Public media and online presence streams refer to technologies to communicate information that is readily available through the World Wide Web and its various mechanisms.
Social media refers to the use of apps such as twitter, Instagram, Linkedin, TikTok, Facebook, and many others that offer the opportunity to interact socially with others by way of messages, images and video.
Elite Soccer Academy Inc. does not restrict its members the use of public media, however all members are subject to the same Elite standard and conduct of its staff.
Posted activities, pictures, conversations and comments that appear to violate the code of conduct, will be investigated and if deemed to be offensive, disruptive or misleading, will be managed appropriately.
Once information is posted in a public domain, it is open to the general public and can be accessed and used without your permission or knowledge. Any material posted (Comments/pictures/video/sounds) can easily be shared and quickly becoming viral.
Posting pictures of others may be considered a violation of their privacy – always seek permission first (when they are in a clear state of mind to make that decision).
Groups and/or persons whose presence may have been captured in the background of a photo may not be in agreement, consider violation of privacy. Always ask for permission)
What may seem to be harmless fun might not be viewed as such by others.
Many social networking sites track all of your activities on their site, as well (often) on other sites so they can monitor your interests and you may be subject to target marketing of material that may not be of your interest or even appropriate.
Posters can become victims of identity theft. Your safety and privacy can become compromised if someone obtains personal information, such as your place of residence, friend networks and personal contact information.
DO NOT post personal information, or any material that may be embarrassing to others.
Refrain from using inappropriate language, and personal views on delicate matters such as race, sexual orientation, gender and religion.
DO NOT share passwords, and set your privacy settings to help keep your identity information safe.
Carefully vet who you invite to be your “friends” and make sure the purpose and intent is genuinely in good faith.
Keep posted material respectful as potential employers can access profiles before they make interviewing/hiring decisions.
Review and consider all material within posts before resharing/reposting. Although they are not your own, by sharing, you are indirectly endorsing all material in the post.
All posts between a coach (or employee, volunteer, or adult participant) & athletes must be for the purpose of communicating information about team activities. Direct messaging or private messaging between a coach & a minor athlete is prohibited (another responsible adult must be copied or the message).
Although discouraged as a primary form of communication, texting is allowed between coaches & athletes. All texts between coaches & athletes must be professional and for the purpose of communicating information about team activities. Texting should not occur after 9 pm unless in emergencies. Text messages from coaches to a minor athlete must include a copy to such athlete’s parent(s) or guardian(s) unless the parent(s) or guardian(s) have previously approved in writing direct communication between the coach & the athlete.
Elite Soccer Academy Inc. owns one single account per social media stream. All others accounts that may reference Elite Soccer Academy Inc. are either team specific owned and operated by members of the respective team, or completely outside of the academy’s domain and should not be directly associated.
Academy teams may associate their respective social media accounts to Elite’s main social channels under the following conditions:
1. Written permission to use the academy’s visual identity material such as logos, and in full compliance to maintain its proprietary visual integrity
2. Clear disclaimer outlining the purpose of the channel and its primary operators/account managers
3. ALL social media posts associated to an academy event, MUST be tagged to the academy’s main social media accounts
4. Commitment to immediate removal of any content that may be deemed in conflict with the academy’s values, upon request
5. The ONLY approved naming convention of a social media account is (ELITE)(YEAR)(TEAM LABEL)
**Example: ELITE2025_HP
6. Elite Soccer Academy Inc. and its staff is indemnified against any financial, legal or administrative responsibility over any fundraising and sponsorship activities.
Social media & electronic communications can be used to commit abuse and misconduct (e.g., emotional, sexual, bullying, harassment, and hazing). Such communications by coaches, employees, volunteers, adult participants, or athletes will not be tolerated and are strictly prohibited by Elite Soccer Academy.
Anyone who violates this Electronic Communications & Social Media Policy is subject to appropriate disciplinary action including but not limited to suspension, expulsion and/or referral to law enforcement authorities. Violations of this Policy should be reported to Elite Soccer Academy Leadership Team.
