with applicable data protection laws.

This includes:

Ensuring there is a legal basis for taking and publishing any photograph.
Ensuring transparent information is provided.
Ensuring images are stored securely and are not held for longer than necessary.

When publishing images of children, the publisher must ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to minimise the likelihood of anyone who is not authorised to view or use those images from doing so.

Editing & Appropriate Use

Sapphire Gymnastics Club recognises that the editing of images and video is commonplace. Whilst some editing is acceptable, images should not be edited in such a way as to cause embarrassment or distress to the subject or others, or in a way that would make the final image inappropriate.

Any use of photography or video for marketing purposes that features, or is aimed at, children should comply with applicable advertising standards, including the Committee of Advertising Practice Code.

Definitions

Photography

“Photographs” or “photography” are used in this policy to include any still images or video of identifiable living people.

Publication

“Publication” means photographs being shared in a way that makes them accessible to others.

This includes online publication, such as on a website or social media, even where there are some levels of access restriction, and printed media including publications, presentations and marketing material.

Personal Use

“Personal Use” or “Personal Photography” means images taken by individuals to record an event which are not intended to be shared or published.

Personal or Consumer Photography Equipment

This means equipment deemed appropriate for individuals to use in a personal capacity.

This includes, but is not limited to, smartphone or tablet cameras, digital and bridge cameras, and entry-level DSLR or mirrorless cameras.

Professional Photography Equipment

Photographic or video equipment generally recognised as professional equipment or intended for commercial use, including but not limited to high-performance DSLR or mirrorless cameras, telephoto or zoom lenses, or users with multiple lenses, is not considered appropriate except when used by an accredited media photographer.

Where there is a dispute as to the capability of the equipment, the Event Organiser’s decision is final.

Roles & Responsibilities

Sapphire Gymnastics Club is responsible for upholding the policy rules across the gymnastics community. Any breaches should be addressed using the Complaints and Disciplinary Policy and Procedures and, where appropriate, event rules.

Sapphire Gymnastics Club and all registered and affiliated organisations are responsible for implementing the policy at gymnastics activities, including competitions, events and gymnastics-related social activities.

Clubs, event organisers and members should ensure that any photography taking place is carried out in line with this policy and its procedures.

Any breaches should be reported to the British Gymnastics Integrity Unit for further investigation.

Monitoring & Review

The policy will be reviewed following significant changes in legislation, technological capabilities or at the relevant review point set by British Gymnastics governance procedures.

The policy should be used in conjunction with the British Gymnastics Safeguarding Policy, Health, Safety & Welfare Policy and associated documents, as well as relevant Data Protection guidance.

Some venues may also have specific rules and regulations regarding the use of photography. These should be adhered to in addition to this policy.

Photography at the Club

Before taking any photography on behalf of Sapphire Gymnastics Club, those individuals who will feature in the images and, where appropriate, their parent(s) or guardian(s), should be fully informed in advance.

Unless an individual is a person of public interest, for example an elite gymnast, no personal information about children other than the name of the subject and the name of the club should be published with the images.

It is advisable to use only the forename of the subjects rather than their full name.

Care must be taken to ensure images are not published where there is a legal or safeguarding reason not to do so, such as where an individual is subject to a court order preventing publication of images.

Storage & Publication

Images should not be stored on portable equipment without encryption.
Only photography taken for personal purposes should be stored or shared on personal devices or personal social media accounts.
Those responsible for creating or maintaining website and social media content should regularly monitor content to ensure that both imagery and accompanying captions or text remain appropriate.

Before taking photographs or video footage, consideration should be given to safeguarding all gymnasts, ensuring appropriate control measures are in place and complying with applicable Data Protection law.

Before publication, all imagery must be checked to ensure it is appropriate.

Official Photographers

Official photographers may be used at public events by the event organiser.

In these circumstances, the official photographer should be clearly identifiable and should adhere to this policy and any further guidance produced in respect of British Gymnastics accredited media or official photographers.

Any person at an event who has concerns about images being taken by any person should bring those concerns to the attention of the event organiser or other designated person.

Commercial photography organisations may be used to take photographs for the purpose of making and selling photographs to the audience at an event.

Photography Equipment at Events

The use of flash photography or additional lighting is not permitted.
Photographic or video equipment must not be connected to external power supplies, including for charging or to use mains power instead of batteries.

Prior to undertaking any photography, individuals should refer to the British Gymnastics guidance and FAQs on Photography and Video.