Virginia United FC - Social Media Policy

Social media posts can be seen by thousands of people and cannot always be deleted once shared. Poor conduct online reflects on you and on the Club. Football Queensland's Protect Our Game initiative specifically identifies online abuse and social media misconduct as behaviours that damage our sport and our community. VUFC takes this seriously.

VUFC's official social media presence is managed by authorised Club staff and volunteers. Our official accounts are:

• Facebook: Virginia United FC
• Instagram: @virginiaunitedfc

Only authorised personnel may post content on behalf of the Club through these channels. If you have content you'd like shared, send it to admin@virginiaunitedfc.com.au.

When using social media in connection with VUFC - including on your personal accounts where you identify yourself as a Club member, coach or official - you must:

• Treat all people with respect, including players, coaches, referees, opponents, parents and Club staff
• Comply with Football Queensland's Code of Conduct and the FA Code of Conduct
• Think before you post - if you wouldn't say it on the sideline in front of a child, don't post it online
• Respect the privacy of other Club members, particularly children - do not tag minors or post identifiable information about them without parental consent (see our Photography & Media Policy)
• Represent the Club in a manner consistent with our values

The following behaviour is not acceptable and may constitute a breach of this policy and/or Football Queensland's disciplinary regulations:

• Abuse, harassment, threats or intimidation of any person - including players, coaches, referees, opponents or Club officials
• Vilification or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion or any other protected attribute
• Posting false, misleading or defamatory information about any individual or organisation
• Publishing confidential Club information without authorisation
• Posting images or videos of children in a way that breaches our Photography & Media Policy
• Using the Club's name, logo or branding in a way not authorised by the Club

Referee abuse online is treated with particular seriousness by Football Queensland under the Three Strike Policy and Protect Our Game initiative. Any online abuse targeting match officials associated with Club activities will be investigated and may result in disciplinary action by both the Club and FQ.

Breaches of this policy may result in:

• A formal warning from the Club
• Suspension from Club activities
• Referral to Football Queensland for disciplinary action under the FQ Disciplinary Regulations
• Termination of Club membership
• Referral to Queensland Police where conduct may be unlawful (e.g. threats, harassment, unlawful publication of images)

The Club may also report conduct to Football Queensland's Protect Our Game reporting system.

If you experience or witness online abuse connected to Club activities:

• Report it to the Club at admin@virginiaunitedfc.com.au or via our MPIO: MPIO@vufc.com.au
• Report it to Football Queensland via the Protect Our Game reporting form at footballqueensland.com.au/protect-our-game. Football Queensland has partnered with SocialProtect to actively monitor and address online abuse directed at players, coaches and match officials across affiliated clubs
• Report it directly to the social media platform using its reporting tools
• Lodge a complaint with the eSafety Commissioner at esafety.gov.au under the Online Safety Act 2021 (Cth) - the eSafety Commissioner has powers to direct platforms to remove harmful content, including serious online abuse
• Contact Queensland Police if you believe the behaviour constitutes a criminal offence

The Club takes all reports seriously and will respond in accordance with our Member Protection, Child Safety and Code of Conduct policy.

This policy should be read alongside:

• Member Protection, Child Safety and Code of Conduct
• Photography & Media Policy
• Football Australia Code of Conduct
• Football Queensland Protect Our Game