Adamstown Cricket Club recognizes the effective platform for the communications and discussions will be through the social media for the adult and young members. Hence the club manages all the communications to the members through closed groups in the social media.

At the same time the club also fully aware the risks by the use of social media, which in turn risks the club’s reputation, legal obligations and compliances of the club and individual members. This policy is developed with the view to protect the club members, minimise any risks posed and ensure ACC’s social media is used appropriately.

GUIDELINES FOR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS / COMMUNICATIONS

“Think before you post!”

• Posts on ACC’s social media or media linked to ACC’s social media, be it photos, comments or links should not be inappropriate.
• Any member must not engage in activities or transmit content that is harassing, discriminatory, menacing, threatening, obscene, defamatory or in any way objectionable or offensive.
• Members are personally responsible for what they communicate on social media and should remember that what they publish may be available to a wide audience over a lengthy period of time.
• Members should not post comments which could be construed as sensitive, objectionable or inflammatory.
• When using social media, members should respect their audience, which might include adults and young members, their family, etc.
• Members should not engage in any inappropriate chat with young members.
• Members should not post any messages, criticising a player’s performance or skill development or make a personal attack on any player, umpire, official club or any other person or body which could bring the game or ACC into disrepute.
• Inappropriate, derogatory or defamatory remarks or unseemly language should never be used

Anyone who finds a post inappropriate or wishes to make a complaint should e-mail details to the Club President and Hon. Secretary at adamstowncricket@gmail.com

SANCTIONS

• Any posts / comments that are deemed to flout the guidelines above will be removed by the administrators and will be communicated to the person who posted.
• Any ACC member who persistently posts inappropriate content will be dealt with by the Executive board by referring the matter to Club’s disciplinary subcommittee.
• Destructive or negative uses will be deleted and users blocked from engaging with the club’s Facebook page, Twitter account.
• The Club Designated Liaison Person will be informed of any matters relating to young or vulnerable people and deal with the post as appropriate.
• There may also be additional sanctions imposed on the Club/member by Leinster Cricket Union and Cricket Ireland.

CLUB’s SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS AND USAGE

Below are the social media pages/accounts which ACC currently have, we may add or change them in future to cater for our needs. 

Instagram:              @adamstowncricket

Twitter account:     @ACC_Cricket

Facebook page:        https://www.facebook.com/AdamstownCricketClub/

Website:                 https://adamstowncc.hitscricket.com/

• Material published on these mediums is strictly controlled by the members of the Executive Committee (Board members).
• The Executive Committee authorises certain individuals involved in key roles within the Club to post on these social media platforms.
• Comments and photos/videos posted will feature positive club news and events.
• Personal information about members will not be disclosed.
• No statements will be made that are misleading, false or likely to injure the reputation of another person/club.

   

  IMPLICATIONS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

  The Cricket Ireland Child Safeguarding Manual (CI Child Safeguarding Manual) and the Club’s Child Safeguarding Statement provide the relevant guidance to communicating with young or vulnerable people. Contacting young people by phone, text, e-mail or social networking site should never be undertaken without parental consent. The key Do’s and Don’ts when communicating with young people are: 

  Do

• Contact players only when necessary
• Copy parents into written communication (i.e. letters or emails)
• Speak with a player and their parents if there is a need to communicate information in relation to playing, training or competition
• Clearly state the club’s policy on communication with players and parents.

   

  Avoid

• Contacting a young person unnecessarily
• E-mailing young people directly as individuals (but this can be done as part of a disclosed list, once permission has been gained to do so)
• Using text or a social networking site as a medium of contact with a young person
• Making or receiving calls on a mobile phone
• E-mailing one young person without copying in parents, other players or club members.

   

  WHATSAPP

  WhatsApp is being increasingly used by Club members as a useful communication tool. The club authorises the use of Whatsapp groups for the youth section which are relevant to the youth teams/trainings. These groups will be maintained and/or monitored by the Executive board.

  This clause recognises that Whatsapp is being used with young persons and provides guidance on good practice for using the app, for the club members other than the youth section.
  

  Do

• Have an adult (Captain/Coach or Manager) set the group up (allowing admin rights)
• Ensure the group has at least 2 adults
• Tell participants what the app is/isn’t to be used for
• Inform parents of young people, about its intended use
• Get the participants to agree how the app is to be used i.e. only Cricket orientated content
• Keep language appropriate
• Ensure members have a mechanism to report inappropriate content

   

  Don’t

• Assume everyone is on WhatsApp
• Use the app for private messaging
• Use the app to replace formal feedback

This guidance should be applied to all equivalent social media/group communication apps.