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 Design a Rugby Fives Club LogoA Rugby Fives club logo must work on a scoreboard, a social media profile, a player’s jersey and a sponsor’s banner. It should communicate the club’s…
Fueling Speed, Focus And Recovery For Rugby FivesRugby Fives is a fast, reactive court sport that places repeated demands on the legs, shoulders, forearms and nervous system. Players accelerate, stop, lunge,…
How to host a Rugby Fives taster session at a universityUniversity campuses offer an ideal setting for introducing Rugby Fives to new players. Students can learn the basics, meet teammates and experience the speed…
What Rugby Fives teaches about mental toughnessRugby Fives looks simple from the outside: players strike a small ball against the walls of a court, react to the return and try to keep the rally under…
How to fundraise for a new Rugby Fives courtA new Rugby Fives court can give a club or school a dependable place to train, host tournaments and welcome more young players. The strongest campaigns explain…
The history of Rugby Fives courts in British schoolsRugby Fives grew from the need to play a forceful, passing game in restricted school spaces. Its defining feature is the wall: a served or returned ball…
Build a Rugby Fives community newsletterRugby Fives is a fast, two-a-side game with contact but no tackling, making it well suited to community clubs and mixed-age social play. A newsletter gives…
The Role of a Rugby Fives Referee at TournamentsRugby Fives, the 15-a-side rugby union code, is played on full-size fields and demands constant supervision of movement, contact and player welfare. At a…
The Best Rugby Fives Matches of the Last DecadeThe past decade has given Rugby Fives a compelling collection of contests: long singles rallies, tactical doubles exchanges, school finals decided by tiny…
Plan A Successful Rugby Fives Club Away DayA Rugby Fives club away day gives players a chance to compete, train and socialise beyond their regular court. With a little planning, it can bring together…
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