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 host a Rugby Fives referee training course

A well-run Rugby Fives referee training course gives officials the knowledge, confidence and practical judgement needed to manage matches fairly. It should cover the laws of the game, court procedures, player safety, communication and the decisions that are difficult to make at speed.

For an Australian club, school or community programme, the best course combines clear teaching with plenty of time on court. A session in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Adelaide may need to work around school terms, indoor facility availability and long travel distances, so careful planning matters as much as the content itself.

Define the course purpose and audience

Begin by deciding whether the course is for complete beginners, current players moving into officiating, school staff, or experienced referees seeking a refresher. These groups need different levels of explanation. New officials may require a full overview of court markings, serving procedures and scoring, while experienced candidates may benefit from scenario work and assessment.

Set measurable outcomes before booking the venue. By the end of the day, participants should be able to prepare a court, explain the scoring system, identify legal and illegal play, manage interruptions, record a result and communicate decisions calmly. If the course leads to formal accreditation, publish the assessment requirements in advance.

It is useful to cap attendance at a level that allows everyone to practise. One trainer for eight to twelve participants usually provides enough individual feedback during practical exercises. Larger groups can be split between classroom and court activities, with an assistant referee or coach supervising each station.

Choose the venue and prepare equipment

An indoor court is the safest and most reliable option in Australia. Summer heat in Brisbane, winter rain in Hobart and sudden weather changes around Melbourne can disrupt outdoor plans, while a covered school gym or university facility offers consistent playing conditions. Check lighting, wall visibility, floor grip, ventilation and access to toilets and drinking water.

The venue should have enough space for a teaching area as well as an active court. Arrange chairs, a whiteboard or screen, printed laws, score sheets, whistles, stopwatches and bibs. A first-aid kit, ice packs and an emergency contact list should be immediately available. Confirm whether the facility requires public liability documentation or a nominated first-aid officer.

If participants are under 18, complete the relevant child-safety checks and safeguarding procedures for the state or territory. A club working with school-aged players in New South Wales may need different documentation from a programme in Victoria or Queensland. Include these requirements in the registration process rather than dealing with them on the morning of the course.

Build a clear rules and officiating curriculum

Start with the structure of a match. Explain court dimensions, player positions, service order, scoring, winning margins and the duties of the referee before, during and after play. Use diagrams and short demonstrations so that participants can connect the written laws with what they see on court.

The core of the course should focus on interference, obstruction, carries, double hits, illegal serves and situations where the ball becomes unplayable. Referees must understand the difference between an accidental occurrence, a legal recovery and conduct that affects an opponent’s opportunity to play the ball. Teach the relevant penalty or replay procedure for each situation, using consistent terminology.

Include match administration as a separate topic. Officials should practise checking player names, confirming the score, controlling warm-up time, recording results and reporting disputes. A referee is responsible for the flow of the fixture, so clear announcements and accurate records are as important as whistle decisions.

Use video or live demonstrations wherever possible. Pause a rally immediately before a decision, ask trainees to identify what they saw and then explain the correct response. This method is particularly effective when players react quickly and several actions happen close together.

Train judgement, communication and composure

Technical knowledge is only part of effective refereeing. Officials need to make decisions promptly without becoming argumentative or distracted. Use role-play to recreate common situations: a player questions a call, a spectator comments from the gallery, a score is disputed, or both players appeal for the same decision.

Teach referees to use short, neutral language. A clear call, a visible signal and a brief explanation are usually more effective than a long debate. The referee should avoid sarcasm, personal criticism and unnecessary conversation during a rally. Coaches and players should know when a decision can be clarified and when play must continue.

Mental resilience deserves practical attention. Referees can lose confidence after a disputed call, just as players can struggle to recover after conceding several points. A discussion of comeback psychology can help officials recognise momentum shifts without allowing emotion to influence their judgement.

Ask trainees to keep a simple decision log during practice matches. They can note calls they found difficult, how they communicated them and whether their position gave them a good view. This encourages reflection and helps the trainer identify patterns that need further work.

Make the practical session realistic

A course should move from controlled drills to complete match simulations. Start with straightforward rallies so participants can practise calling the score and identifying service faults. Then add pressure through fast exchanges, close scores, disputed decisions and changes of player position.

Rotate every trainee through several roles: referee, player, scorer and observer. The observer can use a checklist covering positioning, voice, signals, timing and accuracy. After each short match, allow a structured feedback period. Begin with what worked well, identify one or two priorities and give the referee another opportunity to apply the advice.

Australian programmes can make scenarios locally relevant. A school fixture may have limited time between classes, a club tournament may use shared courts, and a regional competition may rely on volunteers who officiate several matches in one day. Include procedures for late arrivals, missing equipment, noisy multi-court venues and delays caused by transport or facility access.

If the course is held during a Saturday club competition, avoid turning real players into an uncontrolled test environment. Explain to teams that training officials are being assessed, appoint a qualified supervisor and intervene if safety or match integrity is affected.

Assess candidates and support them afterwards

Assessment should measure both law knowledge and practical performance. A short written or verbal test can cover scoring, faults, safety and match administration. The practical assessment should involve a live match or realistic simulation, with clear pass criteria supplied beforehand.

A useful marking framework includes accuracy of decisions, positioning, confidence, communication, impartiality and control of the match. Not every mistake should result in failure. The trainer should distinguish between an isolated error and a repeated misunderstanding of a fundamental law. Candidates who need more experience can receive targeted practice and a reassessment date.

After the course, create a pathway into regular officiating. Pair new referees with experienced officials at club fixtures, school carnivals or state tournaments. A shared online group can distribute appointments, rule updates and reminders about reporting results. This is especially helpful in Australia, where players may be spread across metropolitan clubs and smaller regional communities.

Keep records of attendance, assessment outcomes and renewal dates. A simple register helps the association identify where more courses are needed and ensures that promising officials are not lost after their first training day. Invite feedback from participants, but review it alongside match observations and organiser reports.

Course element	Recommended approach	Evidence of readiness
Rules knowledge	Guided lesson, diagrams and scenario questions	Explains scoring, faults and restarts accurately
Court procedures	Demonstration and repeated practice	Prepares the court and controls match timing
Decision-making	Video clips and live match simulations	Makes consistent calls under pressure
Communication	Role-play with players and spectators	Uses clear, neutral language
Safety	First-aid briefing and risk review	Responds appropriately to injury or hazards
Assessment	Written check plus practical observation	Meets published pass standards
Follow-up	Mentoring and supervised fixtures	Officiates confidently in competition

A strong referee course is an investment in the whole Rugby Fives community. Clubs, schools and regional organisers can use the same framework while adjusting the timetable, venue and examples to suit their local players. The Rugby Fives Association can help connect organisers with rules, fixtures, experienced officials and development opportunities.

Plan the next course with a clear purpose, a safe venue and enough court time for every participant to practise. Register your officials, appoint experienced mentors and build a regular pathway from training into real matches so that more Australian players can enjoy well-managed Rugby Fives.

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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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