Lakes Football Club Invitational Tournament
Rotorua | 26–27 September 2026
Welcome to the inaugural Lakes Football Club Invitational Tournament!
Over two exciting days, teams from across New Zealand will compete in a fast-paced tournament designed to provide plenty of football, great competition and an unforgettable Rotorua experience.
Every team is guaranteed 8 matches across the weekend, with every side playing through to a final placing.
Tournament Grades
Boys
Grade 9
Grade 10
Grade 11
Grade 12
Grade 13
Grade 14
Girls
U9
U11
U13
U15
Tournament Information
Venue Puarenga Park Rotorua, New Zealand
Dates Saturday 26 September 2026 Sunday 27 September 2026
Entry Fee $500 per team
Entries Limited to 8 teams per grade in the inaugural tournament. We may have room for more teams in lower grades. (We may consider more than 1 team per grade for bigger clubs, email admin@lakesfc.co.nz to enquire)
Tournament Format
Every team will play:
✅ Guaranteed 8 matches
Following pool play, every team progresses into either the Cup or Plate competition, ensuring every team plays for a final placing.
Match Format
15 minute halves
5 minute half time
5 minute changeover between matches
Matches controlled by central tournament hooter
All games start and finish on the hooter
Team Information
Maximum squad size: As per the below table.
Players may only represent one team during the tournament.
All results entered immediately after the game by the team manager.
Teams are responsible for ensuring all players are eligible for their grade. Standard dispensation rules apply. If any doubts email admin@lakesfc.co.nz
Playing Rules
The tournament will follow the current New Zealand Football Laws of the Game, with any tournament-specific modifications outlined in the Managers Handbook.
These include:
Rolling substitutions
Sin bins (at the referees discretion)
Match duration
Finals procedures
Protest process
Competition Points
Win: 3 points
Draw: 1 point
Loss: 0 points
If teams finish level on points, placings will be determined by:
Goal Difference
Goals Scored
Head-to-Head Result
Coin Toss (Tournament Committee decision)
Finals
Every team plays through to a final placing.
The top teams from pool play compete for the Cup, while remaining teams compete for the Plate.
Awards will be presented to:
Cup Champions
Cup Runner-up
Cup Third Place
Plate Champions
Plate Runner-up
Plate Third Place
Referees
Qualified referees will officiate all matches where possible from the oldest grades down.
Respect towards referees is expected from all players, coaches and spectators.
Fair Play
The Lakes Football Club Invitational Tournament is built around our club values.
We ask all participants to:
Respect referees
Respect opponents
Respect volunteers
Encourage positive sideline behaviour
Play hard, play fair
Poor behaviour may result in removal from the venue or disciplinary action.
Managers Meeting
A compulsory Managers Meeting will be held prior to the tournament.
Details will be emailed to all registered teams.
Food & Facilities
Food vendors available throughout the weekend
Coffee
Toilets
First Aid
Plenty of parking
Results
Live fixtures, ladders and results will be available throughout the weekend at www.lakesfc.com
Entries
Spaces are limited.
With only 8 teams per grade, we encourage clubs to register early to avoid disappointment.
Enter your team today!
Grade 9 Boys
5 v 5
7–9 players* (Recommended Squad Size)
U9 Girls
5 v 5
7–9 players*
Grade 10 Boys
7 v 7
10–12 players
Grade 11 Boys
7 v 7
10–12 players
U11 Girls
7 v 7
10–12 players
Grade 12 Boys
9 v 9
12–14 players
Grade 13 Boys
9 v 9
12–14 players
U13 Girls
9 v 9
12–14 players
Grade 14 Boys
11 v 11
15–16 players
U15 Girls
11 v 11
15–16 players
Tournament Policies:
Tournament Rules
Terms and Conditions
of Entry
Refund Policy
