Data Protection Policy

Reading Hockey Club is committed to protecting your personal data and using it responsibly. We want to keep you updated with everything that is going on at the club, support club development and provide you with core membership services whilst ensuring you remain in control of your personal data and your privacy is respected.   We aim to comply with data protection legislation and direct marketing good practice as far as our resources permit.

There are three main ways we use personal data:

1. For managing you membership.  You cannot opt out of this if you are to be a member.  By joining or renewing a membership you agree to this use of your data.

2. To keep members, friends, fans and partners updated with club news and events.  This is an optional service and you must opt-in to indicate you are happy to receive these communications and can opt-out at any time.

3. To share with sponsors and partners as part of their support of their club.  This is optional and you must opt-in for us ever to supply your data to a third party for any reason that isn’t connected to core membership services like league registration.  You can also opt out at any time.

If you have any concerns about this policy or our communication practices please e-mail admin@readinghockeyclub.org.uk and a member of our communications team will be happy to help you.

Managing Your Membership Data

We collect certain personal data from you on our membership form when you join Reading Hockey Club or renew your membership.  Much of this is a Club First requirement and is necessary for us to be a safe and responsible sports club and to protect our members.

We collect your personal data in case of emergency, in order to perform the administrative functions of the club and to register you as a player with the necessary governing bodies and leagues.  We will also use your details to contact you to notify you of  major club events, functions and for communicating important club news we think all members need to know.

Some information is mandatory such as your contact details and medical information and parental consent for junior players.  Some sections are optional such as your employment, skills, coaching and umpiring qualifications but if provided will help us use our members skills effectively to develop the club.

By signing up as a member you agree to us using all the personal information you supply on your membership form for these purposes.  Without being able to collect and use this data we will be unable to provide you with membership services or run the club’s administration smoothly.

We will store your data securely in our club database and on FixturesLive for league registration purposes.   Our club database is an online CRM service and your details may be be held or transferred via countries other than the UK.  Regardless we will ensure that our use of these service complies with the stringent UK laws and guidelines.

Your data is managed by the RHC Communications Team under the leadership of the Communications Secretary.  The communications secretary is currently Chris Davey.  All members of the communications team are CRB checked.  They provide other club officials such as committee members and captains with reports from the database on request as needed to provide your membership services.

You can request your details at any time and we will ask you to update your details at the start of each new season.

We will only pass details to third parties, such as leagues, for any purpose necessary to provide you with membership services.  For example you cannot play hockey in certain leagues without us supplying your name and data of birth.  Will will not pass on any more information than is necessary to do this.

We do not share core membership data with any other third party or use it for non-essential communications.  You may opt-in to give permission for us to use your information in this way if you choose.  There are benefits to you personally in doing this and benefits for the club.  Please read on below for these optional uses of your data.

If you wish to receive enhanced communications you can opt to subscribe to our newsletter.  This electronic newsletter will contain all the club news that we consider non-essential to your basic membership but it will contain lots of important and information about club events, club happenings, fundraising and development.  We may also occasionally send you a postal mailing.

We may also send messages from our carefully selected communications from sponsors and partners as their support is essential to the club’s success.  These third parties will not have access to your details put will provide us with information about their products and services you may be interested in that we will send to you via Club News

We don’t want you to miss out and this is an easy way to stay updated and support the club so we would encourage you to join this service.

This free service is available to members, fans, friends and anyone associated with Reading Hockey Club who may want to stay in touch.

You must opt-in for your details to be added to our club news distribution list.  You can also opt out at any time.

You can opt-in by:
1. If a member you can indicate you wish to receive Club News on your membership form.  Just check the box at the end of the contact details section that says I would like to subscribe to Club News.
2. Entering your name and email address into our Club News Sign Up box on our website.
3. Contacting us at admin@readinghockeyclub.org.uk

You can opt-out by:
1. Clicking the unsubscribe link on any email you receive.
2. Contacting us at admin@readinghockeyclub.org.uk

We are currently looking to develop the club to provide better facilities for members and support all our teams in realising their hockey potential.  To do this requires the club to continue to raise funds for capital development whilst keeping costs down for members so they can enjoy their hobby.  To do this the club is looking to partner with carefully selected sponsors and companies.  You can support the club by allowing us to share our contact database with these companies who may then contact you regarding products and services you may be interested in.

You must opt-in and give us permission to release your details in this way.  We will never release your details to any third party for marketing purposes without your explicit permission.

You can opt-in by:
1. Indicating you give permission for your contact details to be shared on your membership form.  Just check the box in the marketing section that says I give permission for the club to share my contact and marketing details with carefully selected sponsors, parties and other third parties.
2. Contacting us at admin@readinghockeyclub.org.uk

You can opt-out by:
1. Clicking the unsubscribe link on any email you receive.
2. Contacting us at admin@readinghockeyclub.org.uk