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 Plan a Rugby Fives Charity Exhibition Match

Rugby Fives is a quick, non-contact form of rugby that suits schools, clubs and mixed-ability teams. A charity exhibition match can showcase its fast passing, simple scoring and short playing format while bringing players, families and supporters together for a worthwhile cause.

The strongest event has one promise: every ticket, sponsorship or donation visibly supports a defined need. That might be equipment for a youth squad, an accessible playing programme, travel bursaries for regional competitors or support for a local community partner. Keep the beneficiary and the target amount on every public message.

For Australian organisers, local knowledge matters. A suburban Sydney or Melbourne rugby club, a school oval and a council-run community venue each offer different facilities, costs and volunteer bases. Summer heat, school holidays, public holidays and wet-weather cancellations can reshape the schedule, so build those factors into the plan early.

A good working plan links the fundraising target to the match format, venue, officials, volunteers and promotion. Assign one owner to each promise, use a shared timeline and rehearse the handover between players, coaches and fundraisers. The aim is a smooth spectacle that makes donating easy and leaves every participant proud of their contribution.

Choose one clear charitable outcome

Begin with the beneficiary, not the fixture. Confirm that the chosen organisation can legally receive the proceeds and agree in writing how money will be collected, restricted, reported and distributed. For a cross-border event, check Australian fundraising, tax and insurance requirements alongside the charity’s home-country duties. If the Rugby Fives Association is organising, use its charity status and governance processes properly; if another charity leads, keep every decision within that partner’s authority.

Set a measurable target and decide what happens if attendance falls short. For an Australian event, publish one dollar target, the donation channels and the date supporters can expect an update. A $5,000 target might fund twenty replacement balls and a year of junior coaching fees, while venue fees, event costs and insurance should be budgeted separately.

Select the venue and local partners

Visit the site at the intended match time, not merely on a sunny afternoon. Check field dimensions, lighting, change rooms, public toilets, accessible parking, viewing space, first-aid access and power for a scoreboard or sound system. In Melbourne or Sydney, a twilight slot may be attractive but can clash with work traffic and junior sport. In regional areas, travel distances may require a shuttle service or detailed car-park arrangements.

Ask a local rugby club, school or community organisation to host, then identify who controls the land and who must provide insurance. A council permit, liquor licence, food-safety approval and noise curfew may sit alongside the venue agreement. Written confirmation prevents the Australian habit of “we’ll sort it out at the gate” from becoming an expensive day off.

Design an inclusive match format

Confirm the playing rules, officials and age requirements with the organiser, and check safeguarding requirements wherever children are involved. The Rugby Fives Association is the UK national governing body and registered charity; overseas clubs can seek guidance on fixture conventions, coaching and school-programme ideas through contact the association, while Australian clubs should also follow local governing-body and school policies.

Keep the spectacle familiar, but make participation easy for different ages and abilities. Provide clear team sheets, a short match schedule, accessible changing facilities and suitable options for players who are new to the game. Invite junior, senior, mixed and community teams to compete in separate games if differences in age or experience make a shared fixture unsuitable.

Host option	Strongest fit	Practical advantage	Main watch-out
School campus	Student teams and family spectators	Existing players, volunteers and wet-weather rooms	Safeguarding, school approval and noise limits
Suburban rugby club	Senior, mixed and invited teams	Change rooms, floodlights and established club culture	Ground hire, member priorities and licensed-area rules
Council community venue	Cross-generational festivals and inclusive play	Flexible public access and possible transport links	Portable amenities, weather cover and uncertain spectator draw

Whichever base you choose, publish the playing order, warm-up time and dress code in the final programme. Arrange a shared training session beforehand, appoint a results recorder to capture scores and team sheets, and give spectators a simple match guide that explains the format without specialist terminology.

Build a safe match-day operation

Appoint a match manager, referee, first-aid lead, child-safety lead and volunteer coordinator, then brief everyone before gates open. Provide water, shade and an Australian-appropriate heat plan; check the forecast and local fire-ban notices, particularly for January events. Rugby Fives removes the tackle element, but ankle, finger and head injuries remain possible, so record every incident and responsible follow-up.

Prepare wet-weather and heat alternatives before advertising a single venue. In Australian summer, an indoor hall may preserve the fixture but limit field dimensions, while a later start may help with temperature and family work schedules. Tell ticket holders about footwear, bring a spare set of boots, and ensure the charity’s emergency contact and insurer are visible on the event sheet.

Promote a community event

Build the campaign around local networks rather than a single national launch. Approach the host club, nearby schools, employers, community groups and local businesses; ask each partner to nominate one contact who can share the event. In Australia, a friendly tone works well: “Big day for the Boro,” “Teams wanted” and “Grab a seat” sound natural, while the essential details remain clear.

Use a registration page that shows the cause, match time, cost, accessibility, dress code and donation method. Offer QR-code and card payments for the fundraising total, plus a controlled cash option if some supporters need it. Share short player clips, referee explainers and sponsor posts on social media, and place a simple poster in clubrooms, libraries, cafés and council noticeboards.

Control costs and raise sponsorship

Prepare a one-page budget with venue hire, officials, equipment, insurance, permits, catering, publicity, accessible services and contingency. Seek a venue waiver or community grant before setting ticket prices. Sponsors can cover a named cost such as referee fees or a livestream, freeing more event income for the beneficiary; keep the distinction between gross receipts and net proceeds obvious.

Agree sponsorship benefits in writing and avoid promising naming rights that the venue or charity cannot grant. Check the beneficiary’s rules for commercial branding, raffles and ticket income. A Melbourne pub group or a regional transport operator may be a useful local partner, while interstate and overseas sponsorship requires a clear agreement on currency, payment method and public reporting.

Turn the match into lasting support

After the final whistle, publish the amount raised, the cost breakdown and what the beneficiary received or will receive. Update every sponsor, volunteer and supporter, then thank participants personally. If players want to continue, create a monthly training slot, equipment handover or junior festival; this keeps the Rugby Fives charity exhibition match connected to a real, measurable programme.

Start now by naming the cause, confirming the beneficiary, setting the dollar target and booking a provisional venue date. Invite one school and one senior club to form the first two teams, assign owners for promotion, safety and finance, and then publish the match details. A clear action today will turn a friendly fixture into trusted, durable community support.

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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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