Question
I did not consent to my child’s photos (or video of them) being taken during games and at practices. Can the Region stop this from happening?
Answer
Region 88 takes all of our players safety seriously and we have looked into this matter extensively. A parent is fully entitled to record the games and take photos of their child during the games and practices. This may result in other players having their photos or video of them being taken as a result without their or their parent’s consent.
Region 88 uses public locations for games/practices and have numerous times discussed the issue of people taking photos and videos of the players, without the player or parents consent, with both Glendale Parks and Recreation and Glendale Police Department. This issue has also been raised with AYSO National. We have been advised that since everything is occurring in a public location, we cannot prevent anyone (including third persons not associated with AYSO) from taking photos or videos of our players. We have, in the past, had third parties undertake this and then try to sell action photos of players to parents. Again, nothing can be done to stop this. This is one of the main reasons that we do not place either first or last names on jerseys. Further, the Region cannot ask parents or third parties to delete items on their phones or cameras.
As always, if you feel that your player is not in a safe situation or environment, then you are free to remove your player at anytime. We will always respect a parents decision to act in their players safety.