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

Rugby Fives for Scouts and Guides in Australia

Rugby Fives is a fast, adaptable wall game that suits youth groups looking for an active session with simple equipment. Players use their hands to strike a ball against the front wall, keep rallies alive and develop positioning, reaction speed and teamwork. Because it is usually played indoors, the sport can work well in Australian cities where hot afternoons, wet weekends or limited outdoor space affect programme planning.

For Scouts and Guides, the activity can be introduced as a short skills session, a patrol challenge or a pathway towards regular fixtures. A suitable launch does not require every participant to be an experienced athlete. With clear boundaries, small-sided games and inclusive scoring, a leader can help beginners enjoy the sport while giving confident players room to develop.

Group need	Rugby Fives response	Practical Australian option
Low-cost activity	Balls, court shoes and access to a suitable wall are usually enough	Use a school, club or community-sport venue
Mixed abilities	Rallies and rules can be adjusted for beginners	Pair experienced players with new participants
Indoor programme	The game avoids heat, rain and poor ground conditions	Schedule sessions after school or on wet-weather days
Team development	Players communicate, rotate and solve problems together	Run patrol-based challenges or relay formats
Progression	Skills can lead to social games, tournaments and competitions	Connect with local clubs or the national association

Start with a safe and simple session

A first session should feel like a game rather than a formal coaching clinic. Begin by explaining the court, the front wall and the objective: strike the ball so that the next player cannot return it legally. Demonstrate a controlled underarm hit, how to watch the ball and where to stand after playing a shot. Keep the opening explanation short, then let participants try.

Divide the group into pairs or small stations. One station might involve bouncing and catching, another controlled strikes against the wall, and a third a cooperative rally where the aim is to reach five or ten hits. Soft or slower balls can help younger Scouts and Guides manage the pace. If the venue has several walls, rotate groups every few minutes so nobody spends long periods waiting.

Check the playing surface before the activity begins. Remove bags and loose equipment, confirm that the wall is suitable, and establish a clear space behind and beside each court. Participants should wear enclosed athletic shoes, tie back long hair and follow instructions about moving away from a shot. A first-aid kit, drinking water and a clear emergency procedure should be available.

Adapt the game for Australian youth groups

Scouting and Guiding programmes often include a wide age range, different confidence levels and varied physical abilities. Rugby Fives can accommodate this by changing the ball, rally length, court area or scoring system. A beginner may play with one bounce allowed, while an advanced player can use stricter rules. A seated or reduced-movement version can also focus on accurate striking and communication.

Australian weather makes an indoor option especially useful. A troop in Brisbane may need a cool venue during humid summer evenings, while a group in Melbourne may value an activity that can continue during winter rain. In Sydney, Perth or Adelaide, a school hall or community recreation centre can provide a dependable space close to public transport and regular weekend activities.

Avoid presenting the session as a test of sporting ability. Use cooperative targets, such as keeping a rally going for 20 contacts, then offer competitive games for those who want them. Award recognition for encouragement, safe movement, clever positioning and consistent effort. This approach gives less confident members a genuine role and supports the inclusive values of youth organisations.

Work with schools, clubs and local venues

The easiest venue may be a school already connected with the Scout or Guide group. Many schools have suitable halls, covered play areas or traditional Fives courts, although the organiser should obtain permission and check the surface, lighting and access arrangements. A local independent school, university or racquets club may also welcome a trial session during a quiet period.

A structured venue conversation should cover dates, supervision, insurance, equipment storage, cleaning and noise. It is useful to offer a short pilot rather than request a full season immediately. After the first visit, record attendance, participant feedback and any practical issues. That evidence can support a request for more sessions or a partnership with a nearby Rugby Fives club.

Leaders planning a school-based progression can use this school league guide to consider fixtures, team organisation and ongoing participation. A youth group does not need to create a formal league straight away, but understanding how regular competition works helps shape a sensible next step.

Build a progressive programme

A four-session block gives participants enough time to learn without making the activity feel compulsory. The first meeting can cover striking, movement and court awareness. The second can add serving and returning. The third can introduce doubles communication and simple tactics. The final session can use a festival format with short matches, skills stations and team awards.

A consistent session pattern helps leaders manage mixed experience levels:

Five minutes for welcome, safety and demonstrations
Ten minutes of movement and ball-control activities
Fifteen minutes of cooperative rallies
Twenty minutes of modified games
Five minutes for reflection, equipment checks and sign-off

Progress can be recorded through simple achievements rather than complicated rankings. Participants might earn recognition for completing a controlled serve, returning three consecutive shots or helping a partner understand a rule. Older Scouts and Guides can take responsibility as scorekeepers, warm-up leaders or equipment marshals under adult supervision.

If enthusiasm grows, arrange an inter-group afternoon with another local unit. Keep matches short and allow teams to rotate frequently. A festival is often more welcoming than a high-pressure championship, especially when most participants are new. The Rugby Fives Association can provide a connection to clubs, coaches, competitions and wider development opportunities.

Plan safeguarding, inclusion and sustainability

Australian youth organisations need to follow their own child-protection procedures as well as the requirements of the venue and relevant state or territory authorities. Working with Children Checks are administered differently across jurisdictions, so leaders should confirm the rules applying in their location. For example, requirements and terminology can differ between New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia. Adult-to-child supervision, sign-in procedures, photography permissions and incident reporting should be agreed before the session.

The Australian Child Safe Standards provide a useful reference point for creating an environment where children are listened to, treated fairly and protected from harm. Leaders should explain behaviour expectations in age-appropriate language and make it easy for participants to report discomfort or injury. Venue insurance, organisational approval and first-aid arrangements should also be checked rather than assumed.

Inclusion starts with practical choices. Offer different ball speeds, allow additional bounces where appropriate and make court boundaries visible. Consider sensory needs, mobility requirements, cultural expectations and participants who are nervous about fast-moving balls. A quiet practice station can help someone build confidence before joining a rally.

Equipment can remain affordable by starting with a small supply of suitable balls, cones, bibs and basic protective items. In the Australian community-sport market, transport and venue hire may cost more than the playing equipment, so shared use with a school, club or council facility can make the programme sustainable. Store gear in a labelled kit and appoint participants to help with setup and pack-down.

A well-run first session can lead to regular indoor activity, new friendships and a clear sporting pathway. Leaders can begin with one wall, a few balls and a carefully supervised trial, then build towards inter-group festivals or club coaching as interest develops. To arrange support, venue connections or a suitable progression for your group, contact the Rugby Fives Association and plan a session that gets young people moving, collaborating and enjoying 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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