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Sporting clubs forbid photos of kids
30jan06
PARENTS are being banned from taking photos of their children at sporting events in response to growing fears about pedophiles.
Queensland's junior sports clubs are demanding parents get permission from other parents and team officials before photographing children.
And some sporting codes now require professional photographers to hold blue cards before allowing them to work at grand finals.
Many clubs said the crackdown was in response to reports about men photographing children swimming at South Bank in inner Brisbane and posting the images on websites.
South Bank and pool operators such as Belgravia Leisure, which runs a chain of water parks including the Albany Creek Leisure Centre on Brisbane's northside, said they had a policy of asking people not to take photographs without permission.
They also banned mobile phones with camera functions in their change rooms.
A similar situation now applied at most of the state's patrolled beaches, where lifesavers have been given guidelines on camera use.
"Sadly in this day and age we have had to be more vigilant," a Surf Life Saving Queensland spokeswoman said.
"We don't want to stop the mums and dads taking photos, and nor is that our place, but it's all part of our duty of care."
Queensland Netball affiliates such as the Downey Park Netball Association in Brisbane have a total ban on photography unless it has approval from team officials.
Netball Queensland also has an official policy of employing only photographers with blue cards.
"We ask parents who want to take pictures of their children to go to the manager of both teams which will be playing," Downey Park president Jane Seawright said.
"The policy has been in place for over two years because sometimes we have undesirables hanging around."
AFL Brisbane juniors administration manager Cherie Brockwell said that from the start of the season in April the league would make parents check with ground marshals before taking pictures.
"It was only a recommendation last season," she said.
"We haven't had any incidents but we decided to be proactive because of what happened at South Bank."
Queensland Rugby League southeast division juniors executive officer Keith Blake said anyone wanting to take pictures had to get verbal permission from a child's parents, guardian or the team manager. Official photographers needed blue cards.
Local councils do not have policies banning photography from pools or public venues, but maintain a watch over people with cameras.
Queensland Photographic Society past president John Edwards said photography enthusiasts were increasingly self-censoring, choosing not to take "social documentary" pictures of people in public.
A Grandparents and Grandchildren Society spokeswoman said the changes removed a simple pleasure for families.
"These photos are what grandparents live for," she said. "You take that away and you're taking away a lot of enjoyment of life for a lot of people."
Bron: The Courier Mail
30jan06
PARENTS are being banned from taking photos of their children at sporting events in response to growing fears about pedophiles.
Queensland's junior sports clubs are demanding parents get permission from other parents and team officials before photographing children.
And some sporting codes now require professional photographers to hold blue cards before allowing them to work at grand finals.
Many clubs said the crackdown was in response to reports about men photographing children swimming at South Bank in inner Brisbane and posting the images on websites.
South Bank and pool operators such as Belgravia Leisure, which runs a chain of water parks including the Albany Creek Leisure Centre on Brisbane's northside, said they had a policy of asking people not to take photographs without permission.
They also banned mobile phones with camera functions in their change rooms.
A similar situation now applied at most of the state's patrolled beaches, where lifesavers have been given guidelines on camera use.
"Sadly in this day and age we have had to be more vigilant," a Surf Life Saving Queensland spokeswoman said.
"We don't want to stop the mums and dads taking photos, and nor is that our place, but it's all part of our duty of care."
Queensland Netball affiliates such as the Downey Park Netball Association in Brisbane have a total ban on photography unless it has approval from team officials.
Netball Queensland also has an official policy of employing only photographers with blue cards.
"We ask parents who want to take pictures of their children to go to the manager of both teams which will be playing," Downey Park president Jane Seawright said.
"The policy has been in place for over two years because sometimes we have undesirables hanging around."
AFL Brisbane juniors administration manager Cherie Brockwell said that from the start of the season in April the league would make parents check with ground marshals before taking pictures.
"It was only a recommendation last season," she said.
"We haven't had any incidents but we decided to be proactive because of what happened at South Bank."
Queensland Rugby League southeast division juniors executive officer Keith Blake said anyone wanting to take pictures had to get verbal permission from a child's parents, guardian or the team manager. Official photographers needed blue cards.
Local councils do not have policies banning photography from pools or public venues, but maintain a watch over people with cameras.
Queensland Photographic Society past president John Edwards said photography enthusiasts were increasingly self-censoring, choosing not to take "social documentary" pictures of people in public.
A Grandparents and Grandchildren Society spokeswoman said the changes removed a simple pleasure for families.
"These photos are what grandparents live for," she said. "You take that away and you're taking away a lot of enjoyment of life for a lot of people."
Bron: The Courier Mail
(ja sorry, kon het even niet laten :wink