At Blackrock A.C., we use social media and messaging apps to celebrate our athletes’ achievements and keep members informed. To protect our younger members, we strictly enforce “Direct Contact” boundaries.

1. The Golden Rule of Communication

Coaches and volunteers must never communicate individually with a juvenile athlete. * All communication regarding training, schedules, or events must be directed to the parent or guardian.

• Personal social media accounts must never be used to contact underage members.

• This includes Gaisce volunteers and student coaches.

2. WhatsApp Group Standards

Blackrock A.C. uses WhatsApp for efficient club updates, following these strict safety protocols:

• Admin-Only Posting: Most juvenile group chats are set to “Admin-Only” to prevent clutter and ensure only official club information is shared.

• Adults Only: Children (Under 18) are never permitted to be members of club WhatsApp groups. This protects their personal phone numbers and privacy.

• Consent: Participants must consent to be added to a group and must be informed of the group’s specific purpose.

• Reporting: Any inappropriate content should be reported immediately to the group admin, the Club Children’s Officer, or the Committee.

3. Photography & Club Imagery

We love sharing photos of our athletes in action, but safety and club values come first:

• Consent Check: Coaches are notified at the start of the year of any child whose parents have opted out of photography. These athletes must not be filmed or photographed.

• Athletic Values: We only share images that promote a healthy, athletic lifestyle. We avoid imagery of unhealthy food (e.g., fast food or sweets) that could imply club endorsement.

• Brand Identity: Use high-quality, authentic visuals that feature official Blackrock A.C. colours and logos.

• Copyright: All imagery must comply with legal and ethical standards.

4. Summary for Coaches & Officials