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 Rugby Fives Builds Hand-Eye Coordination in AustraliaRugby Fives is a fast, wall-based court sport in which players strike a small ball with their hands. Its compact playing area, changing rebounds and short…
How To Teach Rugby Fives Serving Technique To BeginnersA good Rugby Fives serve gives a beginner a clear first task: strike the ball cleanly, send it to the front wall, and make the receiver work without losing…
The Geography of Rugby Fives: Clubs Across the UKRugby Fives has a distinctive place on the British sporting map. Its courts are often attached to schools, colleges and historic institutions, so the sport’s…
How to Host a Rugby Fives Quiz Night FundraiserA quiz night is a practical way to bring Rugby Fives players, families, alumni and local supporters together while raising money for coaching, equipment,…
How to adapt Rugby Fives for older playersRugby Fives gives older players a way to retain the speed, physical involvement, decision-making and social life of rugby without making tackles central to the…
Make Every Rugby Fives Warm-Up CountRugby Fives combines rapid acceleration, sharp changes of direction, passing and kicking in a non-contact format. Warm-up routines have a clear role in…
Photographing Rugby Fives: Practical Tips for Club WebsitesRugby Fives has a long history in Britain, but the sport continues to grow in unexpected corners of the globe, including Australia. Clubs from Sydney to…
Hydration for Rugby Fives tournament playersHydration during Rugby Fives tournaments supports speed, decision-making and recovery across repeated matches. Players often focus on warming up and warming…
Building a Rugby Fives club social media strategyRugby Fives has a passionate following across the UK, but clubs looking to grow their membership often overlook the power of a well-planned digital presence.…
The History of Women’s Rugby Fives in the United KingdomWomen’s Rugby Fives has developed from a largely school-based pastime into a recognised part of Britain’s court-sport tradition. Its story follows wider…
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
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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