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What are the rules and regulations of taking photos of junior sports? A club official has asked me to stop taking photos of under 13s as I did not asked permission from the club.

Are you a parent? If yes, then I would continue to take pictures of my own child. If not, then I believe you should abide by the club's wishes, particularly if it's on a private sporting ground. I don't really know what the "rules" are but as a parent (and a teacher) I wouldn't be particularly happy with my child being photographed by someone with no affiliation to the club for unknown purposes.

Its an area that you need to be very careful about. Firstly you should get prior permission, not just from the club but also from the managers of both teams in proxy of the parents. They should be aware of what you intend to do with the photos. Is this legal ? maybe probably not, especially if you are an amtueur and on public property, but definately the right thing to do. I do a lot of kids sports and it is quite rare to get a parent etc thats not ok with appropriate photography. If you do get any club official, manager, parent etc who just would rather you didn't take photos, just don't. Simple.

If you are shooting professionally there are a whole lot of additional rules re Blue Cards etc that you should definately research carefully. There are regulations and penalties.

Al this varies from state to state.
Basically, is the sports ground Private Property or Public Property. If its Private, you need owners permission to take photos. If its Public, ask the local council if there are any restrictiion to take photos. If its Public Property, but the club is leasing the land, you will need to ask the club permission to take photos.
If you are standing on the footpath taking photos into the sports ground, they cant really ask you to stop.
You also need to lookup the State laws, oterwise they might lock you up & add you to the Child Sex Offenders list.

What has happened locally here (eg the Junior Netball) most clubs have passed rules that permision has to be gained from the club to take photos. So parent taking photos of their own kids will be asked to stop unless they have been given permission.

thanks all, my son is playing soccer so all my photos are of his team and the opposing team.

TC wrote:thanks all, my son is playing soccer so all my photos are of his team and the opposing team.

You should just need to check with managers of both teams, and club if that's their policy

Id maybe get a 'Working With Children Check' - just to cover you in case some situation did arise. You can download a form, fill it out and post it off for processing.

Jonathan

jdear wrote:Id maybe get a 'Working With Children Check' - just to cover you in case some situation did arise. You can download a form, fill it out and post it off for processing.

Jonathan

A Blue Card is required if you intend taking photos of anyone other than your own children in my opinion. It's "only" $40.

Hi,

I have taken photos of junior footy in the last 2 years. Since the coach of one of the teams requested me to take some shots, he informed the parents, club committees, refrees and opposing team coaches that there would be a photog covering the match. I didnt have any problems after that. Infact parents came up to me asking if I captured that moment when their kids kicked a goal etc etc.

Point to remember the ref got a little bit $h1tty with me for being within the barrier.... but that was easily fixed, I claimed ignorance

Cheers
Mak