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 history of Rugby Fives in WalesRugby Fives is a handball game shaped by schoolyards, distinctive courts and generations of informal coaching. Players strike a small ball with a gloved hand…
Build a rugby fives training diary that drives progressA well-kept rugby fives training diary turns scattered practice into a clear development record. It helps players connect footwork, striking, movement, fitness…
Rugby Fives and Mental Health: The Quiet Rewards Players Talk AboutRugby Fives looks unusual from the outside. A small, three-walled court, a hard leather ball, and players throwing it at angled walls with bare or gloved…
Starting a Rugby Fives society at your Australian universityRugby Fives has long been a niche but cherished court sport, originating in the United Kingdom in the 1850s and named after the public school where it was…
Keeping Rugby Fives Fixtures on Track Through a PandemicRugby Fives is one of those sports where the social side matters as much as the court craft. A typical Saturday at any club means a quick yarn over a cuppa…
Essential Rugby Fives Drills to Sharpen Hand-Eye CoordinationRugby Fives is a fast, demanding court game where reactions can be the difference between winning and losing a rally. Played on a four-walled court with a ball…
Move Better on Court: Rugby Fives Footwork DrillsRugby Fives rewards players who can get to the ball quickly, hold a strong position, and recover between shots without losing balance. Court movement often…
The heritage of the Rugby Fives Championship TrophyThe Rugby Fives Championship Trophy stands as one of the most coveted prizes in British court handball, a tangible symbol of excellence in a sport that demands…
Hosting a Rugby Fives Clinic That Schools Will RememberRugby Fives is one of those rare sports that slots into almost any school setting. Played on a three-walled court with hands and a leather ball, the game…
Rugby Fives as a family: building fitness, focus and lasting bondsRugby Fives, a fast-paced four-wall handball game, has quietly become one of the most rewarding family sports in Australia. Where many traditional team…
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