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 Run a Rugby Fives Coaching Clinic for Volunteers

Rugby Fives gives Australian clubs, schools and community organisations a practical way to introduce fast, open rugby to a wide range of players. A well-designed volunteer clinic can turn that interest into regular participation by giving helpers the confidence to lead safe, engaging sessions and support players beyond their first visit.

The strongest clinic is specific, inclusive and easy to repeat. It teaches a manageable set of coaching and organisational skills rather than attempting to cover every rule or tactic. It also assigns clear responsibilities, protects children and adults, and ends with a plan for the next game or practice.

Define the purpose and choose the right participants

Start by deciding whether the clinic is introducing Rugby Fives, preparing volunteers to run regular sessions or addressing a particular skills gap. A 90-minute event with 12 to 20 volunteers is usually easier to manage than a large course. New helpers need consistent warm-ups, simple passing and support drills, safe contact decisions and a short game that lets them practise what they have just taught.

Match the content to your volunteers’ experience. First-time helpers may need more time on organisation and explanation, while experienced coaches can contribute specialist knowledge. If children will attend, include safeguarding, child protection, age-appropriate instruction and suitable adult-to-child ratios in the programme rather than treating them as optional additions.

Build a simple agenda with measurable outcomes. Participants should leave knowing how to prepare a session, demonstrate a basic skill, give useful feedback and respond appropriately to an injury. Current Rugby Fives Association materials can support the format and coaching ideas, while Australian clubs should check Rugby Australia and the relevant state union for local competition requirements.

Select a venue that fits Australian routines

Use an affiliated rugby club, council facility or school gym as the home of the clinic. These venues often provide pitches, changing rooms, parking and basic training equipment. Clubs in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra have established rugby networks, while regional associations may have fewer nearby options. Choose a site with good public transport or ample parking, and allow extra travel time for volunteers coming from smaller towns or outer suburbs.

Saturday mornings are often the most popular time for community sport, but they can clash with club fixtures, junior competitions and family commitments. Check school term dates, public holidays and competing events before confirming the date. During hot weather, provide shade, drinking water and sunscreen, and prepare an indoor or shortened alternative. In southern cities, be ready for sudden rain and cool conditions by keeping warm-up plans flexible.

Rugby Fives occupies a smaller segment of the Australian sports market than rugby union, rugby league or touch rugby. Standard rugby balls, cones and training bibs are available from local sports stores, but specialist equipment may be harder to source. Borrowing from an established club or hiring basic gear can keep costs down. It is also worth explaining the format clearly, as volunteers may know traditional rugby but not Rugby Fives’ shorter matches and quicker style of play.

Protect players and meet local requirements

Complete a written risk assessment before advertising the clinic. Identify uneven ground, collisions, heat exposure, hydration risks, equipment hazards and emergency access. The assessment should name the person responsible for each control and record the actions taken. In New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia, workplace health and safety laws apply to the activity, so hosts should consult SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe Victoria, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland or SafeWork SA as appropriate.

Safeguarding requirements differ between states and territories, particularly when the clinic involves children. Depending on the roles and local rules, volunteers may need a Working with Children check, supervision clearance, police checks or evidence of current training. Obtain parental consent, collect relevant medical information and establish clear procedures for photography, bathroom access, complaints and suspected harm. Keep the registration and incident records securely, with access limited to authorised personnel.

Confirm that public liability insurance covers the venue, the activity and volunteer coaches. Many Australian hirers require evidence before access is granted. Appoint a first aider and prepare an emergency action plan containing site addresses, nearest medical facilities, emergency contacts and the method used to call assistance. Have an incident-reporting form ready so volunteers can record what happened without relying on memory.

Prepare volunteers for defined roles

Give every person a clear function. A lead coach can explain the session, while assistants supervise small groups, an emergency lead monitors welfare, a match official manages play and a registration volunteer records attendance. Equipment and refreshment duties can be combined where numbers are small. Role cards with arrival times, key tasks and the name of the coordinator prevent volunteers from duplicating work or leaving essential duties uncovered.

Brief volunteers on the Rugby Fives format, safeguarding expectations and the limits of their responsibilities. The clinic should support formal coach development without presenting a short session as a substitute for accreditation or the minimum qualifications required by the relevant competition. Use the current rulebook to confirm playing numbers, substitution provisions, scoring and contact requirements rather than relying on memories of another rugby code.

Create an inclusive learning environment. Explain drills through demonstration and plain language, offer modified versions for different ages and abilities, and allow players to progress at their own pace. A club WhatsApp group may be the quickest way to share the venue, equipment list and final instructions, but send the same information by email or SMS so volunteers without the app are not excluded.

Build drills around Rugby Fives

Rugby Fives commonly features 15 players a side, short halves and an emphasis on quick transitions. That makes accurate support, communication and decision-making especially valuable. Begin with a dynamic warm-up, then progress from passing and running lines to small-sided games. Volunteers should understand that Rugby Fives differs from rugby sevens and full-length union, while still checking local competitions for any modified rules used by the host club.

Organise the technical work around repeatable progressions. Start with stationary passing, add defensive pressure and finish with players moving into space. Use tags or touch contact when full contact is unsuitable, and make the defensive decision more important than physical intensity. Keep queues short by using several small groups, numbered players or conditional games that give every participant meaningful decisions.

A 60 to 90-minute practice could contain a 15-minute warm-up, 20 minutes of skill work, 20 minutes of small-sided play and a 15-minute debrief. Build in water breaks, particularly during the Australian summer, and avoid adding complex tactics simply to fill the session. Ask each volunteer to lead one short activity and observe another so that coaching practice happens throughout the morning.

Run a smooth clinic day

Prepare an equipment checklist that includes suitable balls, cones, bibs, whistles, score sheets, clipboards, water containers, cups, ice packs, sun protection and a first-aid kit. Inspect the playing area, goals and surrounding spaces before volunteers arrive. Mark boundaries clearly and remove obstacles. If two groups are using the space, appoint separate session leads and establish a simple system for changing venues or sharing the field.

Registration should capture contact details, emergency information and any accessibility or medical needs. Give participants a schedule showing warm-up, demonstrations, practice games and breaks. Keep informal seating or a shaded spectator area away from active play. If volunteers provide food, account for allergies and follow the applicable state food-handling requirements; people who are unwell should not handle refreshments.

Give volunteers scheduled breaks and rotate them between coaching, observing and administration. This prevents fatigue and allows each person to practise different skills. Use an observation sheet with prompts such as “clear explanation”, “safe positioning”, “positive feedback” and “appropriate challenge”. Australian community sessions often involve last-minute volunteer changes, so keep spare bibs, printed drills and a list of backup contacts available.

Deliver, evaluate and build continuity

A practical run sheet keeps the event focused. Begin with registration, a five-minute safety briefing and a short explanation of Rugby Fives. Follow with a demonstration-led skills workshop, participant practice, a small-sided game and a group reflection. Finish by agreeing on the volunteer’s next action, such as leading a warm-up at the next club night or supporting a school session with a partner.

Collect simple feedback at the end. Ask volunteers to rate their confidence, identify one skill they can use immediately and name any part of the clinic that needed more explanation. Observation notes and attendance records can reveal whether the group had enough equipment, time or coaching support. Use these findings to adjust the next event and recognise volunteers who are ready to take greater responsibility.

Connect the clinic to the wider pathway by inviting players, families and local coaches to a follow-up session. Share suitable practice resources, register club fixtures and historical results through the relevant competition system, and give promising volunteers access to further development opportunities. Choose the date, reserve the pitch, recruit a small group of helpers and publish the details through club notices, school newsletters and community sport channels. A well-run clinic can become the foundation of a lasting Rugby Fives programme for your club or school.

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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

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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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