Social media and its impacts on Football

The ?terms of engagement? that exists around this space ? twitter, email, blogs, Facebook and others ? are to say the least challenging.
Our Communications team at Football NSW are working on some guidelines that we would suggest be incorporated into the way we in the football community use and engage through these mediums.
We plan to have these guidelines and polices ready in the coming month. We are also working closely with the NSW Sports Federation in implementing information sessions on Overcoming cyber issues in a Sporting Club,  which will look at use of social media sites (e.g. Facebook, MSN), email etiquette, use of mobile phone communications (SMS messages, sexting, phone hacking) and cyber bullying.
It will address the implications of these issues, including social awareness and personal implications, risk to online identities, harm to others and criminal offences.
After reading the coverage of the new Sydney FC/beyondblue partnership in yesterday?s paper ? the powerful impact and importance of social media in our sport was bought home to me.
I encourage all in the Football community to read the article and particular the comments of Dez Giraldi.
?Injuries and missed opportunities played their part in Giraldi’s crisis of confidence, but what hit him hardest, and deepest, was the toxic world of internet forums and the social media. ”It was a big mistake to read them,” he admits.
A Facebook site called ”Watch Dez Giraldi Warm Up” – a clear sledge at his long spells on the treatment table – was the final straw. ”Everything that was said about me, I took it to heart,” he says. ”If I had my time again, I wouldn’t go near them. It’s incredible what people are allowed to get away with. If that sort of bullying went on in a normal workplace, people would be out of a job.”
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/depression-initiative-sad-but-true-state-of-affairs-20120214-1t43u.html#ixzz1mPOm0SfM
Further background on the partnership can be found at http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/sydneyfc/news-display/Sydney-FC-and-beyondblue-Tackle-Depression/45342
The social media space can be a fantastic way to engage, discuss and share our passion and interest in Football.
Equally it can be destructive and hurtful on many levels.
As far as our engagement with the Football NSW Facebook pages ? we recommend each member that manages a Facebook page implement what we call ?House rules?.
An example is listed below that we are happy for everyone to use.
Welcome to Football NSW Facebook page. We?re glad you are here.
This page provides a place to discuss Football NSW policies, initiatives, services and breaking news. The following guidelines are designed to help provide a quality environment for our fans. Please take a minute to read them and keep them in mind whenever you participate.
By using or accessing this page, you agree to comply with Facebook?s Terms and Conditions. While we are excited to hear from everyone, it is important to note that postings by fans to Football NSW?s Facebook page do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Football NSW, nor does Football NSW confirm their accuracy.
We understand that Football is a subject many of you are passionate about ? a passion we share. We welcome all questions and commentary, including constructive feedback. We don?t take decisions on moderating posts lightly. But we do expect that participants post content and commentary that is both relevant and respectful to this community as a whole. Football NSW reserves the right to remove any posts that don?t adhere to our guidelines and to block anyone who violates them repeatedly. Specifically, we do not tolerate these kinds of posts:
?    Abusive, harassing, stalking, threatening or attacking others
?    Defamatory, offensive, obscene, vulgar or depicting violence
?    Hateful in language targeting race/ethnicity, religion, gender, nationality or political beliefs
?    Fraudulent, deceptive, misleading or unlawful
?    Trolling or deliberate disruption of discussion
?    Violations of any intellectual property rights
?    Spamming in nature
?    Uploading files that contain viruses or programs that could damage the operation of other people?s computers
?    Commercial solicitation or solicitation of donations
?    Link baiting (embedding a link in your post to draw traffic to your own site)
If you have a customer service issue, we recommend emailing info@footballnsw.com.au for the fastest path to resolution.

Eddie Moore
Football NSW CEO