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 Encourage Girls To Play Rugby Fives

Rugby Fives offers girls a fast, social and adaptable way to become involved in sport. Played against a wall with the hands, it develops reactions, balance, movement and tactical awareness without requiring a large field or expensive equipment. The enclosed court can also create a focused environment where beginners quickly feel part of the action.

For Australian schools, clubs and community groups, the sport has practical advantages. Sessions can run in a school gym, sports hall or suitable outdoor court, making Rugby Fives useful in cities such as Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide, where access to playing space can be limited or costly.

Encouraging participation starts with the experience around the game. A girl is more likely to return when she feels safe, welcomed and respected, understands what to do, and sees people like herself enjoying the sport. Coaches, teachers, parents, older players and volunteers all influence that first impression.

The strongest programmes combine quality coaching with friendship, visible pathways and regular opportunities to play. They avoid treating girls as a separate problem to solve and instead create a sporting culture where girls can learn, compete and lead alongside everyone else.

Make The First Session Feel Welcoming

A beginner-friendly session should offer simple activities before formal games. Players can practise throwing, striking, catching and moving to the wall in pairs, then take part in short challenges. This lets girls experience success early rather than feeling exposed in front of experienced players.

Coaches should explain the basic rules in plain language and demonstrate them rather than relying on lengthy instructions. Small groups and rotating partners help new players meet others without being placed under pressure. A warm welcome by name, clear boundaries and encouragement for effort can matter as much as the drills.

The venue also sends a message. Clean facilities, suitable changing arrangements and access to water are important, particularly for school-aged participants. In Australia, planning around hot weather, public transport and after-school travel can remove practical barriers before they become reasons to stop attending.

Show Girls Where They Can Belong

Girls need to see that Rugby Fives includes different personalities, body types, ages and levels of ability. Promotional material should feature junior players, women who compete regularly, coaches and volunteers. Images of genuine local participants are often more persuasive than polished advertising that feels distant from everyday life.

Role models can visit schools, lead a warm-up or speak briefly about how they started. A university student in Sydney, a club player from Perth or a coach working with a regional Victorian school may connect more effectively than a distant elite athlete. Their stories can show that progress comes through regular practice, teamwork and enjoyment.

The Rugby Fives Association provides a useful connection to competitions, clubs, coaching opportunities and the wider history of the sport. Sharing these pathways helps girls understand that a casual school session can lead to fixtures, tournaments, leadership roles or long-term involvement.

Build Confidence Through Smart Coaching

Good coaching for girls is not about lowering standards. It is about creating a learning environment where players can take risks, make decisions and recover from mistakes. Use positive, specific feedback such as “move earlier to the open side” or “that was a strong choice under pressure” instead of general praise that gives little guidance.

Progressive activities work well. Begin with controlled rallies, then add movement, scoring choices and defensive pressure. Once players understand the essentials, mixed-ability groups can become valuable, provided stronger players are taught to support rallies rather than dominate them.

Coaches should watch participation patterns. If a few confident players take every turn, adjust the rules so everyone receives touches and serves. Rotating captains, partners and positions gives girls opportunities to communicate and make decisions. It also develops leadership rather than keeping beginners permanently dependent on instructions.

Create School And Community Pathways

Schools are an effective starting point because they provide regular access to young people and can introduce Rugby Fives during physical education, lunchtime clubs or school sport programmes. A short block of six to eight sessions is long enough for students to learn the fundamentals and finish with a friendly competition.

Partnerships with schools can be strengthened through teacher resources and simple equipment packs. Teachers do not need to become specialist coaches immediately; they need clear games, safety guidance and a contact who can answer questions. A local club visit can give students a direct link to continued participation after the school unit ends.

Community organisations can widen the reach. Libraries, youth centres, multicultural groups and neighbourhood houses may help promote sessions to families who are not already connected with traditional sporting clubs. In Australia’s multicultural suburbs, offering accessible information and avoiding assumptions about prior sporting experience can make participation feel more open.

Remove Cost, Travel And Uniform Barriers

Families may hesitate when a new activity appears to require fees, travel, uniforms or specialist shoes. Introductory sessions should use existing sports clothing and equipment wherever possible. Loan racquets are unnecessary for Rugby Fives, which makes the sport comparatively simple to access, but participants still need safe footwear and a suitable playing space.

A free trial or low-cost first block can help families assess whether the activity suits them. Schools and clubs can also offer sibling discounts, equipment libraries or community-funded places. These measures are particularly helpful during periods when household budgets are under pressure.

Scheduling matters as well. After-school sessions should account for public transport, school pick-up times and daylight in winter. In Melbourne and Brisbane, weather can affect outdoor activities differently, while indoor court availability may be the key issue in Sydney. A reliable weekly time is more valuable than an ambitious programme that frequently changes.

Make Friendship And Safety Part Of The Programme

Retention usually depends on relationships. Pairing new players with supportive buddies, organising occasional social activities and celebrating team milestones can help girls feel connected beyond the technical session. A friendly doubles format may be less intimidating than immediate individual competition and encourages communication.

Safeguarding needs to be visible and consistent. Coaches should explain behaviour expectations, provide appropriate supervision and make it easy for a participant to raise a concern. Parents and carers should know who is responsible at each session, how collection works and where to find relevant policies.

Competitive opportunities should be staged carefully. Friendly interschool matches can come before larger tournaments, allowing players to learn how fixtures operate without feeling that a single result defines them. Recognition for improvement, teamwork, reliability and courage gives more girls a reason to stay engaged than a narrow focus on winning.

Track Progress And Celebrate Participation

A programme can improve when organisers measure more than attendance. Record how many girls return after the first session, how many progress from school activities to club training, and whether participants feel included. Short, age-appropriate feedback forms can reveal barriers that adults have missed.

Celebration should be regular and genuine. Certificates for personal milestones, a player-of-the-session award based on encouragement, or a display of school competition results can reinforce positive behaviour. Public recognition should never embarrass a shy participant, so offer different ways to acknowledge progress.

Approach	Best Use	Benefit For Girls	Practical Australian Example
School taster sessions	First contact with the sport	Low-pressure discovery	Lunchtime or PE sessions in a Melbourne secondary school
Buddy-based club training	Building confidence and friendships	Support from a familiar partner	Pairing new players at a Sydney community venue
Girls-focused starter block	Supporting beginners together	Shared learning pace and belonging	Six weekly sessions during a Brisbane school term
Mixed social competitions	Developing skills after basics	Wider connections and match experience	A weekend event linking Adelaide schools and clubs

The most effective next step is usually small and regular: arrange a welcoming taster session, identify a trained coach, invite local girls and provide a clear route into continued play. Schools, clubs, parents and volunteers can work together to make that route visible.

Support the growth of Rugby Fives by connecting with the national association, sharing opportunities with local schools and helping create sessions where every girl can learn, compete and enjoy the game.

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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