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 the Rugby Fives Association Supports Junior ClubsRugby Fives sits in an unusual corner of the sporting world: a four-walled handball game played with bare hands and a small leather ball, asking for reflexes…
Building a Rugby Fives court for your communityRugby Fives has long been associated with English public schools and the stone corridors of Cambridge, yet the sport travels well and adapts easily to new…
Why Warming Up Properly Makes Rugby Fives Players BetterRugby Fives is a curiosity in the Australian sporting landscape, played at a handful of courts from Melbourne Grammar's historic courts to the refurbished…
Best drills for a sharper Rugby Fives serveRugby Fives is a fast, hand-strike sport where the serve is the first weapon in any rally. A weak delivery hands the receiver an easy attack, while a…
Bringing Rugby Fives to Australian schools through taster sessionsRugby Fives is a handball game played with gloved hands against the walls of a three-sided or four-walled court, and it has long thrived in the United Kingdom…
Rugby Fives and Lifelong Fitness: Building Habits That LastRugby Fives traces its origins to the walls of Rugby School in England, where it has been played since the 1850s. The game uses a small, slightly softer ball…
How To Balance Competition And Social Play In Rugby FivesRugby Fives can be played with a sharp competitive edge or as a relaxed social hit, and the best clubs make room for both. Players may arrive wanting a serious…
Sharpening Your Backhand in Rugby FivesRugby Fives rewards players who dictate the tempo from the back of the court, and few shots shape a match quite like a reliable backhand. Whether you are…
How to celebrate a milestone anniversary in your Rugby Fives clubA club anniversary is a chance to recognise the people, matches and traditions that have shaped your Rugby Fives community. Whether your club is marking 10…
The science of grip pressure in Rugby FivesRugby Fives rewards players who can read the ball as much as those who can swing hard. Among the under-discussed skills that separate a solid club player from…
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