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

Planning a Junior Rugby Fives Camp in Australia

A junior Rugby Fives holiday camp can give children an energetic introduction to a fast, skilful court sport while helping clubs, schools and families build a lasting connection with the game. The best camps combine structured coaching with plenty of play, social time and simple routines that make young participants feel confident.

Planning needs to begin well before the school holidays. A suitable venue, qualified supervisors, child-safe procedures, equipment, first-aid cover and a realistic budget all influence the experience. In Australia, heat, transport distances and different state requirements also need to be considered from the outset.

The sport is particularly well suited to a camp format because activities can be adapted for beginners and experienced players. Children can learn striking, movement, court positioning and teamwork in short sessions, then apply those skills through games and modified competitions.

Camp model	Suitable group	Strengths	Planning considerations
One-day clinic	Beginners aged 8–14	Affordable and easy to promote	Needs a focused schedule and strong registration process
Three-day holiday camp	Mixed ability groups	Allows skills to develop progressively	Requires meals, staffing and a wet-weather plan
Week-long development camp	Experienced juniors	Supports coaching, matches and personal goals	Higher cost, more administration and greater duty of care
School-club partnership	Local school communities	Provides a ready-made venue and audience	Requires agreement on facilities, insurance and communication

Set the purpose and audience

Start by deciding what the camp should achieve. A beginner program might focus on enjoyment, basic rules and movement, while an advanced camp could include tactical play, match preparation and performance feedback. Avoid trying to serve every ability level in one undivided group; split players by age, confidence and experience whenever numbers allow.

For an Australian holiday program, ages eight to fourteen are a practical range, although separate groups may be needed for primary and secondary students. Consider whether the camp is aimed at existing club members, school students discovering the sport, or families looking for an active alternative to screens during the break. This decision will shape the timetable, language in the advertising and the amount of equipment required.

Set measurable outcomes for each day. For example, children might learn a safe warm-up, demonstrate three types of shot, understand court boundaries and take part in a short round-robin game. These goals help coaches keep sessions purposeful without making the camp feel like a classroom.

Choose a safe and practical venue

A Rugby Fives court is central to the experience, but the surrounding facilities matter just as much. Check the condition of walls, floors, lighting, doors and viewing areas. Young players also need accessible toilets, drinking water, shaded rest areas and a space where a child can wait safely for a parent or authorised collector.

School gyms, independent schools, university facilities and community sports centres may offer useful options in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide. Venue hire is often cheaper during quieter periods, but school holiday demand can raise prices. Ask about court access, storage, cleaning, first aid, after-hours entry and cancellation terms before signing an agreement.

Plan for Australian weather even when the sport is indoors. A hot January day in Brisbane or Adelaide can affect travel, hydration and concentration, while sudden rain may disrupt outdoor arrival activities. Schedule regular drink breaks, keep sessions shorter during extreme heat and provide sunscreen for any outdoor movement between facilities.

Build a child-safe coaching team

Staffing should reflect the age, size and ability of the group rather than relying on one enthusiastic coach. Use a lead coach, assistant coaches and designated welfare or first-aid personnel. A clear ratio makes supervision easier, particularly during registration, meal breaks, toilet visits and collection at the end of the day.

All adults working directly with children should meet the relevant state or territory requirements. Australia does not have one single Working with Children Check system: NSW uses the WWCC, Victoria uses the Working with Children Check, and other jurisdictions have their own arrangements. Confirm the rules where the camp operates, retain records securely and follow current child-safe standards rather than assuming a check alone covers every obligation.

Prepare a code of conduct for coaches, volunteers, players and parents. It should cover respectful language, changing areas, photography, physical contact, private messaging, injury reporting and the process for raising a concern. Get parent or guardian consent, emergency contacts, medical information and permission for photographs before the first session.

The coaching style should be encouraging and active. Demonstrate skills briefly, use plain language and keep queues short. Pairing experienced players with beginners can support inclusion, but every child should receive direct feedback and enough court time to feel part of the camp.

Design a lively daily program

A strong camp timetable alternates physical intensity with learning and recovery. A three-day schedule could begin with introductions, court safety and movement skills, followed by striking games. The second day might develop serving, positioning and simple tactics, while the final day could feature team challenges, modified matches and a presentation.

Keep activities varied. Use target zones, cooperative rallies, reaction games and small-sided contests before moving into formal scoring. Younger players may benefit from lighter or slower balls, shorter matches and simplified rules. Older or more experienced participants can work on anticipation, shot selection and adapting to an opponent.

A typical day might include arrival and registration, a dynamic warm-up, two coaching blocks, a meal break, a skills challenge, match play and a cool-down. Build in spare time because groups move more slowly than expected, especially when collecting water bottles or changing activities. Avoid a packed schedule that leaves no room for injuries, late arrivals or equipment problems.

Food should be simple, nutritious and suitable for the climate. Encourage families to send refillable water bottles and disclose allergies during registration. If the camp supplies snacks or lunches, label ingredients carefully and provide options that meet common dietary needs. Australian families often plan around school-holiday travel, so publish drop-off times, parking details and public transport options clearly.

Promote, budget and evaluate the camp

Price the camp after listing every likely cost: court hire, coaching payments, first aid, insurance, equipment, refreshments, administration, marketing and contingency funds. Compare a single-day fee with a discounted multi-day rate. Local clubs may reduce costs by lending balls, cones and bibs, while schools may help reach families through newsletters and parent portals.

Marketing should show what children will actually do. Use clear images only with permission, describe the age range and ability level, and state whether equipment is supplied. Promote through clubs, schools, community noticeboards and local social channels. Families who are unfamiliar with the sport may respond better to “active holiday court games” alongside the Rugby Fives name and a concise explanation.

Connect the camp to the sport’s wider network by directing families to the Rugby Fives Association for information about competitions, clubs, coaching and the development of the game. This gives new players a pathway beyond the holiday program and helps the camp support participation rather than operate as a one-off event.

Before opening registrations, confirm public liability cover, venue conditions, emergency procedures and refund terms. Keep an attendance register each day, record incidents promptly and make collection procedures unambiguous. After the camp, send a short survey to parents and players, review attendance and injuries, and note which activities produced the most engagement.

A well-run junior camp can become a dependable part of a club or school’s annual calendar. Set a date early, secure a child-safe venue, appoint the right coaching team and publish a practical program that families can trust. Then open registrations with a clear promise: active days, welcoming instruction and a positive first step into Rugby Fives.

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

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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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