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
Staying Hydrated Through Every Rugby Fives MatchRugby Fives is played at a fast pace, with short rallies, rapid changes of direction, repeated lunges, and frequent use of the hands, legs, and upper body.…
How to Use the Walls Effectively in Rugby Fives StrategyRugby Fives is often described as a game of speed, touch, and reactions, but the walls are equally important tactical tools. Every shot changes the available…
Finals That Shaped Rugby Fives HistoryThe most memorable Rugby Fives finals in Association history are remembered for more than the names on the trophy. They capture the sport’s distinctive…
How to Build A Beginner Rugby Fives League In Your TownRugby Fives is an accessible court sport with a strong social character. It needs relatively little equipment, can be played indoors throughout the year, and…
The Science Behind Swing And Spin In Rugby Fives ShotsRugby Fives can look deceptively simple: a player strikes a small ball against a wall and prepares for the return. Yet every shot is shaped by a precise…
Bringing Rugby Fives To Life In A Local SchoolRugby Fives is a fast, skillful wall game that can give pupils a fresh alternative to familiar racquet and invasion sports. Played with the hands against a…
Recover stronger after a Rugby Fives tournamentA Rugby Fives tournament can place a surprising demand on the body. Matches involve repeated sprints, sharp changes of direction, lunges, jumps, quick…
Building a Reliable Rugby Fives Match-Day RoutineA well-designed pre-match routine helps Rugby Fives players arrive ready to move, react, and compete with a clear mind. It should prepare the body for rapid…
Celebrating Rugby Fives’ Unsung Club HeroesRugby Fives depends on far more than the players who step onto court. Behind every fixture, coaching session, school visit and championship is a network of…
How To Maintain A Rugby Fives Court At A Community CentreA well-kept Rugby Fives court gives players a safer, more consistent place to train, compete, and develop their skills. At a community centre, the court may…
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
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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