Wanderers Cup Tournament Rules

Proudly supported by West Canberra Wanderers FC

Tournament Overview

The Wanderers Cup Football Tournament is endorsed by Capital Football (CF). It includes divisions for both boys and girls in SAP ages. The tournament provides an ideal pre-season opportunity for quality competition and fine tuning of winter teams.

Registration

All participating teams need to provide:

  • A completed team registration form and team payment

  • Team entry fees: $500 Paid in full by each team as per the registration form.

  • Consent Forms. By entering the tournament, all coaches/managers and players agree to abide by the tournament rules. Coaches/Managers are responsible for ensuring teams comply with the Competition Rules. Failure to comply will result in teams being removed from the tournament.

  • Fees

  • The fee includes insurance cover for players registered for the 2026 CF winter competition

  • Interstate teams’ insurance cover is provided by their local registration organisation, so long as they are registered for the 2026 winter competition and have obtained clearance (sanction) from the appropriate governing body. This governing body is the relevant Football/ Soccer Club, Association, Branch or State Federation.

  • Mandatory insurance cover for other junior players is $25 per player and is to be paid with the team’s registration.

Dates and Divisions

Saturday 24 April 2027 Boys: U10, U11, U12, U13

Saturday 24 April 2027 Girls: U10, U11, U12, U13

  • Depending on the number of teams registered some grades may be combined for an even competition.

  • Each division will be divided into even pools where possible.

  • A daily schedule will be provided to teams as soon as the draw has been determined. Where possible, all teams should attend the Mawson playing field by 8am, with the concluding ceremony to begin at 5pm.

Draws

  • The draws for each division will be available two weeks from competition once all divisions have been confirmed and completed registrations received.

  • Timings:

    • First game on each day starts no earlier than 0800

    • Last game complete around 1500 (finals might be played after this time)

  • The finals will follow (the final draw will be available on the competition day from the registration table located near the canteen).

Finals

  • All age groups will have:

  • Winners and runners up awarded medals/trophies.

  • The top team in each pool may play-off in a grand-final

  • All other teams in each division may play-off for minor placings.

Tournament Rules

  • The tournament is played under the current official laws of the game as approved by FIFA and adopted and circulated by FFA.

  • Duration. Halves will be 20 minutes, with a half time break of 3 minutes.

  • Shirt numbers. Each player should wear the same shirt number in every match.

  • Match cards. Match cards are available from the Registration Desk, located near the canteen. All players must sign the first card and the coach/manager may sign the subsequent cards. Completed cards are to be handed to the match official at the start of each game. Match cards are to be returned to the Registration Desk by the referee at the end of each game.

  • Timings. Teams must assemble at the correct field five minutes before the scheduled start time of their match.

  • Cards and in game decisions.

    • o The Referee’s decision is final.

    • o Any player who receives a red card will be ineligible to play the next

    • scheduled game.

    • o Any player who receives three yellow cards will be ineligible to play the next scheduled game.

  • Under 10 and Under 11:

    • Aligned with CF junior competition rules, the U10 and U11 girls and boys divisions will be a 9-a-side competition played on a ½ OR ¾ field, with the goals to be slightly smaller (with nets) on the ½ field and standard size on the ¾ field (refer to grounds map in website)

    • The offside rule is inapplicable for these age groups.

    • Referees will deem goal square loitering as unacceptable.

    • Under 11 – 14 players max on the match card.

  • SAP ages 12 and 13s:

    • 9 a side comp on a full field.

    • Offside rule doesn't apply.

    • 14 players max on the match card.

    • Unlimited interchange when the ball is out of play and the Referee is notified. Note: the Referee has full discretion to control subs.

  • Match points:

    • Points – win 3, draw 2, scoreless draw 1, loss/forfeit 0

    • Teams unready to play within 10 minutes of the nominated kick-off time forfeit the match (3-0 win to the opposition)

  • Pool rankings for All Age Groups:

1. Points. Teams are ranked in order of the match points awarded

2. Goal difference. If two or more teams are equal on points at the end of pool games, the winner of the pool shall be determined by the calculation of goal differences (i.e. subtracting the number of goals conceded from the total of goals scored). The team with the highest resulting figure shall be deemed to have the best goal difference and shall be declared the pool winner.

3. Highest number of goals. In the event that two or more teams are equal on goal differences, the team having scored the highest number of goals shall be declared the pool winner.

4. Head to Head. The head-to-head result will be the fourth tie breaker. In the event that 3 or more teams are tied for first, the head-to-head results will still be used to determine a winner.

5. Coin Toss. The provisions of (1), then (2), then (3) then (4) shall apply to rank pool winners. Should this prove insufficient to choose a winner, this would then be followed by the toss of a coin.

Code of conduct

  • The tournament will use and enforce the following FFA Code of Conduct and

  • FFA Spectator Code of Conduct from the WCWFC Codes of Conduct.

  • The Tournament Officials will have the final decision on any situation.

  • Players:

1. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of fellow players, coaches, officials and spectators

2. Refrain from conduct that could be regarded as harassment towards fellow players and coaches

3. Respect the talent, potential and development of fellow players and competitors

4. Care for and respect the equipment provided to you as part of your program

5. Conduct yourself in a professional manner relating to language, temper and punctuality

6. Maintain high personal behaviour standards at all times

7. Abide by the rules and respect the decisions of officials, making all appeals through the formal process.

  • Parents:

1. Remember that your child participates in sport for their own enjoyment not yours

2. Focus on your child’s efforts and performance rather than winning or losing

3. Never ridicule nor yell at your child and other children for making a mistake or losing a competition

4. Show appreciation for good performance and skilful plays by all players (including opposition)

5. Respect officials’ decisions and teach children to do likewise

6. Neither physically nor verbally abuse anyone associated with the sport (player, coach, referee etc)

7. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

  • Coaches:

Coaches and team officials are expected to abide by all that is encompassed in the above Codes of Behaviour and above all encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, contest administrators and officials at every game.

Tournament Coordinator

Contact tournaments@westcanberrawanderers.org.au for further information.