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
How to Manage a Rugby Fives Tournament Fixture ListA Rugby Fives fixture list is more than a sequence of match times and pitch numbers. It is the central record connecting teams, officials, volunteers, venues…
Rugby Fives Nationals and the making of a national gameRugby Fives Nationals form the season-ending championship programme at the centre of a distinctive British indoor sport. They bring together open, women’s,…
How to create a Rugby Fives player development pathwayRugby Fives is a fast, non-contact team sport in which accurate passing, support running and quick decisions shape every possession. A strong player…
Rugby Fives in the school PE curriculumRugby Fives is a fast, non-contact form of rugby union that translates well into school physical education. It asks students to handle, pass, support and make…
How to encourage girls to take up Rugby FivesRugby Fives gives girls a compact, fast-moving way into rugby, with smaller teams and simplified game structures that can make a first session feel manageable.…
Best gym exercises for Rugby Fives powerRugby Fives turns a small pitch into a collision, sprinting and support game. Players must accelerate, absorb contact, carry a ball through traffic and repeat…
How to Plan a Rugby Fives Charity Exhibition MatchRugby Fives is a quick, non-contact form of rugby that suits schools, clubs and mixed-ability teams. A charity exhibition match can showcase its fast passing,…
The benefits of playing doubles in Rugby FivesRugby Fives condenses the contact, running and tactical choices of rugby union into a faster-moving game. Add doubles, and two-player units become the centre…
How to set up a Rugby Fives league tableA well-designed Rugby Fives league table turns a collection of fixtures into a clear, motivating competition. It shows who has played, who has won, how many…
Why diversity matters in rugby fivesRugby fives offers a distinctive entry point into rugby: 15 players a side, two ten-minute halves and no tackles. That format can welcome beginners, but…
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