Kanga Cup Information 2024
What is Kanga Cup?
Kanga Cup is the largest International Youth Football Tournament in the Southern Hemisphere. The annual, week-long event held during the July school holidays, proudly champions the mission of Uniting the Youth of the World through Football..
The Opening Ceremony is held Sunday afternoon with the first round of games beginning Monday. Games will continue throughout the week with the Grand Finals being played on the Friday.
Where is Kanga Cup?
Various Venues across Canberra, ACT
When is Kanga Cup?
Kanga Cup 2024 will be held 7th-12th July 2024, the first week of the school holidays. Teams generally arrive on the Sunday afternoon and leave on the Friday. We are yet to receive all the details regarding costs etc but they will be similar to last year’s information below. We encourage you to sign up to the Kanga Cup information email to make sure you don’t miss out on any important information or registration dates etc
Who can enter?
Any LFC team (or composite team) from ages U9’s to U18’s can enter.
Because of the high standard in the competition, LFC promote the cup to SAP, SUPER LEAGUE and DIAMOND LEAGUE teams, however, social teams can attend.
It is up to individual teams to make the decision whether to attend or not as this is a totally independent competition which LFC supports - but does not organise.
There are three levels of competition at Kanga. Teams have to nominate into an appropriate level of competition for the age group.
• Cup Competition – Strong SL/DL/SAP A teams that can compete with rep sides
• Plate Competition – Other SL/DL/SAP A teams
• Shield Competition – Bs teams and other social teams
NB: Due to the historically low number of entries in certain age groups, not all categories will be offered to every age group.
Teams are required to provide records of their previous year’s results and/or standings from their association competitions on registration.
How much is it?
Payment for Teams fee can either be made at time of registration in full, or team members can make payments online for their component of the fees.
The Team Manager can see who has paid, and who hasn’t.
Entry costs and coaching costs are not included in LFC coaching fees. Players are responsible for paying these additional costs.
LINDFIELD FC Coaching Costs:
The club will try and provide a club coach for SAP/SL/DL and Dev squads that attend. We are asking the coaches to take a week out from their normal life so this is not always possible.
Where the regular coach cannot attend, we will try and find some coach coverage for the team either by sharing a coach or finding an alternate.
The cost of the coach will be invoiced to the team as part of the final coaching invoice. The cost will be $2000 per team.
This fee will fund coaches accommodation, travel and provide a daily payment for the coaches (to cover expenses and match time). Costs may be less if coach is responsible for more than one team.
Parents are free to provide a thank you gift or pay for a dinner for the coach in addition, if they choose.
How do we sign up?
KEY DATES
Apr 2: Registrations open online (Early Bird). $50 discount
Feb 12: Early bird discount end. Team registration still open
May 13: Team registrations close & final amount due 5pm (revised)
May 20: Provisional pools for each competition released*
(Teams will have until 23rd to send feedback)
May 29: Final Pools released*
June 5: Dispensations due
June 10: Final draw published* (small changes may be made at the discretion of KCOC)
June 20: Final registrations due (player/ team details, proof of age and Code of Conduct)
July 7: Opening Ceremony
July 7: Matches Begin
July 12: Grand Finals Day
*Key dates are subject to change at the discretion of KCOC
1. Managers of SAP, Super League and Diamond League will ask their teams who would like to attend so they can confirm numbers and see how many teams can be formed. Social teams tend to come together a bit more organically, often with siblings of SAP DS teams.
2. Managers will advise Age Coordinators they are attending and fill in the LFC Kanga Cup 2024 Form. LFC need this information so we can keep attending teams updated, complete paperwork from the LFC end and also allocate coaches where possible.
3. Managers then register their teams – this will be available from early April on the Kanga Cup website . A detailed help guide for paperwork can be found below. TIP: Before registrations open, please Register your Interest and receive email updates and reminders to register - from the Kanga organisers.
4. May 13th: Team registrations close & deposits due.
To be sure you understand everything regarding how Kanga works, please take a detailed look at: their website, download the competition regulations and this handy PDF download summary is also useful.
Opening Ceremony
Every year there is a massive Opening ceremony on the Sunday afternoon, to which all teams are invited. All competing teams are invited to attend and celebrate the beginning of the 2024 McDonald’s Kanga Cup!
The Opening Ceremony will take place in the heart of Canberra at Stage 88, Commonwealth Park on the shores of Lake Burley-Griffin.
Opening Ceremony attendees are encouraged to bring camping chairs to ensure a seat throughout!
It is a good time to collect any pre ordered merchandise and the Kit Bag.
Kit Bag Collection
Nominate one person to collect the Kit bag at the end of the opening Ceremony. If for some reason it cannot be collected, you will need to organise an alternate pick up with the organisers.
TIP: At the end of comp, vote for a Player of the Comp and present them with the Kanga kit bag.
Game Days
Uniform
Each Team must have both a primary playing strip and alternate strip of another colour in case of clashes with the opposing team - this is mandatory!
For LFC this means you need to take both your BLUE playing shirt and a WHITE playing shirt
Both Shirts need to be numbered with the same unique number - make sure in composite teams there are no double ups.
LFC shorts and socks mandatory
Thermals – recommended. Colours can only be Black, White, Skin colour or Navy.
Warm coats and tracksuits strongly advised
LFC Beanies and Scarves can be purchased at the Uniform Shop
Pennants
Although not compulsory, the exchange of pendants, pins and other gifts is highly encouraged during Kanga Cup. The exchanging of gifts is a sign of friendship and respect.
If you would like to order some for your team, please provide an order via the Uniform Shop using the PENNANT voucher code, we will provide you up to 10 Pennants that can be used across the competition.
Any unused can be given to player(s) of the tournament or returned to uniform shop.
There is no additional charge to teams for these items.
Spectators
Games can we watched in semi warm sunshine under blue skies or cold freezing wind and rain. So pack lots of warm clothing and layers
Games Can be in any of the Canberra suburbs (including Queanbeyan). Traffic is never an issue, so it does not matter where you stay. Your location will be the same for the whole week
Tournament Identification
All registered participants (Players and Team Officials) will receive Tournament identification in the form of a wristband or Team Official accreditation to be worn throughout the week.
Wristbands or Team Official accreditation will be required for participants to participate in every Match.
Broken wristbands will need to be produced at McDonald’s Kanga Cup Headquarters in order for a new one to be obtained
Pool Matches and Finals
From Monday to Thursday teams will play a minimum of five games, with no more than two games per day.
If your team makes it to the final then these are held on the Friday morning.
Can a player represent more than one team at Kanga Cup?
No. Any player found to be playing on more than one team will be disqualified & the team will forfeit the game they played in.
Team Composition
Combination teams may be necessary if your team does not have enough available players eg LFC 12A + 12B + U11A Goalie. See below the special note about LOAN players from other clubs.
Playing Squads
U9: 12 players + 3 team officials
U10 - U11: AWD 14 players + 3 team officials
U12 - U18: 16 players + 3 team officials
Match Duration
Due to tight scheduling there will be no stoppage/injury time added on to any Match under any circumstances (including finals Matches) The clock will continue for any stoppages that occur.
Extra Time & Finals
Extra time will only be played in finals/playoffs matches, if the scores between the two teams are tied at the end of normal time. Then a two minute break followed by two periods of 5 -10 mins (age dependent).
If there is still no result, a penalty shoot out will then ensue.
TESTIMONIALS
“The Kanga Cup is an awesome event held during the July holidays with 5 days of great football.
It is well organised and well worth the drive to Canberra. It has a balanced program of games and leisure time.
The trip is not only fun for the players, parents and siblings can visit Canberra’s many activities on offer. ”
Kanga Cup Paperwork
The not fun part to Kanga Cup is the paperwork.
Teams need to register themselves on the Kanga Cup Website usually in April or May. Before this date you can Register your Interest and then you will receive any relevant reminder emails and information. On completion of the team registration, a TEAM ID will be generated and will be emailed to you. Please pass on the Team ID to the team players as they will be asked for it while completing their individual player registration to the team.
Kanga is an out of association competition, this means all teams competing must have approval from Football NSW. See below for FNSW Sanctioning Form Details.
If teams are using any loan players from other clubs (up to 3 are allowed) they must upload this information to BOTH FNSW and also get approval from Kanga Cup.
BEFORE filling out these forms you will need your team list* and the letters of support from each borrowed player. Details below.
* Composite teams ie LFC players joining together to make one team are perfectly acceptable - you just need to make sure to submit age dispensations if necessary.
Football NSW Sanctioning Form
All participating teams must fill fill in the Football NSW sanctioning form by Wednesday 5 June 2024.
Please see the below info & example of how to complete.
Division: as there are no divisions in MiniRoos, just put SAP League. Competition age teams put your normal Div 1 or other applicable.
Manager Name: please put the contact information for the person who is managing the team for Kanga Cup. Only put the coach's name if they are managing the team.
Composite team means you are using borrowed players from another Club - if YES you will need to upload the letter of support from the players usual club. See bullet point 3 in the below info re LOAN players. If you are a combined LFC team you don’t need to list those players here.
Team List: this is an uploaded file, so suggest a simple excel file that has the team list/names including their FFA numbers. You can copy and paste the team list from MCM into excel and simply add any LOAN players. Managers and AC's will have to work together on this one as each team is a little bit different in their structure.
LOAN Players
A team may borrow up to three (3) players from another club/s within their association to make up team numbers.
Teams wishing to borrow players from another club will be required to seek approval from the KCOC by submitting this form found under Tournament Info/Dispensations.
Teams must also have written permission, on letterhead, from the player’s usual club releasing them for the duration of the tournament. You must attach that letter when filling in the above form - once you click LOAN, an option to upload will become visible.
LFC need to know the player's name, team, club and FFA number (details should have been submitted on our google form)
UnderAge or OverAge Dispensation requests are also to be submitted via this form.
For LFC players wishing to play for another club, we will supply the Letter of Approval. You need to advise your Age Coordinator and get approval from coaching. Once approved, please email the Registrar who will supply the letter.
Combination LFC teams eg U12A + U12B do not have to list any LFC registered players separately.
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Accomodation
Recommend to book early!
ANU student accommodation at the university.
Burbury Hotel: LFC families have stayed here. It is a hotel with apartment style accommodation incl washing machine & small kitchen for self-catering. There is a reasonably priced restaurant across the road that could cater for groups.
Canberra Park: Relatively new group accommodation facility with bunk style rooms (max 4 people per room, with a shower, basin & toilet in each room). Fully catered - includes breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.
No cooking facilities!More accommodation options on the “Kanga Website”
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Dinner Options
Organise a team dinner for one of the nights
Dinner Options that have catered for larger groups:
1. Fellows Bar & Café: ANU, 1 Balmain Cres, Acton.
2. EastLake Football Club
3. Ostani Lounge, Bar & Restaurant:
Hotel Realm, 18 National Circuit, Barton4. Ainslie Football Club
5. The Tradies
6. Hopscotch Bar or Dolly’s in Civic - for group bookings call Kate 02 6107 3030
These need to be booked well in advance. You can confirm exact numbers closer to the event.
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Other Activities
As there is only 1 or 2 matches per day teams can organise other activities for the kids and siblings to keep them occupied.
TripAdvisor: Top 10 Canberra Must Dos
VisitCanberra: The Top 10 Things to Do in Canberra with Kids
HolidaywithKids: 65 Family Friendly Activities in Canberra with Kids
Qantas Travel Insider: Tick off These Free Things to Do with Kids in Canberra
CONTACT KANGA CUP
This annual road trip is highly recommended.
The players come back strong, fit and ready to finish the season off on a strong note.
Warning! If you go once you will want to go back every year!
The LFC Team
Email: info@kangacup.com
Tel: 02 6189 2222
BUSINESS ADDRESS: Unit 2/3 Football House, Phipps Close, Deakin, ACT, 2600
MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 50, Curtin, ACT, 2605
