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.

Rugby Fives Association

The governing body for Rugby Fives — promoting play, coaching and competition across the UK

How to celebrate a milestone anniversary in your Rugby Fives club

A 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 years, 25 years or a century of play, the strongest celebrations connect its history with the next generation of players.

For an Australian club, the occasion can bring together current members, former players, families, schools, coaches and supporters from across the local area. A thoughtful anniversary programme does not need an extravagant budget. It needs a clear story, practical planning and activities that feel true to the club.

Celebration idea	Best suited to	Australian planning angle
Anniversary tournament	Active players and visiting clubs	Schedule around school terms, public holidays and the hotter months
Heritage exhibition	Members, families and alumni	Display photographs, blazers, scorebooks and local newspaper cuttings
Open coaching day	Schools and new participants	Work with council facilities, school sport networks and community groups
Gala dinner or barbecue	Broad club community	Use a venue with accessible transport, dietary options and space for speeches
Fundraising campaign	Long-term club development	Link donations to court repairs, equipment, access programmes or coaching

Build the celebration around your club story

Begin by agreeing on the anniversary’s central story. It could focus on a founding teacher, a group of volunteers, a landmark championship, the opening of a court or the way the club welcomed new players. A clear theme gives the event personality and helps the committee decide what belongs in the programme.

Search old fixture lists, competition results, club newsletters, photographs and minute books. Ask long-serving members to identify people and places in the images. A short timeline displayed at the venue can be more engaging than a long formal history, especially when it includes memorable scores, touring stories and amusing moments from club life.

Invite former members to contribute remotely if they cannot travel. A recorded message from a past captain in Perth, Brisbane or regional Victoria can become part of the evening’s presentation. These contributions make the milestone feel national and personal at the same time.

Plan a tournament with a celebratory feel

An anniversary tournament is a natural centrepiece because it lets the sport speak for itself. Alongside the main competition, consider a mixed social draw, a junior exhibition, a veterans’ match or a short-format event for people returning to Rugby Fives after many years. Keep the atmosphere welcoming so the day includes more than the most experienced competitors.

Choose the date carefully. Australian clubs may need to work around summer heat, winter sport commitments, school calendars and long-distance travel between cities. A morning start can be sensible in warmer regions, while an indoor venue or shaded rest area will help players and spectators remain comfortable. Have water stations, clear breaks and first-aid arrangements in place.

Use commemorative details without slowing down the schedule. Anniversary bibs, a special trophy, a display court sign or a printed programme can make ordinary fixtures feel distinctive. Publish results promptly and preserve the draw, photographs and match reports for the club archive.

Reconnect generations of players

Milestone events work best when current juniors meet the people who established the club. Pair younger players with former captains for a short skills session, invite alumni to present awards or create a “club pathways” discussion about playing, coaching, officiating and volunteering. These encounters show that membership is a continuing story rather than a series of separate eras.

A heritage display can include old rackets, kit, handwritten score sheets, championship medals and school photographs. Add captions that explain why each item matters. A QR code can lead to a digital archive, oral-history recording or extended timeline, giving visitors a way to explore the club after the event.

Contact former members through social media, school networks and personal introductions. Some may have moved overseas, while others may still live nearby but have lost touch with the club. A warm invitation, a named contact person and an accessible venue often make attendance easier than a formal announcement alone.

Give schools and new players a place in the day

An anniversary should create future participation, not simply look backwards. Run a come-and-try session for local schools, families and community groups, with simple games that explain the court, movement and scoring. Keep equipment available for beginners and ensure coaches use plain language rather than assuming prior knowledge.

In Australia, partnerships with a nearby independent school, public school, university or local council can extend the reach of the event. The timing may work well alongside a school sport programme, a community open day or a council recreation initiative. A sausage sizzle, fruit, cold drinks and shade can make the session feel familiar to local families, while a clear registration process helps convert interest into regular attendance.

Use the anniversary to explain the different ways people can take part. Some may want competitive fixtures, while others prefer social sessions, coaching, administration, photography or grounds support. Share details of upcoming training and give newcomers a named person to contact before they leave.

Recognise the volunteers behind the club

Players are visible on match day, but volunteers often carry the club through years of fixtures, fundraising and maintenance. Include grounds staff, committee members, scorers, coaches, officials, administrators, transport helpers and parents in the anniversary recognition. A personal citation or short story will usually mean more than a generic list of names.

Consider a volunteers’ morning tea, a presentation of service awards or a wall of appreciation featuring photographs and brief biographies. Make sure recognition includes people who contributed quietly and those whose work took place before current digital records existed. Ask recipients how they would like their names and achievements recorded.

Funding can support these plans. A local council community grant, sporting partnership, business sponsorship or member donation may help pay for venue hire, printing, accessibility measures or junior equipment. Present a simple budget with a clear community benefit, especially if the anniversary also launches a participation or facility project.

Share the milestone beyond the clubhouse

Good communication turns an internal gathering into a wider celebration. Prepare a short anniversary story for local newspapers, community websites, school newsletters and club social channels. Use strong photographs, a concise history and specific event information. Avoid filling every message with dates and committee language; show why the club matters to real people.

The national association can help clubs connect their local story with the wider Rugby Fives community, competitions, records and development work. Reference notable fixtures, players or coaching milestones accurately, and submit worthwhile photographs or documents for preservation where appropriate.

For Australian audiences, include practical details that remove friction: the suburb, public transport options, parking, venue access, start and finish times, costs and whether spectators need to register. Mention nearby cafés or facilities when visitors are travelling from interstate. A well-organised event page can make the difference for alumni deciding whether the trip is manageable.

Preserve the memories after the event

Assign one person, or a small archive team, to collect photographs, programmes, speeches, results and media coverage. Ask contributors for permission before publishing images, particularly where children are involved. Store digital files in more than one location and label them with dates, names and event details.

Create a short anniversary publication or online collection once the celebrations finish. It might include a timeline, selected oral histories, tournament results and reflections from juniors and long-serving members. Keep the tone varied: a serious account of a championship can sit beside a funny recollection of a delayed bus or a memorable club barbecue.

End the project by recording what worked and what should continue. Perhaps the open day created a junior training group, the tournament established an annual fixture or the archive uncovered enough material for a permanent display. The anniversary then becomes a starting point for sustained club development rather than a single date on the calendar.

Set a date, appoint a small organising group and choose one activity that brings generations together on court. Invite members to share records and memories, approach local schools and community partners, and build a celebration that honours the past while giving new players a reason to join.

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

A photograph of a shelf of leather-bound archive volumes and photograph albums in maroon and tan, with a brass lamp casting warm light across the spines.