Young man wanting to film at sporting event

[MelbourneWay]

Name changed for this.

I am a volunteer organiser of sporting events for young adults, age range 12-30. I get a licence from the governing body of the sport to put these events on so that I am covered by their insurance, and I pay locally for hire of facilities etc., however, the events do take place in public places on sports fields etc.

For child protection reasons we have a policy of "no filming or photography". The parents of the young adults taking part in our event need to know that we have appropriate precautions in place, and indeed we have our own photographer who supplies free photographs for parents.

However, there is a local man in his 20s who is a massive fan of the sport and he has his own Instagram channel of film clips etc. I suppose he would be called an “influencer”. Yesterday, he announced to his followers that he is covering our next event on his channel.

We reached out to him saying that we did not need him at our event as we already had a photographer, but he said he was going to be there anyway.
We said he was welcome to attend in a personal capacity but asked him not to film or put any film clips on his channel.

He has not responded but has since posted again about his intentions for his channel to be at our next event. Assuming he turns up on the day, what do I as the meeting organiser do? Or am I overthinking things?

If you're in a public place there's nothing you can do.

I'd be contacting Instagram beforehand as well. Or posting messages on the account as to why you think it is wrong. Thank you to others for explaining the reasons why such filming is unacceptable.

I would not condemn blocking the view or using a water pistol. I expect if you even suggested calling the police, the man would leave, not that hopefully it will come to that.

You can’t stop him but you can make it very difficult for him.
ie, have someone or several people who’s sole purpose is to block his ability to film simply by standing in the way or holding a sign such as an A2 piece of card saying ‘strictly no personal photography permitted at this event’
which they can hold in front of his cameras.

I’ve been through this.
we tried to block him but he was very persistent, I was sure he had less than innocent motives so made it my mission as a parent and co organiser of the club to block his access to film.
we were told we couldn’t stop him being there or do anything to prevent him but we could cause an obstruction to stop him being able to film.

it took several weeks but eventually he got the message and stopped.

You could try explaining to him that if he insists on filming then several vulnerable children will be unable to participate. If he has any decency he will agree not to film.

If he insists on going ahead I would call him out publicly.

OP if you have any social media presence then in conjunction with contacting all parents, you should put a notice up on your SM account reminding there is to be no photography or filming of players under 18 and no posting on the internet either. Due to a threat of this recently some children may have to withdraw from their activity.

Do not link it to his account(s) before the day.

But it will be a matter of public record if he then attends and makes a meal out of not being able to film. Which is entirely possible because he's looking for followers, ie attention.

Thanks @AnnieDav, what excellent suggestions.

@BeesKnee @daretodenim Two excellent suggestions, thank you.

If it's a public location there is nothing you can do. It not illegal to photograph or film other people, even children, in public, as several threads recently have indicated. Blocking his view with boards could be behaviour likely to lead to a breach of the peace.

Could you change venue but keep this on a strictly need to know basis?