Safeguarding & children's-data policy

Last updated: 21 June 2026

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.
• Photos are consent-gated. An adult boxer's photo is added only when the club confirms it has permission to use it. An under-18's photo can be added only if the club confirms a parent or guardian has given permission to publish it - and that boxer's card then shows only a first name and last initial, with no location, while they stay hidden in search. No photo is ever shown without that consent, and removing a photo withdraws it.
• 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.

Publishing an under-18's photo

Adding a photo to a boxer's shareable card is a separate, explicit step. For an under-18, the club must confirm that a parent or legal guardian has given permission to publish that specific photo (which may appear on social media), name the parent or guardian who gave it, and accept that it can be removed on request. The card then shows only a first name and last initial, with no location, and the boxer stays hidden in search. Clubs must hold consent that meets their governing body's requirements - for England Boxing clubs, England Boxing's parental photography-consent process - and remain responsible for it.

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.