Lakes Football Club Invitational Tournament 2026

Tournament Terms and Conditions

Puarenga Park, Rotorua
26–27 September 2026

By submitting a tournament entry, participating clubs, team officials, players, parents/caregivers and spectators acknowledge that they have read, understood and agree to these Tournament Policies, Tournament Rules and Refund & Withdrawal Policy.

1. Acceptance of Entry

Tournament entries are only confirmed once:

• A completed entry has been received.

• Payment has been made in full (or alternative arrangements approved by Lakes Football Club).

• Confirmation of acceptance has been issued by Tournament Management.

Tournament Management reserves the right to accept or decline any entry.

2. Tournament Management

Tournament Management reserves the right to:

• amend the tournament format;

• alter fixtures or kick-off times;

• combine or divide grades where necessary;

• amend these Tournament Policies where reasonably required for the successful operation of the tournament; and

• make decisions necessary to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the event.

All decisions made by Tournament Management are final.

3. Force Majeure

The Lakes Football Club Invitational Tournament is an all-weather event and every reasonable effort will be made to complete the tournament as scheduled.

If the tournament is cancelled, postponed, interrupted or unable to proceed due to circumstances beyond the reasonable control of Lakes Football Club, including but not limited to severe weather, flooding, earthquakes, fire, pandemics, government restrictions, venue closures, utility failures or any other force majeure event, Lakes Football Club will not be liable for any costs, losses or expenses incurred by participating clubs, teams or individuals.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• travel costs;

• accommodation costs;

• meals;

• vehicle hire;

• loss of income;

• additional bookings or expenses.

Tournament Management reserves the right to:

• reschedule the tournament;

• transfer entries to a future tournament;

• retain part or all entry fees to recover costs already incurred; or

• provide a partial refund after deducting unavoidable costs associated with organising the tournament.

Any decision regarding refunds or credits under these circumstances will be made by Tournament Management and will be final.

4. Severe Weather During Play

Tournament Management reserves the right to delay, suspend, abandon or shorten any match where weather or other conditions are considered unsafe for players, officials or spectators.

Where practical, affected matches will be rescheduled. If this is not possible, Tournament Management will determine the appropriate result or competition outcome. All decisions are final.

5. Photography & Video

Photography and videography will take place throughout the tournament.

By entering the tournament, participating clubs acknowledge that photographs and video footage may include players, coaches, team officials and spectators.

Lakes Football Club may use this material for:

• social media;

• website content;

• promotional material;

• tournament publications;

• media releases;

• future tournament promotion.

No compensation will be payable for the use of this material.

Any concerns regarding photography should be raised with Tournament Management prior to the commencement of the tournament.

6. Live Results & Media

Tournament fixtures, results, ladders, photographs and video highlights may be published throughout the tournament on Lakes Football Club's website and social media platforms.

7. Health & Safety

All participants are expected to comply with instructions issued by Tournament Officials.

Clubs remain responsible for the supervision, behaviour and welfare of their players throughout the tournament.

Any hazards, accidents or incidents should be reported to Tournament Control as soon as practicable.

8. Medical Treatment

Players participate at their own risk.

Where immediate medical treatment is required and a parent or guardian cannot be contacted, Tournament Management may arrange appropriate first aid or emergency medical treatment.

Any costs associated with medical treatment remain the responsibility of the participant or their parent/caregiver.

9. Personal Property

Lakes Football Club accepts no responsibility for the loss of or damage to personal property, valuables or equipment brought to the tournament.

Teams are responsible for the security of their own belongings.

10. Behaviour

Players, coaches, managers, team officials and spectators are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and sportsmanlike manner at all times.

Tournament Management reserves the right to remove any individual from the venue or exclude a team from the tournament where behaviour is considered abusive, threatening, unsafe or brings the tournament into disrepute.

11. Directions of Tournament Officials

All participants, team officials and spectators must comply with the reasonable directions of Tournament Officials, referees, venue staff and emergency services personnel at all times.

Failure to comply with these directions may result in removal from the venue and/or further disciplinary action by Tournament Management.

12. Alcohol, Smoking & Vaping

Alcohol may only be consumed where approved by Tournament Management and where permitted under the venue's licence and Rotorua Lakes Council regulations.

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

13. Dogs

Dogs are not permitted within the tournament venue, except for registered assistance dogs.

14. Privacy

Information collected during tournament registration will be used solely for the administration and operation of the tournament.

Personal information will be managed in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 and will not be disclosed except where required for tournament administration or by law.

15. Governing Rules

The tournament will be conducted in accordance with:

• IFAB Laws of the Game;

• New Zealand Football Whole of Football 2.0;

• Lakes Football Club Invitational Tournament Rules;

• these Tournament Policies; and

• the Refund & Withdrawal Policy.

Where any inconsistency exists, the Lakes Football Club Invitational Tournament Rules and Tournament Policies will take precedence for the administration of the tournament.

16. Acceptance

Submission of a tournament entry constitutes acceptance of these Tournament Policies, the Tournament Rules and the Refund & Withdrawal Policy by the participating club, team officials, players, parents/caregivers and spectators accompanying the team.