Rules of Competition

The tournament follows the standard NRF league format, in line with regional playing rules. All rules as noted under the FIFA Laws of the Game.

Tournament Management reserves the right to modify the playing conditions above to facilitate a suitable competition for a particular age group.

Final placing of teams after pool games is decided by applying the following criteria in order:

1. Team with the most points
2. Best Goal Difference
3. Most Goals For
4. Least Goals Against
5. Team with the most wins

If all of the above is equal, then the following will occur:

1. The result of the game between the two equal teams
2. If the teams still cannot be separated, a penalty shoot-out in accordance with FIFA regulations will be used to decide the placings

In the event of the Play-Offs and/or Grand Final being drawn at full time, a penalty shoot-out will be conducted in accordance with FIFA regulations.

All players must be registered via the Cup Manager online system, accessible under the Team Login menu on the Cambridge Cup website.

Registrations must be completed by the player's parent or guardian — not by the team manager. Team Managers are responsible for ensuring every player has registered.

All team sheets must be completed online before your first game. Please ensure all players carry proof of identification that includes a photo and date of birth.

Each player is required to have a number on their playing shirt that matches the team sheet.

If asked to provide proof of a player's age, acceptable documentation includes: NZ ID card, school ID, passport, birth certificate or other suitable photo ID.

If the opposing team requests proof of age for one of your players and you cannot produce reasonable documentation, that player will not be allowed to participate in that game. The required proof will be at the discretion of Tournament Management.

Only players listed on the team sheet will be allowed to play, and each squad may only have the maximum number of players on the bench as specified in the competition format table.

Any player who provides written authorisation from their local federation may be offered dispensation to play in a younger age group. Should the local federation not be able to provide written confirmation, a letter from the club president may be considered. To keep thins fair and consistent, a maximum of 2 players per team will be approved.

For full details on eligible exception categories (including the Relative Age Effect rule and the Female Player Allowance) and the application process, see the Overage Player Dispensation Policy.

To be eligible to participate in the tournament, players must:

• Comply with the age eligibility requirements per Section 3.2
• Be registered on an allocated team sheet for a participating team
• Ensure that the team has arranged full payment

Squads with incomplete complements are still required to participate in their scheduled matches. The opposition team does not have to reduce their numbers accordingly, however they may choose to do so.

Players from younger age groups may play up an age group to address this. Players from another team participating in the same age group cannot be used.

Each player is required to have a numbered playing shirt that matches the team sheet.

Should uniform colours clash, it is the responsibility of the away team to wear an alternate colour. All first-named teams in the fixture will be deemed the "Home" team and will play in their colours. If a clash persists, bibs must be worn by the away team. Teams may use their own bibs or obtain tournament bibs from the ground marshal.

Goalkeepers may wear any colour, provided it does not clash with either team's outfield players.

Match balls will be provided. Only official match balls may be used and must be approved by the referee at the commencement of each match.

• Size 3 balls — U8
• Size 4 balls — U9, U10, U11, U12
• Size 5 balls — U13, U14, U15, U17

Qualified referees will be provided and appointed for all matches. All decisions of the match referee are final and binding as far as the result is concerned, and no protest can be lodged.

Under no circumstances are supporters permitted to approach, question or criticise referees during the tournament.

Any misconduct towards referees will not be tolerated and may result in teams losing points or being disqualified from the tournament. Any serious incidents will also be reported to NZF for further action.

Qualified referees may be appointed as Assistant Referees in final matches where available. During the group stages, assistant referees will not be provided — teams will be required to allocate an AR for 11v11 games only.

Tournament Officials wearing branded apparel will be located on all fields for easy identification. They are available to relay information or provide clarification to coaches, parents or referees. Any higher-level issues can be directed to the Information Desk.

We ask all players, coaches, supporters and parents to respect and work with event officials to ensure the best possible experience for everyone involved. Players, officials and supporters found displaying aggressive or abusive behaviour towards Tournament Officials may be subject to disciplinary action.

All fields will have clearly designated technical areas, identifiable by permanent or temporary fencing, ropes and signage.

Only coaches, team managers and team officials are permitted to enter the Technical Areas during their respective game. Entry is only permitted via clearly designated gates.

Immediately at the conclusion of each game, a Tournament Official will obtain the official score from the referee. The coach or team manager from each team must sign off the game card before the score is submitted.

Coaches must not leave the field without signing the game card to make the score official.

If a team is not on their allocated pitch and ready to start within five minutes of their scheduled kick-off time, they will forfeit the game. A 3–0 loss will be listed as the official result for that fixture.

Generally, injury time will not apply. However the referee and tournament officials reserve the right to add stoppage time at their discretion.

Interchanges may only take place during a stoppage in play and with the referee's permission. Each team may make an unlimited number of interchanges per fixture, provided they do not exceed the maximum number of players permitted on the bench.

Teams will be placed in groups and will play a round robin format to accumulate points. Please refer to the fixtures for further information on group stage progression.

Please refer to the fixtures for full information on the progression from the group phase to the knock-out stages. Format to be confirmed once all groups are finalised.

In extreme weather conditions, Tournament Management or the appointed match official reserves the right to shorten, postpone, delay or abandon any fixture that in their opinion compromises player safety.

In extreme heat conditions, Tournament Management or the appointed match official reserves the right to include drink breaks at any time during a fixture. Matches may be shortened, postponed or cancelled as a last resort.

Red and yellow cards may be issued during a match at the discretion of the referee to players and team officials.

• A red card carries an automatic 1-match suspension for the subsequent game
• If a match official is assaulted or extreme violent or abusive behaviour is demonstrated, the player, official or coach may be suspended from the tournament
• If a whole team demonstrates repeated abusive behaviour, they will be expelled from the competition and may be banned from future tournaments run by SGM
• If a player receives two yellow cards in different games, they will serve an automatic 1-match suspension for the subsequent game. The card count is reset after the group stages

The Cambridge Cup takes crowd behaviour seriously. Inappropriate behaviour from spectators will not be tolerated. Each team is required to supply a Team Marshall who will be responsible for liaising with their team's supporters to ensure the opposition, referees, tournament staff and other spectators are respected. Team Marshalls must remain outside the technical areas, near their team supporters.

Teams and clubs will be held responsible for their supporters' behaviour. Matches may be forfeited, and teams may be deducted points or disqualified from the tournament at the referee's and/or tournament officials' discretion.

In the event a player suffers an injury resulting in loss of blood, the match official will request that the injured player receive attention outside the field of play. The player will only be permitted to re-join the game once the match official is satisfied the injury has been safely covered and contained.

If the player's uniform contains blood, the referee will instruct the player to change their attire before re-joining. The match official will use discretion in allowing an alternative numbered shirt if a shirt of the same number is unavailable.

In accordance with FIFA Laws of the Game, players are forbidden to wear jewellery of any kind. Players wearing jewellery will be required to leave the pitch until the jewellery is removed and the Match Official has granted permission to re-enter the playing area.

First Aid staff will be on hand for the duration of the tournament. Taping and strapping will not form part of the First Aid Staff's duties. If your team requires first aid assistance, please approach the nearest Tournament Official.

The consumption of alcohol is not permitted at the venue. Anyone found consuming alcohol will be instructed to leave.

Smoking is not permitted around the pitches and must be kept to a designated area. Where no designated area exists, smoking must take place at least 20 metres from any pitch when a game is in play and away from other tournament attendees.