The internet is a rapidly growing medium which is useful for communicating information, but is difficult to police in relation to inappropriate access to the young and vulnerable. The Club maintains its own web site and takes the view that parents and guardians of young players should be aware of the guidelines within which the Club operates in putting material onto the web site. For this reason this Web Site Policy is deemed to be an integral part of the Club’s broader Child Protection Policy.

From time to time the Club disseminates Club news through the web site. This news may include match reports prepared by coaches, volunteers, parents or guardians which may make reference to individual young players’ displays of technical skills or sportsmanship. It may also include, on occasions, photographs taken by coaches, volunteers, parents or guardians consisting of action shots, team groupings or tour activities.

The Club is conscious of the need to act responsibly in its use of the web site and adheres strictly to the few simple rules set out below:

1. At no time will any reference be made to any child’s address or any other personal or inappropriate information be reproduced on the web site;
2. All photographs of children will be taken with the child in KCS Old Boys Rugby kit, a tracksuit or full outdoor clothing;
3. No photographs that are in any other way inappropriate will be permitted to appear;
4. All material provided with the intention that it be placed on the web site will be subject to review and editing by the Club’s Webmaster to ensure compliance with the Club’s policy;
5. If, in the view of the Club’s Webmaster, any doubt still exists as to the suitability of material supplied to be placed on the web site, it will either be discarded by him or, alternatively, only used after obtaining relevant parental/guardian consents.

The Club is equally concerned not to spoil the undoubted fun that young players get from being able to read on the internet of their own and their team’s performances and to see photographs of “that try”, “that tackle” or “the team on tour”! The Club therefore does not wish to be unnecessarily restrictive and seeks to apply a common sense approach as follows:the Club prefers to operate on the basis that parents/guardians are generally content to leave the question of web site content to the good sense of the Club working within the ambit of its own Child Protection Policy (including the self imposed rules contained in this document); subject to paragraph 3 below, the Club will therefore assume from the fact that parents/guardians continue a young player’s registration as a member of the Club’s Minis Section and that the young player continues to play as a member of the Club as acceptance of the proposition set out in paragraph 1; If any parents/guardians are unwilling to permit the Club itself to monitor the web site in so far as it relates to any young player in respect of whom they exercise parental control, then such fact should be communicated to the Club at the time of player registration for the season or upon first having the Club’s Web Site Policy drawn to their attention.

Parents/guardians should of course raise with the Child Protection Officer any concerns at any particular web site content as soon as they become aware of it.