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

A rectangular sponsor logo in muted gold and cream tones on a transparent background. A square partner badge in deep maroon with cream lettering. A horizontal sponsor wordmark in warm tan and ivory.

News

TitleDateExcerpt
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…
Why Rugby Fives Fits University LifeUniversity brings a distinctive mix of independence, deadlines, new friendships, and changing routines. Students often want regular exercise, yet many find it…
Fueling Fast, Skillful Rugby Fives PerformanceRugby Fives demands quick reactions, precise footwork and repeated bursts of movement. Players accelerate across a compact court, strike the ball against the…
Coaching Rugby Fives Drills for Young ChildrenRugby Fives can give young children an exciting introduction to racket-free wall games, coordination, movement, and teamwork. The sport uses a small ball, a…
How rugby fives sharpens coordination and reflexesRugby Fives is a fast, hand-played court sport in which players strike a small ball against the front wall and use the surrounding walls to create difficult…
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
A photograph of a shelf of leather-bound archive volumes and photograph albums in maroon and tan, with a brass lamp casting warm light across the spines.

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