Lakes Football Club

Invitational Tournament Rules

Puarenga Park, Rotorua
26–27 September 2026

1. General Information

The Lakes Football Club Invitational Tournament is conducted under the current New Zealand Football Whole of Football 2.0 framework and the IFAB Laws of the Game, except where modified by these Tournament Rules.

Tournament Management reserves the right to amend these rules where necessary to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the tournament.

All decisions made by Tournament Management are final.

2. Tournament Format

• Every team is guaranteed eight (8) matches across the two-day tournament.

• Every team will compete through to a final placing.

• Following pool play, teams will progress into either the Cup or Plate competition.

• Competition points:
  
  

  • Win – 3 points

  • Draw – 1 point

  • Loss – 0 points

If teams finish level on competition points, placings will be determined by:

1. Goal Difference

2. Goals Scored

3. Head-to-Head Result

4. Goals Conceded

5. Coin Toss (Tournament Management)

3. Match Duration

All matches consist of:

• Two 15-minute halves

• Five-minute half time

• Five-minute changeover between scheduled matches

Matches will commence and conclude on the official tournament hooter.

There will be no allowance for injury time.

4. Playing Formats

The Lakes Football Club Invitational Tournament caters for boys' and girls' teams across a range of age groups, with playing formats aligned to the current New Zealand Football Whole of Football 2.0 framework.

Grade 9 Boys & U9 Girls

• Playing format: 5 v 5 (including goalkeeper)

• Suggested squad size: 7–9 players

• Ball size: 4

Grade 10 Boys, Grade 11 Boys & U11 Girls

• Playing format: 7 v 7 (including goalkeeper)

• Suggested squad size: 10–12 players

• Ball size: 4

Grade 12 Boys, Grade 13 Boys & U13 Girls

• Playing format: 9 v 9 (including goalkeeper)

• Suggested squad size: 12–14 players

• Ball size: Grade 12 Boys & U13 Girls – Size 4
  Grade 13 Boys – Size 5

Grade 14 Boys & U15 Girls

• Playing format: 11 v 11 (including goalkeeper)

• Suggested squad size: 15–16 players

• Ball size: Size 5

Suggested Squad Sizes

The suggested squad sizes are intended as a guide only and are designed to help teams manage the tournament schedule of eight guaranteed matches across the weekend.

Teams with smaller or larger squads may be accepted at the discretion of the Lakes Football Club Tournament Committee.

5. Competition Rules

• Rolling substitutions are permitted in all grades.

• Players may only represent one team during the tournament.

• Girls may play in Boys (Mixed) grades.

• Boys may not play in Girls grades.

• Referees may caution or send players from the field in accordance with the Laws of the Game.

6. Finals

Following pool play, teams will progress into Cup or Plate competitions.

Final placings will determine:

• Cup Champion

• Cup Runner-up

• Cup Third Place

• Plate Champion

• Plate Runner-up

• Plate Third Place

If any finals match is drawn at full time, the winner will be determined by a penalty shootout.

No extra time will be played.

7. Referees

Tournament referees will be appointed to all matches where possible.

If an appointed referee has not reported to the field at least three (3) minutes prior to the scheduled kick-off, each team will be asked to nominate a suitably qualified person to referee the match. Tournament Management may appoint an alternative referee where available.

All decisions made by the referee during a match are final.

Respect towards referees is expected at all times. Abuse of referees by players, coaches, team officials or spectators will not be tolerated and may result in disciplinary action or removal from the tournament venue.

8. Team Managers

Each Team Manager is responsible for:

• Checking fixtures and match schedules.

• Ensuring all players are eligible to participate.

• Ensuring their team is ready to play before the scheduled kick-off.

• Entering the final match result electronically using the tournament results system immediately following each match.

• Verifying the result entered by the opposing team where required.

• Reporting any discrepancies or issues immediately to Tournament Control.

Failure to submit results promptly may delay the publication of standings and subsequent fixtures.

9. Code of Conduct

Players, coaches, managers and spectators are expected to:

• Respect referees.

• Respect opponents.

• Respect volunteers.

• Respect Tournament Officials.

• Display positive sideline behaviour.

• Promote fair play and good sportsmanship.

Tournament Management reserves the right to remove any person from the venue for misconduct or behaviour that brings the tournament into disrepute.

10. Dogs

Dogs are not permitted at Puarenga Park during the tournament, with the exception of registered assistance dogs.

11. Alcohol, Smoking & Vaping

Alcohol is not permitted unless within an area approved by Tournament Management.

Smoking and vaping are only permitted in designated areas away from playing fields and spectators.

12. Protests

Any protest must be submitted in writing by the Team Manager to Tournament Control within 30 minutes of the completion of the match.

A protest fee of $100 may be required and will be refunded if the protest is upheld.

The decision of Tournament Management is final.

13. Tournament Management

Tournament Management reserves the right to:

• amend the tournament draw;

• alter match schedules;

• relocate matches to another field;

• combine grades where necessary;

• modify match durations should circumstances require; and

• make any decision considered necessary in the best interests of the tournament.

All decisions of Tournament Management are final.

14. Grade-Specific Playing Rules

Unless otherwise stated below, all matches will be played in accordance with the current New Zealand Football Whole of Football 2.0 framework.

Grade 9 Boys & U9 Girls

• Playing format: 5 v 5 (including goalkeeper)

• Ball size: Size 4

• Offside: No

• Retreat line: Yes

Grade 10 Boys, Grade 11 Boys & U11 Girls

• Playing format: 7 v 7 (including goalkeeper)

• Ball size: Size 4

• Offside: No

• Retreat line: Yes

Grade 12 Boys, Grade 13 Boys & U13 Girls

• Playing format: 9 v 9 (including goalkeeper)

Ball sizes:

• Grade 12 Boys – Size 4

• Grade 13 Boys – Size 5

• U13 Girls – Size 4

Offside: Yes

Retreat line: No

Grade 14 Boys & U15 Girls

• Playing format: 11 v 11 (including goalkeeper)

• Ball size: Size 5

• Offside: Yes

• Retreat line: No

Additional Playing Rules

• Rolling substitutions are permitted in all grades.

• Goal kicks, retreat lines, restart procedures and player development principles will be applied in accordance with the New Zealand Football Whole of Football 2.0 framework.

• Shin guards must be worn by all players.

• Players must not wear jewellery during matches unless permitted under the IFAB Laws of the Game.

• Teams are responsible for supplying an alternate playing strip or bibs where colours clash.

• The home team listed on the official draw will be required to change strips where a colour clash exists, unless otherwise directed by Tournament Management.

Any playing rule not specifically addressed within these Tournament Rules will be governed by the current New Zealand Football Whole of Football 2.0 framework and the IFAB Laws of the Game. Where a Tournament Rule differs from the Whole of Football framework, these Tournament Rules shall take precedence.