Leamington Football Club (Leamington FC) thrives on positive publicity generated by social media, and it uses this tool itself to promote its activities and to communicate with supporters and stakeholders. Accordingly, Leamington FC entrusts its officers and volunteers to use social media wisely and consider the reputational impact on its name through any mis-use of social media. Similarly, Leamington FC has a reasonable expectation of supporters, including those who write about Leamington FC in an unofficial capacity, to behave responsibly when using social media.

Overview

Social media offers the opportunity for people to gather in online communities of shared interest and create, share or consume content. As a public-facing organisation, Leamington FC recognises the benefits of social media as an important tool of engagement, communication and marketing to our customers and supporters.

It is important that the reputation of Leamington FC, as well as its sponsors and partners, is not tarnished or damaged in any way by anyone using social media tools inappropriately, particularly in relation to any content that directly references Leamington FC.

When someone clearly identifies their association with Leamington FC, or can easily be associated with Leamington FC, in this type of open forum, Leamington FC expects them to behave and express themselves responsibly and in a manner that complies with this policy. The purpose of this policy is to provide some guiding principles for associates of Leamington FC (Associates)* to follow when using social media.

*"Associates" for the purpose of this policy means: Directors, Team Management, Players, Staff and Volunteers as well as officers of all affiliated sections (e.g. Leamington FC in the Community, Leamington Brakes FC, Leamington Lions FC, Leamington FC Academy and Leamington FC Development Teams).

Scope

This policy applies to all Associates and covers all forms of social media.

For the purpose of this policy, social media includes, but is not limited to, activities such as:

• Maintaining a profile page on social networking sites (such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linked-In etc);
• Content sharing including using sites such as Flickr (photo sharing) and YouTube (video sharing);
• Commenting on blogs/forums for personal or business reasons;
• Leaving product or service reviews on retailer sites or customer review sites
• Taking part in online votes and polls;
• Taking part in conversations on public and private web forums (message boards); and
• Editing a Wikipedia page.

The intent of this policy is to cover anything posted online where information is shared that might refer to or otherwise affect members, sponsors, partners, customers, or supporters of Leamington FC as an organisation and/or affect the respective reputations of Leamington FC, the National League or the Football Association and all competitions associated with or run by them.

Guiding Principles

The web is not anonymous. Associates should assume that everything they write online, especially in open forums, can be traced back to them. It is essential therefore that Associates at all times consider their connection with Leamington FC carefully, in particular their role as a representative of Leamington FC, when using social media.  These guidelines are in place to ensure that the intellectual property and reputation of Leamington FC and its affiliated associations is not compromised and that the organisation itself is not brought into disrepute.

Usage

For all Associates using social media, such use:

• Must not contain libellous, defamatory, abusive or otherwise offensive content;
• Must not amount to the harassment of anyone;
• Must refrain from publishing derogatory comments about other football clubs, players or match officials [and any controversial subjects];
• Must not comment on, or publish Leamington FC information that is in any way confidential or otherwise commercially sensitive;
• Must not bring Leamington FC or the sport and any associated governing bodies into disrepute;
• Must not be directly linked with any players aged 18 or under from a personal social networking account; and
• Must not otherwise be in breach of this policy

Official Leamington FC Blogs, Social Pages and Online Forums

When creating a new website, social networking page or forum that is in any way or can in any way judged to be associated with Leamington FC, great care should be taken to ensure the appropriate person has first obtained written permission from Leamington FC to create the page or forum. Similarly, appropriate permissions must be obtained for the use of Leamington FC logos and images.

Images of children may not be replicated on any site without the permission of the child's parents or legal guardian.

For official Leamington FC blogs, social pages and online forums:

• Posts must not contain, nor link to, pornographic or indecent content;
• Associates must not use official Leamington FC pages to promote personal projects;
• All materials published or used must have the prior permission of and expressly acknowledge the copyright of third parties;
• If a blogger or any other online participant posts an inaccurate or negative comment about Leamington FC or anyone associated with Leamington FC, do not respond to the post and inform info@leamingtonfc.co.uk for guidance/advice.

Consideration of Others

Social media allows photographs, videos and comments to be shared with thousands of other users. Associates must recognise that it may not be appropriate to share photographs, videos and comments in this way. For example, there may be an expectation that photographs taken at private Leamington FC functions will not appear publicly or on the internet. Therefore, Associates must not post information they have been asked not to post or where prior consent has not been obtained. Furthermore, they must remove information about another person if they have been asked to do so.

Under no circumstances should offensive comments be made online about Leamington FC, its staff or any affiliated partners or sponsors of Leamington FC.

Breach of Policy

Leamington FC will continually monitor online activity relating to it and / or the sport in general. Detected breaches of this policy should be reported to Leamington FC. If detected, a breach of this policy may result in disciplinary action being taken by Leamington FC, including without limitation a verbal or written warning or, in serious cases, termination of the perpetrator's association with Leamington FC.

Consultation or Advice

This policy has been developed to provide guidance for Associates' use of social media. If you are unsure of your rights, liabilities or actions online and want to seek clarification please contact info@leamingtonfc.co.uk