Social Media Guidelines

Be Aware

Next Pro Elites recognises that social media and online communication are an important part of modern football.

We want players, parents, guardians, coaches and staff to be able to engage with Next Pro Elites online in a positive, respectful and responsible way.

These guidelines apply to activity on social media platforms and online communication channels, including but not limited to Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp and other online platforms.

As a member of the Next Pro Elites community, you are responsible for the content you post, share, comment on or otherwise communicate online.

We expect everyone connected with Next Pro Elites to follow applicable football regulations, safeguarding requirements and the standards set out in our Code of Conduct.

Respect Online

It is not acceptable to post, share or communicate content that is, or could reasonably be considered:

Offensive or insulting.
Abusive or threatening.
Bullying or intimidating.
Racist or discriminatory.
Sexist or degrading.
Homophobic or otherwise discriminatory.
Defamatory or deliberately misleading.
Intended to harass, embarrass or cause harm to another person.
Inappropriate for children or young people.
Likely to compromise the safety, privacy or welfare of a player, parent, coach or member of staff.

This applies to comments made about or directed towards Next Pro Elites, our coaches, staff, players, parents, guardians, referees, opposition players, officials, venues or other members of the football community.

Players, Parents & Guardians

We ask all players, parents and guardians to think carefully before posting or sharing anything online.

Please remember that:

Social media posts can be permanent and can be shared beyond their original audience.
Written messages can easily be misunderstood because tone and intention are not always clear online.
A disagreement should never become an online argument or personal attack.
Concerns about coaching, playing time, team selection or other academy matters should be raised privately and respectfully with the appropriate Next Pro Elites staff member.
Children and young people should never be publicly criticised, humiliated or targeted online.
Personal information about players or families should not be shared without appropriate permission.
Private conversations, screenshots or academy group messages should not be shared publicly without permission.

Photographs & Videos

Parents, guardians, players and spectators should respect the privacy of other children and families when taking or sharing photographs or videos at Next Pro Elites activities.

Please do not post photographs or videos of other children on social media without appropriate consent from their parent or guardian.

Any content shared online should be appropriate, respectful and consistent with our safeguarding policies.

Next Pro Elites may also have its own arrangements regarding photography and video at training sessions, matches and events. Please follow any instructions provided by our coaching or safeguarding team.

Coaches & Staff

Coaches and staff are expected to maintain professional boundaries when communicating with players and families online.

They must follow Next Pro Elites safeguarding procedures and should use appropriate communication channels when communicating with children and young people.

Any concern regarding inappropriate online communication involving a coach, staff member, player or another adult should be reported to the Next Pro Elites Safeguarding Lead.

Abuse, Threats & Discrimination

Next Pro Elites will not tolerate online abuse, harassment, threats, bullying, discrimination or hate speech.

Where inappropriate online behaviour involves a Next Pro Elites player, parent, guardian, coach, staff member or activity, the academy may investigate and take appropriate action under our Code of Conduct and safeguarding procedures.

Depending on the nature and seriousness of the behaviour, this may include:

A formal warning.
Removal of inappropriate content where possible.
A meeting with the individual and/or parent or guardian.
Restrictions on participation or attendance.
Suspension from Next Pro Elites activities.
Termination of membership.
Referral to the relevant football governing body, safeguarding organisation or authorities where appropriate.

Threatening, abusive, discriminatory or defamatory content may also have consequences under applicable law

Think Before You Post

Before posting or sharing something connected to Next Pro Elites, ask yourself:

Is it respectful?

Is it necessary?

Could it embarrass, upset or harm someone?

Would I be comfortable saying it face-to-face?

Does it protect the privacy and safety of children and young people?

If the answer to any of these questions is no, do not post it.

Raising Concerns

If you have a concern about a Next Pro Elites session, coach, player, parent, safeguarding matter or other academy issue, please contact the appropriate member of the Next Pro Elites team directly rather than raising the issue publicly on social media.

We encourage concerns to be raised calmly and constructively so that they can be addressed appropriately.

For safeguarding concerns, please contact the Next Pro Elites Safeguarding Lead through the contact details provided by the academy.

Online Safety

Parents and guardians are encouraged to familiarise themselves with current online safety guidance for children and young people and to talk regularly with their children about responsible use of social media, messaging services and online gaming platforms.

Parents should also be aware of privacy settings, age restrictions, inappropriate content, online bullying, unwanted contact and the risks associated with communicating with unknown individuals online.

Next Pro Elites encourages an open and supportive approach where children feel comfortable speaking to a trusted adult if something online makes them feel uncomfortable, worried or unsafe.

Our Approach

Social media should be used to celebrate football, encourage players, share achievements and build a positive community.

We ask everyone connected with Next Pro Elites to help us maintain an online environment that reflects the same standards we expect on the pitch:

Respect others.
Think before you post.
Protect our players.
Communicate positively.
Represent Next Pro Elites responsibly.