Photography and Filming Policy
– Melbourne Wolves Basketball Club –
In alignment with the policy at Basketball Victoria, Melbourne Wolves Basketball Club recognises that there are many legitimate reasons why photography and filming at sports is very common and does not wish to unnecessarily restrict or curb the creation of that content.
We want to ensure that we, and our Affiliated Associations, Clubs and accredited organisations and agents take reasonable steps to ascertain that photographic and filmed depictions of basketball activities are being used for legitimate and harmless purposes.
Having a video record of a game is useful if there is a reportable incident during the game. The video can be used in evidence. At more senior levels, the competition organisers have made it compulsory for games to be taped for precisely this reason. In addition, the knowledge that a game is being taped may act as a deterrent to bad behaviour because players will know they may be captured on tape, even if a referee does not see the misdeed.
PARENTS, GUARDIANS AND FAMILY
It is perfectly normal and acceptable for parents, guardians or family members to want to film or photograph their children’s sports to keep as a memento of them growing up and share that content via social media or other channels of distribution.
Associations and leagues should usually allow parents, guardians or family members to take photographs and video tape games or training, provided the parents, guardians or family members are known to the association. As a courtesy, the coach or manager of the opposition team should also be notified of the intention to photograph or video the game.
COACHES AND REFEREE COACHES
Coaches are allowed to film their team’s games to assist them in training and game analysis, for the purpose of sensibly and responsibly improving the players. Coaches are also allowed to film for the purposes of scouting another team that plays against the filming team. If this is to occur then both teams should be advised in advance. However, this should usually be allowed.
Coaches who wish to video their own team’s games or training for training purposes should also normally be allowed to do so. Again, the opposition should be informed. Parents of the coach’s own team should be advised by the coach if it is intended to regularly video games or training and the reason for it.
Referee coaches wishing to video games for training or evaluation purposes should advise the teams of their intentions prior to the game. Should any person take objection to the photographing or filming, they should be asked the reason why they object. It should be explained to them that the
Basketball Victoria Photography/Filming Policy permits the creation of content for organisational and individual use. However, if the person objecting has a legitimate and strong reason why the objection is made, then a bar should be placed on that content. A strong reason may include a child safety exemption whereby the child concerned is the subject of contested custody proceedings or has been the subject of violence or threats and publication of a video or photograph may compromise the safety of the child.
This means that competition organisers, associations and clubs have to be ever-vigilant in protecting participants, particularly children, and alert media on site to any reasons to not take imagery or footage.
MEDIA ORGANISATIONS AND ACCREDITATION
Basketball Victoria approves media accreditation from news organisations, websites and social media companies that have been approved with an up-todate Working With Children’s Check (WWCC) and reference from their organisation. These organisations have been approved by Basketball Victoria and have a right to take video and photography at sanctioned events,
competitions and programs.
Accredited media are listed on the Basketball Victoria website to provide associations and individuals with a verified list of media to permit into venues and allow to film or photograph games. They are required to wear their Basketball Victoria Media Accreditation at all times while present within venues and have to wear a high-visibility vest in order to film or take photography on the baseline at Basketball Victoria events.
Accredited media are exempt from notifying the coach or manager of the teams due to the nature of their profession. Basketball Victoria’s venues are considered public spaces and as such media are entitled to produce content in these spaces for editorial or non-advertising purposes and not for any other commercial purpose whatsoever.