DPC survey to examine sports clubs’ data protection awareness and understanding

This month, The Data Protection Commission (DPC) will issue a survey questionnaire to a representative sample of sports clubs across the spectrum of voluntary and professional sports in Ireland. The survey will assist the DPC in learning about the level of awareness and understanding of data protection in the sports sector.

The DPC recognises the important role of sport in Irish society at all levels; in particular, the value to children participating in sport. The aim of this engagement is to provide assistance and guidance to the sports sector in meeting their data protection compliance obligations. It is also to support people, who participate in sporting activities, to gain a better understanding of their rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The survey will focus on the use of technology to collect and analyse player performance data, whether the clubs are aware of their obligations in terms of data protection and if the players are informed of this processing.  The questionnaire will also address transparency and look for detailed information on how players are informed about the processing of their personal data, with a particular focus on children and young people.

The survey will be sent to voluntary and professional clubs in a number of different sports. This  includes clubs linked to the following: Football Association of Ireland (FAI), Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), and Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA).

The responses to the survey will allow us to gain an understanding of the needs of the sports sector in terms of guidance and to facilitate further stakeholder engagements.