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
Sharpen your Rugby Fives game with purposeful practice matchesRugby Fives rewards players who treat every hit of the ball as a chance to learn something new. While competitive league fixtures give you a result to chase,…
Rugby Fives And Eton Fives: What Sets Them ApartRugby Fives and Eton Fives are closely related British wall-and-ball sports, yet they offer distinctly different experiences. Both are played with the hands,…
How to Host a Rugby Fives Awards Night That Players Will RememberAwards nights are a long-standing tradition in Australian sporting clubs, and a Rugby Fives end-of-season celebration offers the perfect chance to recognise…
How Rugby Fives Builds Resilience in Young AustraliansRugby Fives is one of the oldest handball sports in the world, played with gloved hands against the walls and buttresses of a three-sided court. For more than…
How to Maintain Rugby Fives Equipment Year-RoundReliable equipment helps Rugby Fives players move confidently, protect their hands and feet, and enjoy consistent practice in every season. A ball that has…
Mixed-doubles Rugby Fives tournaments bring fresh energy to the courtMany Australian players first picked up a doubles game during a relaxed Sunday arvo on the local tennis courts, so stepping onto a Rugby Fives court with a…
Sharpen Your Anticipation In Rugby FivesAnticipation is the skill that helps a Rugby Fives player arrive early, choose better options, and turn a difficult rally into an attacking chance. It is more…
The university story of Rugby Fives at Oxford and CambridgeRugby Fives has a long association with Britain’s independent schools, universities and traditional court games. Its history at Oxford and Cambridge reflects…
How to organise a Rugby Fives inter-school competitionA Rugby Fives inter-school competition can give students a fresh racquet-free court sport while building links between schools, clubs and local coaches. The…
Recover well after a Rugby Fives matchRugby Fives is played in a compact court, but the movement demands are substantial. Repeated lunges, rapid changes of direction, low defensive positions and…
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