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
Finding Balance As A Rugby Fives VolunteerRugby Fives depends on people who give their time beyond the court. Volunteers organise fixtures, welcome new players, maintain equipment, support tournaments,…
Reading An Opponent’s Weaknesses In Rugby FivesA strong Rugby Fives player does more than strike the ball cleanly. They notice how an opponent moves, which shots cause hesitation, and what happens when the…
The Future Of Rugby Fives As A School Sport In The UKRugby Fives has a distinctive place in British sporting history. Played against the walls of a court rather than across a grass pitch, it combines hand skills,…
How to handle nerves before a big Rugby Fives matchNerves are a normal part of preparing for an important Rugby Fives match. They show that the occasion matters, sharpen your awareness, and can provide useful…
Building A Wider Future For Rugby FivesRugby Fives has the qualities that make a sport easy to love: fast rallies, compact courts, adaptable rules, and a strong emphasis on skill, movement, and…
Building a supportive culture in a Rugby Fives clubA thriving Rugby Fives club is shaped by more than court time, results, and reliable fixtures. Members stay involved when they feel respected, included, and…
Prepare Better for Every Rugby Fives MatchRugby Fives is fast, reactive, and technically demanding. Players move repeatedly between the front wall, side walls, and floor while adjusting to changing…
How to Keep Score in Rugby Fives: A Simple GuideRugby Fives scoring is easy to follow once the basic rhythm of a game is clear. Players compete for each rally, points are recorded in sequence, and the winner…
From School Courts to National FinalsRugby Fives has a distinctive place in British sporting history. Played against a four-sided court, with a gloved hand replacing a racket, the game developed…
Choosing The Right Equipment For Rugby Fives BeginnersRugby Fives is often grouped with squash, handball, and other indoor court games, so newcomers sometimes assume that a racquet or racket is part of the…
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