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 take up Rugby Fives

Rugby Fives gives girls a compact, fast-moving way into rugby, with smaller teams and simplified game structures that can make a first session feel manageable. It also offers a potential route from casual school play to organised club competition, provided the welcome is practical and the development pathway is visible.

Many girls are already comfortable with running, fitness and team sports, yet they may hesitate because Rugby Fives feels unfamiliar or because they cannot see a place for themselves. Confidence, role models and a welcoming first experience often matter more than a lengthy promotional campaign.

Encouragement should invite rather than pressure. Give girls opportunities to try the sport, watch local players, meet coaches and choose a level of involvement that suits them. Free tasters, informal games and peer-led sessions can reduce the cost, transport and time barriers that shape participation.

In Australia, that means fitting around school pickup, Saturday sport and household commitments. Clubs in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide can use local ovals, school facilities and twilight training to make Rugby Fives accessible while accommodating state child-safety requirements and competition from other popular sports.

Create a welcome girls can recognise

Start with the factors that influence participation: belonging, friendship, accessible facilities and the chance to learn without embarrassment. Ask girls to help design a trial session, choose suitable music and suggest friendly drills. Giving them a voice makes the event feel connected to their interests rather than imposed by adults.

Use positive, specific language. Instead of describing Rugby Fives as physically demanding or competitive, highlight quick games, teamwork and the opportunity to improve passing, running and decision-making. Representation also matters, so invite women coaches, players and referees to speak about their experiences. Visible female role models can challenge the assumption that rugby is primarily a male activity.

Australian sports markets are crowded, especially in Melbourne and Sydney, where rugby union, rugby league, touch, tag, AFL and netball already compete for young athletes’ time. Rugby Fives can stand apart through smaller-sided games, fast sessions and a welcoming pathway into club rugby. Open training, equipment demonstrations and informal exhibitions give families a low-pressure way to understand what the sport involves.

Build confidence through achievable progression

Confidence grows when girls experience useful progress. Begin with passing, catching, support runs and simple attacking decisions, then place those skills into small-sided games. Offer clear coaching points, praise improvement and adjust the challenge so that beginners contribute without being overloaded.

Girls-only sessions can provide a comfortable starting point without becoming a closed door. They can be followed by open training, mixedAbility events or club fixtures that broaden social connections. Coaches should also avoid labelling participants as skilled or unskilled; use individual development goals that recognise communication, fitness, resilience and tactical awareness as valuable abilities.

Friendly matches and festivals create milestones without making selection the focus. The Rugby Fives Association, the UK national governing body and registered charity, demonstrates how school outreach, coaching and structured competition can reinforce one another. Australian clubs can adapt that approach by linking taster sessions to regular training, local tournaments and age-appropriate progression pathways.

Work through schools, clubs and community partners

Schools provide an accessible route to a first trial, especially when teachers, young players and coaches model fair play and respect. Although written for yoga settings, a guide to healthy educator relationships offers transferable reminders about boundaries, communication and trust that youth-sport programmes can apply.

Clubs should support schools rather than expecting them to handle recruitment alone. A school liaison, volunteer parent or community coach can explain the format, organise equipment and arrange follow-up sessions. The Rugby Fives Association’s coaching resources and school programmes offer useful principles, while local clubs can adapt them to Australian facilities, competition structures and safeguarding policies.

Weather planning is part of making participation inclusive. Hot summers in Brisbane and Perth make shade, sunscreen, drinking water and twilight sessions important, while Melbourne and Sydney need reliable wet-weather alternatives. Shared kit, public-transport-friendly venues and equipment available through schools can remove practical obstacles for families with limited time or resources.

Volunteer screening and safe practice are essential. In Victoria, youth organisations must comply with the Working with Children Act 1995 and related volunteer requirements; New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia have their own child-safety and clearance systems. Coaches should be trained in safeguarding, first aid, inclusive practice and positive behaviour management, with each organisation confirming current obligations through its state regulator.

Compare the main participation routes

There is no single route into Rugby Fives that suits every girl. Some will prefer a school taster, while others feel more comfortable joining a community club with friends. Offering several connected options helps participation become a choice rather than a test of commitment.

Local knowledge should guide delivery. Check whether transport, equipment costs and session timing are genuine barriers, then involve players and families in choosing suitable locations and formats. A useful route should offer a first contact, a regular session and a clear next step for anyone who wants to continue.

Participation route	Main benefit	Barrier it reduces	Practical Australian model
School taster	Introduces Rugby Fives through an existing trusted setting	Lack of familiarity with clubs	Free after-school session at a Melbourne or Brisbane school
Girls-only community club	Builds confidence and friendships	Anxiety about joining a mixed or unfamiliar group	Tuesday twilight training on a local council oval
School-club partnership	Connects initial interest with regular participation	The gap between school activities and club membership	Shared coach, equipment and transition night
Flexible community outreach	Reaches families outside established teams	Transport, cost and scheduling barriers	Weekend festival with equipment loans and beginner clinics

Keep girls playing and growing

Encouraging participation is only the starting point; retention depends on meaningful progression and belonging. Invite girls to give feedback on coaching, facilities and competition, and act on recurring concerns. Track whether beginners return, move into age-related teams and take on volunteering or leadership roles. Recognition and responsibility often sustain interest as skills develop.

A formal pathway adds credibility to community sessions. The Rugby Fives Association’s fixtures, rankings, results and historical records show how consistent competition and transparent standards can support long-term involvement. Australian organisers can use the same guiding principles to connect local clubs, schools, coaches and volunteers while preserving inclusive participation.

This week, bring one school, one club and one community partner together to run a free girls’ Rugby Fives taster, publish clear session details, and arrange follow-up club nights for players who want to continue.

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.

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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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