Terms & Conditions

1. About SportGems

SportGems is an online platform designed to connect football players, parents and guardians with scouts, clubs and other verified football professionals.

The platform may provide features including:

• player profiles;
• player statistics;
• photographs and videos;
• scout search tools;
• club discovery;
• expressions of interest;
• communication tools;
• opportunities;
• player-aftercare resources;
• training and development resources;
• community features;
• other football-related services introduced from time to time.

SportGems does not guarantee that use of the platform will result in a trial, selection, academy place, contract, transfer or professional football career.

2. Who May Use SportGems

SportGems may be used by:

• players;
• parents and legal guardians;
• scouts;
• clubs;
• football organisations;
• football agents;
• coaches;
• other approved football professionals.

Users must provide accurate information during registration.

SportGems may impose different registration or verification requirements depending on the type of account.

3. Players Under 18

SportGems is intended to support young footballers, including minors.

Where a player is under 18, SportGems may require a parent or legal guardian to participate in registration, approve the player's profile, manage account settings or oversee communications.

A person must not create a profile for a child without the appropriate authority to do so.

SportGems may request evidence of parental or guardian authority where reasonably necessary.

SportGems may restrict features available to users under 18 in order to support safeguarding.

4. Accounts

You are responsible for keeping your account information accurate and secure.

You must not:

• share your password;
• allow another person to use your account;
• create an account using another person's identity;
• impersonate another person or organisation;
• provide misleading professional credentials;
• create multiple accounts for deceptive purposes.

You must notify SportGems if you believe that your account has been compromised.

5. Verification

Certain users, including scouts, clubs and football professionals, may be required to complete verification.

SportGems may request information or documentation reasonably required to establish identity, role, affiliation, professional status or suitability.

Verification may include checks of:

• identity;
• club or organisation affiliation;
• professional registration;
• business information;
• relevant football credentials;
• safeguarding information;
• other information considered appropriate.

SportGems may refuse or withdraw verification at any time where there is a reasonable basis for doing so.

Verification does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation or guarantee of the person or organisation concerned.

6. Scouts

Scouts must only use SportGems for legitimate football scouting and recruitment purposes.

Scouts must provide accurate information regarding:

• their identity;
• their role;
• their club or organisation;
• their professional status.

Scouts must not make false or misleading representations regarding a player's prospects.

A scout must not use SportGems to obtain personal information from a player for an unrelated purpose.

Scouts must comply with SportGems' Platform, Safeguarding & Player Welfare Policy.

7. Clubs

Clubs must provide accurate organisational and representative information.

A person must not claim to represent a club unless they have authority to do so.

Clubs remain responsible for their own recruitment, safeguarding, welfare and player-care procedures.

SportGems does not replace the club's own safeguarding or recruitment obligations.

8. Football Agents

SportGems does not itself act as a football agent.

Users who provide football-agent services are responsible for obtaining and maintaining all licences, registrations and authorisations required by applicable law and football regulations.

This includes requirements applicable to working with minors.

A user must not describe themselves as a football agent, representative or authorised intermediary unless they are legally entitled to do so.

SportGems may request evidence of relevant authorisation.

SportGems may suspend or restrict accounts where it reasonably believes a user is conducting regulated activity without appropriate authorisation.

9. Expressions of Interest

SportGems may allow scouts or clubs to express interest in a player.

An expression of interest:

• is not an offer of employment;
• is not an offer of a contract;
• does not guarantee a trial;
• does not guarantee selection;
• does not guarantee representation;
• does not guarantee a transfer;
• does not create an obligation for a player or club to proceed.

Parents and players should independently assess any opportunity before accepting it.

10. Communication

SportGems may provide communication tools designed to facilitate appropriate contact between users.

Users must use these tools responsibly.

Users must not attempt to circumvent communication or safeguarding controls.

In particular, users must not attempt to obtain or use a child's private contact details for the purpose of bypassing SportGems' safeguards.

Where a player is under 18, communications should involve or be appropriately visible to their parent or legal guardian where required by SportGems.

SportGems may monitor, restrict or suspend communications where necessary for safety, compliance, investigation or platform integrity, subject to applicable law.

11. User Content

Users may be able to upload or submit:

• photographs;
• videos;
• player statistics;
• biographies;
• football achievements;
• scouting information;
• comments;
• messages;
• other content.

You remain responsible for content you upload.

You confirm that you have the necessary rights and permissions to upload that content.

You must not upload content that:

• infringes copyright;
• infringes another person's privacy;
• is defamatory;
• is fraudulent;
• is discriminatory;
• is abusive;
• is threatening;
• is sexually explicit;
• sexualises children;
• contains malicious software;
• promotes illegal activity;
• misrepresents a person or organisation.

12. Licence to SportGems

By uploading content to SportGems, you grant SportGems a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to host, store, reproduce, display and distribute that content only as reasonably necessary to operate, promote and improve the SportGems service.

This licence does not transfer ownership of your content to SportGems.

You retain ownership of your original content, subject to any third-party rights.

Where content relates to a child, SportGems will apply appropriate safeguards and use the information in accordance with its Privacy Notice and applicable data protection requirements.

13. Player Profiles

Information displayed within a player profile must be accurate and not misleading.

SportGems may amend, restrict or remove information where:

• it appears inaccurate;
• it breaches these Terms;
• it creates a safeguarding concern;
• it infringes another person's rights;
• the relevant parent, guardian or authorised account holder requests removal;
• removal is required by law.

SportGems does not independently guarantee the accuracy of all information supplied by users.

14. Community and User Interaction

Where SportGems provides community forums, comments, livestreams or similar features, users must behave respectfully.

Users must not:

• bully;
• harass;
• threaten;
• discriminate;
• impersonate;
• deliberately mislead;
• sexually harass;
• groom;
• encourage dangerous behaviour;
• publish another person's private information;
• attempt to exploit children.

SportGems may moderate, remove or restrict content and accounts where appropriate.

15. Reporting Content or Users

If you believe that content or conduct breaches these Terms or creates a safeguarding concern, you should report it to SportGems.

Reports can be made to:

• Safeguarding: info@sportgems.co.uk
• Support: info@sportgems.co.uk

SportGems may investigate reports and take action including:

• removing content;
• restricting communication;
• suspending an account;
• permanently terminating an account;
• requesting additional verification;
• referring matters to relevant authorities.

16. Subscriptions and Paid Services

Certain SportGems services may require payment.

The applicable price, billing frequency and features will be displayed before you purchase.

Unless otherwise stated:

• subscriptions renew according to the billing period selected;
• applicable charges will be taken using the payment method provided;
• prices may change in the future, subject to applicable law and appropriate notice;
• cancellation will normally prevent future renewal but does not automatically create a right to a refund for a period already paid for, except where required by law or otherwise stated.

SportGems will not charge additional amounts that were not clearly disclosed and agreed where consumer law requires specific consent.

17. Free Trials and Promotional Offers

Where SportGems provides a free trial, promotional offer or discounted subscription, the applicable terms will be clearly stated when the offer is presented.

A promotional offer may have:

• eligibility requirements;
• a specified duration;
• a limited number of uses;
• an expiry date;
• specific cancellation requirements.

Unless otherwise stated, promotional offers cannot be combined.

SportGems reserves the right to withdraw or amend a promotion where permitted by law.

18. Cancellation

Consumers may have statutory cancellation rights when entering into distance contracts.

Where applicable, the statutory cancellation period for services is generally 14 days, subject to the legal exceptions that apply to particular services or digital content.

If you request that a service begins during the cancellation period, or if digital content is supplied during that period following the required consent and acknowledgement, your cancellation rights may be affected as permitted by law.

Nothing in these Terms removes or restricts statutory consumer rights.

19. Refunds

Where a refund is legally required, SportGems will provide the applicable refund in accordance with the law.

Where a discretionary refund is offered, the applicable conditions will be communicated at the time.

If you believe you have been charged incorrectly, please contact SportGems promptly with details of the transaction.

20. Suspension and Termination

SportGems may suspend or terminate an account where it reasonably believes that a user:

• has breached these Terms;
• has breached the Safeguarding Policy;
• has provided false information;
• has misrepresented their identity;
• presents a safeguarding risk;
• has engaged in fraudulent activity;
• has abused another user;
• has attempted to circumvent platform controls;
• has used the platform unlawfully;
• has failed to pay applicable fees.

Where appropriate, SportGems may suspend an account while an investigation is taking place.

Where immediate action is necessary to protect a child or another person, SportGems may restrict access without prior notice.

21. No Guarantee of Football Opportunities

SportGems is a discovery and connection platform.

We do not guarantee:

• that a player will be discovered;
• that a scout will express interest;
• that a club will respond;
• that a player will receive a trial;
• that a trial will be successful;
• that a player will be selected;
• that a player will obtain an academy place;
• that a player will obtain a professional contract;
• that a player's football career will progress in a particular way.

SportGems does not make decisions on behalf of clubs.

22. Third-Party Organisations

SportGems may provide information about or facilitate interaction with third-party clubs, scouts, agents, coaches, organisations or opportunities.

SportGems does not necessarily employ, control or represent those third parties.

Users should carry out their own checks before entering into an arrangement with a third party.

SportGems is not responsible for the independent acts, omissions, representations or contractual obligations of third parties.

23. Third-Party Links

The platform may contain links to websites or services operated by third parties.

SportGems does not control those websites and is not responsible for their content, security, privacy practices or availability.

Users should review the terms and privacy policies of third-party services before using them.

24. Intellectual Property

The SportGems name, branding, logos, website design, platform software, graphics, text and other materials created by or for SportGems are protected by applicable intellectual property rights.

You may not copy, reproduce, modify, distribute, sell or commercially exploit SportGems materials without appropriate permission.

Nothing in these Terms transfers ownership of SportGems intellectual property to you.

25. Prohibited Commercial Use

Unless expressly authorised, users must not:

• scrape SportGems;
• harvest player information;
• build databases from SportGems data;
• resell player information;
• commercially redistribute platform content;
• use automated systems to access the platform;
• interfere with platform operation;
• attempt to access restricted areas;
• reverse engineer the platform except where legally permitted.

26. Platform Availability

SportGems will use reasonable efforts to keep the platform available.

However, we do not guarantee that the platform will:

• always be available;
• be uninterrupted;
• be error-free;
• be compatible with every device;
• remain unchanged;
• always contain particular features.

SportGems may temporarily suspend services for maintenance, security, development or other legitimate operational reasons.

27. Security

SportGems will take reasonable measures to protect its platform and user information.

However, no online service can guarantee absolute security.

Users must take reasonable steps to protect their own accounts, passwords and devices.

28. Privacy and Data Protection

SportGems processes personal information in accordance with applicable data protection law and its Privacy Notice.

Our Privacy Notice explains:

• what information we collect;
• why we collect it;
• how we use it;
• when we share it;
• how long we retain it;
• users' rights;
• how users can contact us about their information.

Where children use or are likely to access the service, SportGems will apply appropriate safeguards to children's personal information.

29. Safeguarding

Our Platform, Safeguarding & Player Welfare Policy forms an important part of the SportGems platform rules.

Users must comply with that Policy when using SportGems.

Where there is any conflict between these Terms and an applicable safeguarding requirement, SportGems may take the action reasonably necessary to protect a child or another person, subject to applicable law.

30. Our Liability

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability where doing so would be unlawful.

This includes liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or statutory rights that cannot lawfully be restricted.

Subject to the above, SportGems will not be responsible for losses that:

• were not reasonably foreseeable;
• arise from a user's failure to follow these Terms;
• result from information supplied incorrectly by another user;
• result from the independent actions of a third party;
• arise from the use of opportunities offered by third parties.

Nothing in these Terms affects any mandatory consumer rights.

31. Children's Safety

Where SportGems becomes aware of conduct that may place a child at risk, we may take immediate protective action.

This may include:

• restricting an account;
• removing content;
• restricting communications;
• preserving relevant information;
• contacting a parent or guardian;
• contacting a club;
• contacting a safeguarding body;
• contacting law enforcement.

SportGems will make decisions proportionately and in accordance with applicable law.

32. Changes to the Platform

SportGems may introduce, modify or remove features from the platform.

Where a material change affects an existing paid service or contractual right, SportGems will provide any notice required by law.

Continued use of the platform after changes take effect may constitute acceptance of updated Terms where legally appropriate.

33. Changes to These Terms

SportGems may update these Terms from time to time.

The latest version will be published on the website.

Where changes are material, SportGems will take reasonable steps to notify affected users.

34. Complaints

If you have a complaint about SportGems, please contact:

Email: info@sportgems.co.uk

Address: Sport Gems

We will aim to acknowledge complaints within a reasonable period and investigate them fairly.

Safeguarding concerns should be reported through the safeguarding process rather than waiting for the ordinary complaints process.

35. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

The courts of England and Wales will have jurisdiction, subject to any mandatory rights a consumer may have to bring proceedings elsewhere.

36. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unlawful, invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be modified or removed to the minimum extent necessary.

The remaining provisions will continue to apply.

37. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the SportGems Privacy Notice, Cookie Policy and Platform, Safeguarding & Player Welfare Policy, form the principal rules governing use of the SportGems platform.

Additional terms may apply to specific services, subscriptions, promotions or features.

38. Contact SportGems

For general enquiries:

• Website: sportgems.co.uk
• Email: info@sportgems.co.uk
• Safeguarding: info@sportgems.co.uk
• Registered address: 000 0000 0000
• Company number: 0000 0000 0000

Final Statement

SportGems exists to help footballers discover what comes next while creating a more transparent and responsible environment for everyone involved.

By using SportGems, you agree to use the platform responsibly, honestly and with appropriate respect for the welfare, privacy and dignity of young players.

SportGems, Your journey isn't over. It's just begun.