The Data Protection Commission (DPC) is to send a survey questionnaire to a representative sample of voluntary and professional sports clubs across Ireland this month.

The DPC says that the survey will help it to learn about the level of awareness and understanding of data protection in the sports sector.

The data watchdog says that it recognises the important role of sport in Irish society at all levels – particularly the value to children participating in sport.

GDPR rights

“The aim of this engagement is to provide assistance and guidance to the sports sector in meeting their data-protection compliance obligations,” the DPC said.

“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),” it added.

The survey will focus on the use of technology to collect and analyse player-performance data, and whether the clubs are aware of their obligations in terms of data-protection, and if the players are informed of this processing.

Guidance

The questionnaire will also look for details about 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 clubs linked to the GAA, the FAI, the IRFU, and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA).

The commission says that the responses will give it an understanding of the needs of the sports sector in terms of guidance.