Overhead flat-lay photograph of a worn leather Rugby Fives glove resting on a dark wooden court floor, with a hand-stitched ball nearby; deep browns, burgundy shadows, and warm cream highlights evoke a vintage sporting atmosphere.
A circular emblem featuring crossed hands in silhouette against a maroon and gold shield, surrounded by the words Rugby Fives Association.

Rugby Fives Association

The governing body for Rugby Fives — promoting play, coaching and competition across the UK

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News

TitleDateExcerpt
The benefits of playing Rugby Fives left-handedRugby Fives rewards players who can pass, catch, kick and support the next runner before pressure arrives. For a left-handed player, those demands can reveal…
How to organise a Rugby Fives ranking updateA Rugby Fives ranking update should turn completed fixtures into a clear, trusted ladder. Every result needs an owner, a verification step and a published…
How to promote Rugby Fives through local mediaRugby Fives has a strong story to tell: it is fast, skilful, accessible and closely connected to schools, clubs and community sport. Local media can help more…
The Clubs, the Matches and a Rugby Fives RivalryThe story of a Rugby Fives rivalry between two clubs is built from contrasts: city roots, playing styles, generations and the people who keep turning up.…
How to Choose the Right Rugby Fives Grip TapeChoosing grip tape for Rugby Fives can be confusing because the labels rarely explain how a tape behaves with sweat, rain, or a ball’s synthetic covering. The…
Rugby Fives and the Strength of Local CommunitiesThe impact of Rugby Fives on community cohesion is easiest to see in the routines created around a game: people arrive at the same local venue, learn one…
How to Run a Rugby Fives Coaching Clinic for VolunteersRugby Fives gives Australian clubs, schools and community organisations a practical way to introduce fast, open rugby to a wide range of players. A…
The best ways to recover after a Rugby Fives weekendA Rugby Fives weekend can deliver more physical stress than its short match times suggest. Two-a-side play involves repeated accelerations, sharp direction…
Build a Rugby Fives Court on a Realistic BudgetRugby Fives packs the movement, passing and decision-making of rugby into a compact five-a-side game. Most grassroots pitches use a 40 by 20 metre playing…
The Advantages of Rugby Fives for Busy AdultsModern working life leaves little room for complicated fitness routines. Long commutes, family responsibilities, shift work and full calendars can make regular…
A close-up photograph of a player's hand striking a small leather ball against a cream-coloured court wall, motion blur conveying speed; warm natural light from above.

What is Fives?

A handball sport with deep roots

Rugby Fives is a fast, skilful handball game played in an enclosed court with walls. It takes its name from Rugby School, where the modern game developed. The RFA provides resources and an introductory video for newcomers eager to understand the rules and spirit of the sport.

Discover the game
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Where to Play

Courts across the country

Rugby Fives is played at schools, universities and clubs throughout the UK. Whether you are a seasoned competitor or picking up a glove for the first time, the RFA can help connect you with local venues and fellow players.

Find a court
A panoramic photograph of a tournament in progress across multiple courts, with players in white kit moving against cream walls; warm ambient light and a sense of quiet concentration.
An overhead flat-lay photograph of a handwritten tournament draw sheet on cream paper, with a fountain pen, a leather-bound record book, and a pair of well-worn gloves arranged neatly.

Rankings

Tracking the best in the game

The RFA maintains official player rankings, including a dedicated Women's rankings list and end-of-season standings. A comprehensive record book of tournament winners stretches back to 1925, preserving nearly a century of competitive history.

View rankings
A photograph of a fixture board on a cream-painted wall, with neatly handwritten match cards pinned in rows; soft shadows and warm indirect light.

Fixtures & Tournaments

The competitive calendar

The RFA calendar includes championships, open tournaments, and school and university matches. Major events have included the National Open Singles, the South West Open, the London Open, the Scottish Open, and the Owers Trophy — alongside representative fixtures against schools and clubs.

See fixtures
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Archive

Nearly a century of history

The RFA archive, cared for by Hon Archivist David Barnes, holds news reports and results from 1998–2018, action photographs, school and club histories, articles, tributes, obituaries, and a map of Fives places around the world. Earlier material is drawn from the former RFA website.

Explore the archive
A wide photograph of a packed gallery at a Rugby Fives tournament, with spectators lining the court balcony; warm cream walls and maroon accents in the crowd.

Get in Touch