Local Cricket & ECB Directive

Sgt_Bilko99

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Not that the football season is over for now, I thought I would get in touch with my local cricket club. I have taken photos there last year so I had a contact, so I got in touch only to be told that due to the ECB bringing out a new directive I had to show my 'photography licence' to the welfare officer and get permission fro the other team before shooting in case there are any under 18 players.
Having explained that I was only a amateur photographer, the only way that they would allow me to photograph at their cricket matches is if they run a CRB check. Not a problem, but it does seam a bit OT to me.
Anybody else have a problem with this new safe guarding children directive?
 
http://static.ecb.co.uk/files/029kb-11293.pdf

They are guidelines and as I read it, each club needs to formulate their own policy for photography, taking these guidelines into account. I am guessing the club you have approached have decided that a CRB check is the best way to cover their behinds, as it were, especially as you are not a parent/carer involved in the club. It probably is overkill and certainly not a legal requirement, nor even part of the ECB guidelines, but not a lot of point debating the issue, if you want to take photos, easier all round to just do it how they prefer imo. ;)
 
Thanks Yvonne, I have read the guidelines and I thought they had just misinterpreted them. They will send me the form to fill out, no problem. Just a missed opportunity to try out my 300mm and 1.4 TC on a glorious afternoon.
 
unbeleivable to be honest.. and... Surely they are not allowed to apply for a CRB if the person will not fit the criteria.. ie wont be in contact with anyone vulnerable.. I bet if they apply they will get knocked back..

To be honest I am amazed.. and saddened.. what a load of tosh..
 
Just to clarify Tony, I plan to do quite a few games this year and submit to local weekly paper (for a fee if printed), so they will say that I'm the clubs photographer.
No real problem filling out a form if that is what they require, but yes you are correct I won't be in direct contact with any minors and know not to put names to photos without consent if they are a minor.
 
Just seems so silly from the clubs point of view... Good luck with it though.. done 5 matches this weekend for three different papers.. fed up of it... until next week :)
 
a sports photogrpaher shoots from the sidelines.. a couple of feet away from spectators.. why arnt they all CRB then? plus whats the danger.. that the photogrpaher may run on the pitch and attack any player he thinks is under 18 ... ?
 
a sports photogrpaher shoots from the sidelines.. a couple of feet away from spectators.. why arnt they all CRB then? plus whats the danger.. that the photogrpaher may run on the pitch and attack any player he thinks is under 18 ... ?

well thats the thing isn't it, it's that very common modern trait, ass-covering, and showing little understanding of the reasons why/when a CRB would needed. However, having said that, I can see the clubs point of view even if I don't agree with it - at least this way if any parent does make a fuss, they can say the OP is CRB checked, which whilst WE know is no guarantee of anything, it can calm ruffled parental feathers.


I am more interested in the 'photographers licence' they requested? I am guessing they actually mean media accreditation as I can't actually think of anyone that awards licences to wave a camera ;)
 
I have been shooting local cricket for a few years now and yesterday was the first request I received not to take their photo, because the guy had phoned in to work sick so he could play cricket and didn't want anything that could get him in trouble.

The whole CRB thing is about people protecting their own asses and people see them as a shield against perverts and child killers. And we know of cases where CRB holders have done what they are supposed to stop. Its all about making money to carry out the checks and giving people jobs.
 
Just volunteer to shoot the 'adult' teams. Veto the junior teams. When will people who run these organisations understand the term 'risk assessment' and do it properly. Even if someone has a 'press accreditation' doesn't mean they've been CRBd. Load of nonsense. "in sole charge" is the usual criteria for a CRB (or DBS as it is now). Surely the way forward is to include a clause in the membership that matches etc may be photographed/videoed and that consent is assumed unless they decline by ticking box.
 
Carol, this is for the adult team, but there may one or two under 18's playing in these matches.
The ECB directive leaves it to the individual club to draft their own policy regarding photography.
 
Just volunteer to shoot the 'adult' teams. Veto the junior teams. When will people who run these organisations understand the term 'risk assessment' and do it properly. Even if someone has a 'press accreditation' doesn't mean they've been CRBd. Load of nonsense. "in sole charge" is the usual criteria for a CRB (or DBS as it is now). Surely the way forward is to include a clause in the membership that matches etc may be photographed/videoed and that consent is assumed unless they decline by ticking box.

Most of the junior teams I cover have the authorisation signed at the start of the season. I still touch base a few days before with the coaches and also ask for the CWO's contact details so I can arrange to meet and discuss any issues they may have... It's jumping through hoops but I've never been prevented from shooting.
 
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