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

Introducing rugby fives to your youth club

Rugby fives brings the passing, running and decision-making of rugby union into a compact five-a-side game. For an Australian youth club, it offers younger players, mixed-ability groups and busy community venues a practical way to experience rugby without needing a full XV squad.

Although the Rugby Fives Association is the United Kingdom’s national governing body and a registered charity, its coaching, school-programme and community-outreach material provides a useful reference. An Australian launch should work with Rugby Australia, the relevant state union, local councils and established clubs rather than create a separate governing structure.

Understand the five-a-side format

Rugby fives is played with five players per side in a smaller area than full rugby. Depending on the rules, games may use tags, touch or tackle, so a youth introduction can begin with modified contact and focus on running, passing, support and spacing. The compact format creates more involvement for every participant.

The aim is not to recreate every senior rule. Coaches can adjust the ball, pitch, scoring and game length for age and ability, following guidance from the relevant governing body. This makes rugby fives useful for players who need more touches, clearer decision-making and a game that keeps pace with school-age attention spans.

Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra have strong rugby traditions, which means many clubs already understand lineouts, scrums or the value of shared drills. Even so, explain the simpler five-a-side version clearly and avoid assuming that families know how it differs from touch rugby or tag football.

Shape a club-friendly offer

Build the offer around social success: fast games, small teams, inexpensive equipment and a clear reason to return. A taster can promise each child several passes, meaningful running and an enjoyable team moment, regardless of whether the child is selected for a representative squad.

A strong opening event is a 60-minute skills session followed by short games. Give it an Australian identity, such as a “five-a-side skills sesh”, without making the rules sound complicated. Emphasise that newcomers can have a go and that the club expects fair play as well as effort.

Use familiar recruitment channels: school newsletters, club social media pages, local community groups and direct messages to families. A partnership with a primary school, local rugby club or council recreation program can reach families who would not otherwise search for a new sport.

Make safety and inclusion central

Appoint a lead coordinator and check state requirements for working with children, consent, background screening, insurance and facility use. Brief every helper on supervision, hydration, concussion response and safe contact. Keep a first-aid kit, water and shade available, and ensure a trained first aider is present rather than juggling another role.

Clubs that pair sport with broader wellbeing can look to resources such as inclusive ethics education when discussing consent, respect and individual boundaries. Turn those values into a short player agreement covering tags, language, inclusion and the right to opt out of contact.

A fair go should be visible in the design, not just the wording. Offer modified games and equipment for different abilities, include girls and boys together where appropriate, and welcome players from varied cultural backgrounds. Do not separate beginners into a “weak” group or let competitive adults create an atmosphere that makes younger players withdraw.

Compare the delivery options

Choose the model around the venue, age group and amount of adult support available. A one-off event may create interest, while a short series gives players enough repetition to learn the game.

Delivery model	Best fit	Typical format	Main requirement
School taster	Junior classes or transition programmes	Two 45-minute sessions	Teacher support and approved safeguarding
Club skills session	Existing youth club night	60 minutes of drills and games	Volunteer coaches and basic equipment
Holiday programme	School holidays or community camps	Several daily sessions	Wet-weather cover and clear attendance plans
Social league	Players ready for regular fixtures	Weekly short matches	Consistent venues, officials and insurance

A school taster offers the widest reach and allows children to sample the format before committing. A club session suits a club trying the activity without creating a full competition, while a holiday programme can build intensity in a controlled setting.

For a league, define age bands, match length, scoring, substitutions and the rule set before fixtures are announced. The Rugby Fives Association’s guidance on fixtures, results, rankings and historical records can help with structure, but Australian administration should align with the state union and local competition requirements.

Organise people, equipment and venues

Start with age-appropriate rugby balls, tag vests, cones, bibs and a whistle. Schools and local clubs may already hold suitable stock, so borrowing equipment keeps the first event affordable. Set a modest participation fee after checking council recreation grants and club sponsorship, and make a simple kit list before registrations close.

Volunteer-run clubs need a small, visible team: one lead coach, two helpers, a first aider and an organiser who handles registrations and venue questions. Give each adult one job and a short session card. In regional areas of New South Wales or Western Australia, changing travel plans can affect attendance, so keep the launch date flexible and combine nearby schools where practical.

Book a council oval, school field or approved club venue with enough run-off space and safe access for families. Melbourne’s wet winters, Canberra’s frosty mornings and hot summer conditions in Sydney and Perth each call for contingency planning. Use an indoor hall for skills work when needed, and reschedule full games if the surface is unsafe.

Design sessions players want to repeat

A 60-minute session can use 10 minutes for movement and passing, 15 minutes for support and direction, 25 minutes for small-sided games, and 10 minutes for a player review. Keep the explanation brief, demonstrate the activity and let players practise. Rotate teams often so nobody waits and everyone gets multiple possessions.

Build games in levels. Beginners can pass around a cone before moving at speed, then progress to walk-through tags and full-speed tag rugby. Touch or tackle rules need specific coaching and age-appropriate supervision; do not add contact simply because the group seems confident. Use enthusiastic helpers to organise teams, but keep sideline instructions calm and consistent.

Ask players which game gave them the most involvement and what felt confusing. Record attendance and basic feedback, then change one or two features for the next session. Avoid public rankings at the introductory stage, and celebrate passing, support and fair play so the culture matches the promise on the flyer.

Build a pathway and bring families with you

Turn the taster into a simple pathway: a four-week skills lead-in, a six-week social league and a bridge into local rugby or regular club sessions. Publish fixtures, results and player information in one place, and nominate a club contact for families. If numbers grow, coordinate with the state union rather than creating overlapping competitions.

Older players can help as ambassadors, younger siblings can attend family sessions, and volunteers can support both. Recognise the people who make the programme work, from first-aid cover to equipment transport. The Rugby Fives Association’s model of connecting players, schools, clubs, coaches and volunteers is relevant, even though local delivery will depend on Australian partnerships.

Choose one age group, one non-contact session, one local partner and one date. Confirm the venue, insurance, equipment, consents and lead volunteers, then promote it through school and club channels. Invite families to watch, join the next session and help the first cohort become a regular team. Make the call, set the date and give every player a fair go to have a go.

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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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