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 unsung heroes of Rugby Fives: club secretariesA Rugby Fives club can look effortless from the outside. Players arrive, courts are ready, fixtures appear on the calendar, and results reach the right people.…
Building a Mini Rugby Fives Court for Australian SchoolsRugby Fives is a fast, low-contact wall game that can fit neatly into a school’s physical education program. Players use their hands to strike a small ball…
Tactical defences against a hard hitter in Rugby FivesA powerful opponent can make Rugby Fives feel like a contest of reflexes, yet raw pace is only dangerous when it controls the rally. A hard hitter wants a…
How to Clean and Grip Your Rugby Fives RacquetRugby Fives is played with the hands against a four-sided court wall, so standard Rugby Fives does not use a racquet. Players rely on a suitable glove, clean…
How Rugby Fives supports mental wellbeingMental wellbeing is shaped by ordinary routines: moving the body, seeing familiar people, sleeping well and having activities that create a sense of purpose.…
How to create a season plan for your Rugby Fives teamA clear season plan gives a Rugby Fives team direction from the first training session to the final fixture. It connects technical development, match…
How a Rugby Fives ball bounces, grips and spinsA Rugby Fives ball may look simple, yet every shot is a compact physics experiment. Its speed, angle, leather surface and internal construction determine…
Rugby Fives for Scouts and Guides in AustraliaRugby Fives is a fast, adaptable wall game that suits youth groups looking for an active session with simple equipment. Players use their hands to strike a…
The Referee’s Role In Rugby FivesA Rugby Fives referee is responsible for much more than announcing the score. The official protects the flow of the game, applies the laws consistently, and…
How to recover after a gruelling Rugby Fives tournamentA Rugby Fives tournament can place unusual demands on the body. Players may complete several matches in one day, repeatedly sprinting, lunging, twisting and…
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
A wide-angle photograph of a row of Rugby Fives courts at a traditional British school, with ivy-covered brick walls and cream court surfaces under soft overcast daylight.

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