Sports clubs and their members often handle personal data, payment information, and other sensitive details about their members and participants. Prioritizing cybersecurity and proper handling of personal data should be just as important for sports clubs and associations as for any other organization.

Since many participants in sports clubs are children and young people, extra care is needed when protecting personal data — children may not fully understand the broader implications of data handling and privacy. Clubs also often rely on volunteers who may access this data, adding pressure to keep data protection practices up to date.

Neglecting cybersecurity and data management can lead to severe consequences: data breaches, misuse of information, and even legal penalties. It’s clear that data security is essential for maintaining member trust, ensuring responsible club management, and safeguarding the club’s financial and operational continuity. Luckily, your sports club can mitigate many data risks by following best practices and using management systems with proven security standards.

In this blog, you’ll find a handy checklist to help your club maintain basic cybersecurity practices.

Make sure your club understands at least these key points:

• Think before you publish: Be cautious when sharing personal information or photos on social media, especially when it comes to children. Always ask for consent before publishing photos, particularly for marketing purposes or public-facing content. It’s best practice to obtain photo permissions from parents in advance.  
• Review roles and user access levels in management systems: Personal data is often stored in various club management systems, but not everyone needs access to everything. Review administrator roles and assign access rights based on necessity. Limiting access reduces the risk of accidental or malicious misuse of information. 
• Ensure your privacy policies are in order: According to GDPR, when collecting personal data, clubs must inform members where, how, for how long, and for what purpose their data is stored. Make sure your privacy policy is easily accessible on your club’s website, clearly explaining how data is processed. 
• Carefully choose the digital services and platforms your club uses: Not all service providers prioritize security equally. Stay informed about the platforms your club relies on and their security certifications. Don’t hesitate to ask vendors when their latest security audit was conducted and what level of security their system provides.