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 Choose the Right Rugby Fives ShoesRugby Fives is played in a compact court where every movement matters. Players accelerate, stop, turn, reach and recover within a few metres, often while using…
How rankings shape motivation in Rugby FivesRankings give Rugby Fives players a visible way to understand progress. A result can feel temporary after the final point, yet a reliable ranking turns a…
How to design a Rugby Fives summer campA Rugby Fives summer camp should feel active, welcoming and easy to join from the first session. Players need enough structure to build skills, yet enough…
How Rugby Fives Can Strengthen Local Charity FundraisingRugby Fives is a fast, accessible wall-ball sport with a distinctive community feel. Played in a compact court, it brings together schools, clubs, experienced…
How to run a Rugby Fives taster day at a community centreA Rugby Fives taster day gives local people a simple, active way to discover a traditional wall game. Participants use their hands rather than a racquet to…
Essential Stretches for Rugby Fives Hip FlexibilityRugby Fives is a game built on lunges, deep crouches and sudden changes of direction, so the hips take a beating every time you step onto court. A player who…
Coaching Rugby Fives for Players with DisabilitiesRugby Fives is a fast, social wall-ball game that can be adapted for a wide range of physical, sensory, learning and communication needs. Because players use…
The History of the Rugby Fives Association LogoA sports logo is a compact record of identity. It can show where an organisation came from, what it values and how confidently it wants to present itself to…
Building a Rugby Fives Podcast from Your ClubRugby Fives is one of those wonderfully peculiar sports that thrives in corners of the world where a four-walled court and a pair of hands are considered the…
Sleep and Rugby Fives Recovery: Why Rest Builds Better PlayersRugby Fives places a distinctive blend of demands on the body. Players sprint short distances, twist at the waist, throw with power and pivot on hard indoor…
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