Safeguarding & children’s-data policy

Amateur boxing involves many children and young people. Protecting them is built into how BoxerConnect works, not added on afterwards.

How we protect under-18s

• Names are hidden. An under-18 boxer's name and any free-text notes are never shown to other clubs. Other clubs see only a reference code (for example GB0000123) plus age, weight and record - enough to judge a fair match, not enough to identify the child.
• No under-18 boxer profile photos. Boxer profile photos are an adult-only feature. The restriction is enforced at upload, photo delivery and share-card rendering. Synthetic or non-identifying event artwork is handled separately.
• Members only. The boxer directory is closed to the public. Only approved, signed-in member clubs can search it.
• No direct contact with boxers. All messaging is club to club. There is no way for anyone to message a boxer directly, and we never publish a junior's exact date of birth, address, school or personal contact details.
• Names are shared by the club, on contact. When another club wants to arrange a match, the home club shares the child's details directly, on its own terms.
• Consent is required. A club cannot list an under-18 without confirming it holds parental or guardian consent.
• Data minimisation. We collect only what is needed for matchmaking and keep it no longer than necessary.

Parental / guardian consent

When a club lists an under-18, it ticks a box confirming the following statement:

Clubs are responsible for obtaining and retaining that consent in line with their governing body's requirements, and for keeping each boxer's record accurate.

Under-18 boxer profile photos

BoxerConnect does not accept or publish a boxer's profile photo while they are under 18. Parental or guardian consent to list a junior does not override this restriction. Once a boxer turns 18, their club can choose to add a photo as a separate step and must confirm it has permission to use that image.

Club responsibilities

• Hold parental/guardian consent before listing any under-18, and remove the record if consent is withdrawn.
• Have a designated welfare officer and follow your governing body's safeguarding rules. We recommend recording your Club Welfare Officer in your club profile so other member clubs and our team can reach them about a junior bout.
• Keep boxer information, including fitness and medical status, accurate.
• Use other clubs' information only to arrange genuine, properly sanctioned bouts.

Reporting a concern

If you have a safeguarding concern about anything on BoxerConnect, tell us straight away. Signed-in clubs can use the Report a concern link on any club's page, or anyone can use the contact page (choose "Safeguarding concern"). Reports reach our team quickly. Urgent risk to a child should always be reported to the police and your governing body first.

What we do about it

We review reports promptly and can act the same day. Where there is a safeguarding or illegal-content concern we may remove content and suspend or permanently remove a club immediately, and we will preserve information and report to the police or other authorities where the law requires it. See our Acceptable Use Policy for what is not allowed.

See also our Privacy Policy, Acceptable Use and Terms.