Event Handbook

Schedule

Saturday 25th July

• 08:15 — Venue opens for warm-ups
• 09:00 — Group matches start
• 18:00 — Matches end

Sunday 26th July

• 08:15 — Venue opens for warm-ups
• 09:00 — Day 2 matches start
• 17:30 — Matches end
• 18:00 — All teams depart

Venues: Cochrane Park (U12 & U13 Boys) · Coach Lane Sports Ground (U10, U11, U14 & U15 Boys · U12 Girls). See the Venue Information page for addresses and site maps.

Welcome

Welcome to The Newcastle International Summer Cup 2026, a two-day football tournament staged at Newcastle University & Northumbria University's state-of-the-art facilities. Over the next two days, teams across seven age groups will take to the field in a celebration of football. This guide contains everything you'll need to know about the weekend — please read and share it with your coaches and supporters.

The Organising Committee wishes all competing teams the very best of luck — express yourself and have fun. A huge thank you to the coaches and parents for ensuring players are fully prepared, and to our terrific sponsors and partners. In the sixth year of the tournament, we thank all clubs for their participation. Our number one priority across the weekend is the safety of all players, coaches and spectators.

Finally, a word for the players: have fun, introduce yourself to fellow players, make friends and create lifelong memories. Good luck!

• Tournament Management Committee: Rory McBride & Tegan Reynolds
• Administration email: register@newcastlesummercup.com
• Telephone: 0131 510 1008
• Emergency number (mobile): +44 7384 951397
• Tournament app: search "Newcastle Intl. Summer Cup" on Apple & Google Play

Cochrane Park U12 & U13 Boys

Accessible from the A1 and A167: Cochrane Park, 12 Etherstone Ave, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7JX.

• By car: facility staff will advise on the designated car park for your group. Use the designated parking zone off the residential road within Cochrane Park; overflow parking is available once the main car park is full.
• By coach: drivers should follow facility staff instructions to the coach parking area within the main car park.

Coach Lane Sports Ground U10, U11, U14 & U15 Boys · U12 Girls

Accessible from the A1 and A1058 Coast Road: Coach Lane Sports Ground, Coach Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7XA.

Parking: use Coach Lane East Campus (East Car Park), Coach Lane, Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7XA. Parking is managed by APCOA via ANPR — pay on arrival using the APCOA Connect App (Location ID: 983) or the physical pay machines near the Sports Centre and Community building.

• By car: use the main car park accessed directly from Coach Lane; follow steward directions at all times.
• By coach: follow facility staff and stewards to the designated coach parking area; please ensure drivers remain contactable during the day.

Team Registration

Make yourselves known at the registration desk outside the main clubhouse building on arrival each day. Only one coach should approach the desk, with all players and other coaches remaining outside until instructed to move to their playing area. If you arrive after the desk has closed, make your way to your first-match pitch where a member of the tournament team will register your squad.

The fixture schedule is sent separately. Players, coaches and spectators should use the tournament app, which is updated throughout the weekend and is the best place for up-to-date fixture information. All fixtures are subject to change.

Format & Substitutions

• U10 & U11 is 7-a-side · U12 & U13 is 9-a-side · U14 & U15 is 11-a-side.
• 7-a-side & 9-a-side categories may make unlimited substitutions (roll on, roll off) with the referee's permission.
• 11-a-side categories may make five substitutions per match, from a maximum match squad of 18.
• Each category is split into two groups; the top two teams progress to the Cup, with others going into the Plate or Bowl depending on group placing.
• Offsides are in play for U12–U15 at the referee's discretion. Teams provide a volunteer official to assist, but the referee's decision is final.
• There are no retreat lines or safety zones in any age group. Regular throw-ins, corner kicks and goal kicks apply; all rules are in line with FA standards.

Full match durations and ball sizes are listed on the Age Group Formats page.

Discipline & Tie-Breakers

• Cooling-off period (sin bins): players shown a yellow card for dissent are substituted for a 5-minute cooling-off period; the team may continue with a full side but the player cannot re-enter until the 5 minutes have passed. Major dissent or verbal abuse may result in a straight red card.
• Ties on points at the end of group play are decided by: head-to-head, then goal difference, then goals for, then goals against. If still level, referees score each team 1–100 for on-pitch Fair Play, and officials/supporters 1–100 for touchline behaviour.
• Knockouts: a five-kick penalty shoot-out decides a drawn match. Cup finals only: 10 minutes of extra time is played before penalties. The goalkeeper cannot be changed for a shoot-out unless injured.
• Only the captain may speak to the referee during a match.
• Goalkeepers must release the ball within 8 seconds of gaining possession, or a corner is awarded to the opposition.
• Deliberate heading is not permitted at U10 & U11 (FA guidelines from 2026/27) — an indirect free-kick is awarded, and headers denying a goal may be a red card. This applies to deliberate actions, not accidental contact.
• The pass-back rule applies to all categories except U10, where the goalkeeper may pick up a teammate's pass or throw.

Referees & Pitches

• All referees hold the relevant FA qualifications; their decision is final and abuse of officials will not be tolerated.
• Each team must provide an assistant referee to help from the touchline.
• All age groups play on 3G astroturf, except U12 Girls who play on grass. Bring appropriate footwear for both surfaces.
• Be ready at your allocated pitch five minutes before kick-off — late arrival may result in a forfeit.
• Every team must have a designated first aider pitch-side. A maximum of three coaches/officials get pitch-side access (including the volunteer assisting the referee). Supporters and substitutes must stand behind the pitch barriers.

Equipment & Age Dispensations

• Referees provide the match ball. Clubs provide their own warm-up balls — only a very limited number are available on site.
• Size 3 for U10 & U11 · Size 4 for U12 & U13 · Size 5 for U14 & U15. There is no warm-up equipment provided — bring your own.
• Players must fall within the designated age requirements unless a dispensation is requested prior to the event. Additional dispensation is granted for U12 Girls for players born on/after 1st January 2014, in line with their national FA if applicable (e.g. Scotland).

Kit & Codes of Conduct

• Changing rooms are limited — players MUST arrive ready to play each day. Bring your own water bottles and food; taps are available in the toilet facilities, and hot/cold refreshments are on sale at both venues.
• All players, managers and supporters must abide by FA Rules and Codes of Conduct. Organisers may ask anyone behaving inappropriately to leave, and may report conduct to the relevant league body.
• Please supervise children at all times — this is a safeguarding responsibility. Each club should have its own recognised Welfare Officer.

Alcohol Policy

Adults must not purchase or supply alcohol to children. No alcohol is to be consumed pitch-side under any circumstances. Alcohol may be purchased by over-18s from the facility bar and must only be consumed within the pavilion. Misuse may result in removal from the venue without a refund.

Photography & Video

Photographs of players aged 17 or under are only permitted with the consent of the responsible group. All participants consent to being photographed and filmed by the tournament and its media partners unless prior dispensation has been sought. Officials and media partners will be clearly identifiable throughout the weekend.

Awards Presentations

Winning teams in every competitive age category are awarded the Newcastle International Summer Cup trophy at the designated presentation area directly after their final matches. All players receive a participation medal — please ensure a coach collects these before departing on Sunday.

Food & Drink

• Food/drink cannot be consumed on or around a pitch (excluding player hydration). Packed lunches are permitted.
• Tea/coffee and burger vendors are situated in the main car park throughout the weekend; a nearby Sainsbury's (beside Cochrane Park) and Tesco Express (10-minute walk from Coach Lane) are also available.
• BBQs are NOT permitted at the tournament venues.

Venue Facilities & Security

• Toilets are within the main clubhouse buildings — please don't visit in large groups. Changing facilities are limited; arrive ready to play/coach.
• Keep warm: indoor access is restricted, so bring appropriate clothing for long periods outside. Dogs and pets are not permitted on site.
• Do not leave personal belongings unattended; the tournament and venues cannot accept responsibility for lost or damaged items.
• The committee may make changes to the programme or rules as necessary for clarity or safety; any changes are updated on the official app.

Safety

Participant safety is paramount. Comprehensive risk assessments of each facility have been conducted and are available on request. Athletes and coaches should wear club kit across both days so they are recognisable — anyone not obviously part of a squad may be asked to return to spectator zones. Ultimate responsibility for wellbeing lies with the accompanying coaches and parents.

Safeguarding

A full safeguarding policy is in place and a Safeguarding Officer has been appointed — please contact us for a copy or their details. For safeguarding reasons, toilets for players/officials and parents/supporters are segregated and clearly signposted within the indoor dome at Cochrane Park.

Emergency Fire Procedures

• Raise the alarm with facility or tournament staff.
• Leave the building or pitch area using the designated escape routes.
• Meet at the designated muster point (shown on the site map) and remain outside until told it is safe to re-enter.
• Anyone requiring assistance should congregate at the nearest safe place or refuge point and speak to the nearest official or venue staff member.

First Aid

There will be paramedics, first aiders and an ambulance on site. The nearest hospital is the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Queen Victoria Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP.

The Newcastle International Summer Cup will return in July 2027. Early-bird registration opens on 1st September 2026, with 2027 places initially prioritised for teams who attended in 2026. To re-register, email your team name and age category to register@newcastlesummercup.com before 1st September 2026 to guarantee your place.

Have a great weekend.
The Newcastle International Summer Cup Organising Committee