A social media policy tells volunteers, players and parents how the club uses social media. It does not need to be long. A page that people read is more useful than a document that nobody opens. This guide lists what to include. It is general guidance, not legal advice. Your sport’s governing body may publish its own guidance, and your policy should follow it.
Who posts for the club
Name the people who can post on the club accounts and the person who looks after them. Say who keeps the sign-in details and when the club changes the password. Say which posts need a second person to check them before they go out.
Photos and names of players
Say when the club takes photos and how people can ask not to appear. For junior players, follow your governing body’s guidance and get permission from a parent or carer. Think carefully before you put a junior player’s full name next to their photo. Remove a photo when someone asks.
What the club posts
Describe the normal posts: fixtures, team sheets, results, events, sponsors and club news. Say what the club does not post, such as injuries without the player’s permission, selection disputes or private messages.
Comments and messages
Say how the club answers questions and who checks the messages. Explain what the club does with abusive comments: hide or remove them, and report them where the platform allows. Do not argue in public. Pass any concern about a child’s safety to the person your club names for welfare.
What the club asks of members
Ask players, coaches and parents to treat opponents, referees and volunteers with respect online, as they would at the ground. Say what happens if someone breaks the club’s code of conduct online.
When something goes wrong
Say who to contact when a post is wrong, when an account is hacked or when someone complains. Remove or correct a wrong post quickly, and say that you corrected it if people have already seen it.
Share and review the policy
Put the policy where members can find it and give it to every new volunteer who posts for the club. Review it once a season. For the weekly routine behind the policy, read how to run your club’s social media.