Doing some searching around and contacting different parties about this very issue. Maybe I could get some comments and feedback.
Basically I want to get into shooting sports, I don't have the equipment or experience to look for paid positions as such, so my intention was to go shoot Sunday kids football maybe build up a collection of images post them on a site where the parents could buy prints.
Eventually saving for a lens a kind of "photography paying for photography" set up.
I've read and watched loads of information in regards to the legalities of taking pictures in public, and as this thread highlights there are no specific rules which state I CAN'T.
So, with confidence, I went to a local game 2 minutes down the road and took some shots. Not the best results... but a start, I got a few looks from parents but I could understand why, I appear to have done the worst thing possible and just turn up and shoot.
So Immediately after the game I went and contacted the league and the manager of the team to smooth things over and OK it for future dates. The information I got from Hannah a rep from the league was that it was ok. She sent me documents containing statements that reassured me like "There has been much talk about who is allowed to take pictures of children (under 18s) playing sport and in particular what parents/carers are permitted to do. The FA would like to assure parents, carers, coaches, spectators, players and local media that we encourage the taking of appropriate images of children in football."
Now the person directly connected with the team said something not quite the same. After a few emails I'm now in a position where I have to meet the welfare officer of the club, and prove I have a CRB (Which I do) He will then bring the 'issue' up at the next meeting to decide if I can go ahead. If so, I'll have to meet with some coaches and other (What I consider) unnecessary formalities.
I've just found it really discouraging. I really thought it would work out much simpler than this.