Plan A Rugby Fives Open Day Local Families Will Enjoy
A Rugby Fives open day can give families a lively first taste of the sport without the pressure of a formal competition. The best events combine short demonstrations, simple coaching, plenty of encouragement and time for parents, children and teenagers to try the wall-and-ball game themselves.
For an Australian audience, the plan should suit local routines and conditions. A Saturday morning at a school, university or community sports venue may work better than a hot summer afternoon, while clear information about parking, sun protection and what to bring will help families arrive prepared.
| Open day format | Best for | Main advantage | Key consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Come-and-try session | First-time families | Easy, relaxed entry | Needs plenty of helpers |
| Skills circuit | Mixed ages and abilities | Keeps groups active | Requires clear rotation times |
| Mini festival | Clubs with several courts | Creates atmosphere and variety | Needs stronger coordination |
| Family challenge | Returning participants | Encourages repeat visits | Activities must stay inclusive |
Set A Clear Purpose
Decide what the event needs to achieve before booking a venue or designing activities. The aim might be to introduce Rugby Fives to local families, attract new junior players, reconnect former participants or build a pathway towards club training. A focused purpose makes every decision easier, from the length of the session to the messages used in promotion.
Set practical targets rather than relying on vague expectations. You might aim for 30 first-time participants, ten families joining a follow-up session or a set number of children moving into school or club coaching. Keep registration simple, record attendance and ask families how they heard about the day.
Choose an age range that volunteers can manage confidently. A mixed family session can work well when activities are adaptable, but younger children may need shorter rotations and softer balls. Teenagers often respond better to a skill challenge, rally game or small-sided competition than to a long explanation.
Find A Suitable Australian Venue
Look for a venue with safe playing walls, enough space for waiting families and easy access to toilets, drinking water and shade. School courts, independent schools, university facilities and council recreation centres can all be suitable. In Sydney or Melbourne, public transport access may matter as much as car parking; in outer suburban areas, families may expect straightforward parking and room for a pram or sports gear.
Contact the venue early about availability, insurance, access arrangements and court conditions. Ask whether the building will be open before the advertised start time, whether the surface becomes slippery after rain and who handles first aid or emergency procedures. Local council venues may require a booking form, public liability documentation and a risk assessment several weeks in advance.
Weather planning is especially important in Australia. A Brisbane morning can become humid quickly, while a Perth or Adelaide event may require strong sun protection. Have an indoor fallback where possible, or publish a postponement policy covering heat, storms and unsafe surfaces. Schedule the main playing activities early and provide shaded rest points, sunscreen and water.
Shape A Welcoming Programme
Keep the first 15 minutes friendly and active. Welcome families, explain the basic idea of Rugby Fives and demonstrate how players use the front wall and side walls. Avoid a long technical briefing. Children understand the sport faster when they see a short rally and then get a chance to copy it.
Use stations so participants are moving regularly. One station might focus on striking a stationary ball, another on controlling the rebound and a third on returning the ball over a marked line. Finish with a cooperative rally challenge or short game in which success is measured by effort, communication and improvement rather than winning.
Allow families to choose an appropriate level. A parent who has never played should not be placed immediately against a skilled junior, and an experienced player should have a way to stay challenged. Coloured court markers, different ball types and simple progress cards can help coaches adjust activities without making anyone feel singled out.
Promote Through Local Networks
Start promotion four to six weeks before the event. Use a short description that explains who can attend, whether equipment is supplied, the cost, the session length and what participants should wear. “Free family come-and-try morning” is often clearer to the public than a specialist description of a development clinic.
Share the event through primary schools, secondary schools, independent schools, local clubs, council recreation newsletters and community Facebook groups. In Australia, school sport coordinators and parent associations can be valuable contacts, particularly when the event falls outside the busiest part of the term. Ask partners to share a ready-made image and registration link rather than expecting them to create their own material.
Local language should feel natural and welcoming. Mention a Saturday morning or “arvo” only when it matches the schedule and audience, and make the practical details prominent. A reminder sent two days before the event should include the venue entrance, parking, water bottle advice, sun-safe clothing and a contact number for late arrivals.
Prepare Equipment And Safety
Create an equipment checklist well before the day. Include suitable Rugby Fives balls, spare balls, floor markers, cones, bibs, clipboards, name tags, sign-in sheets and sanitising supplies. Bring a portable first aid kit, ice packs and extra drinking water, even if the venue has its own first aid equipment.
Inspect the court and surrounding areas before participants arrive. Remove loose objects, identify trip hazards and check that doors, walls and lighting are safe. Use one-way movement between stations where possible. Children should receive a clear boundary rule, and spectators should have a designated position away from active play.
Child safety procedures must match Australian requirements and the organisation’s policies. Confirm which coaches and volunteers need a Working with Children Check in the relevant state or territory, keep registration information secure and ensure children are supervised appropriately. Have an incident process, emergency contact details and a plan for heat stress, asthma, allergies and injuries.
Equip And Support Volunteers
A good volunteer team makes the session feel calm. Assign specific roles such as welcome desk, lead coach, station leaders, equipment manager, photographer and family liaison. A short briefing before doors open should cover the timetable, safeguarding expectations, emergency procedures and the language the team will use with nervous beginners.
Give each coach a simple activity card with the purpose, set-up, progressions and easier alternatives. Coaches should demonstrate first, use plain language and praise useful behaviours such as watching the ball, moving into space and encouraging a partner. Avoid correcting every mistake; early confidence is more valuable than perfect technique.
Include volunteers who understand different communities in the area. A bilingual helper may make a major difference in a culturally diverse suburb, while a parent volunteer can explain the practical realities of school sport and weekend activities. Make sure all helpers know whom to approach when a participant needs medical attention or a family has a concern.
Turn Interest Into Participation
Collect permission to contact families about future activities, but keep the process transparent and proportionate. Offer a clear choice of follow-up options, such as a junior training session, a club open evening, a school program or another family come-and-try date. Send the first message within two or three days while the experience is still fresh.
Use the event to explain how Rugby Fives develops over time. Families may be interested in social sessions, school competitions, coaching pathways or friendly tournaments. Sharing stories from the sport’s competitive history, including the association’s record of tournament winners, can show that a relaxed open day connects to a wider playing community.
Review the event with volunteers and record useful details: attendance, age groups, popular activities, incidents, equipment gaps and follow-up registrations. Ask families for one quick comment before they leave or send a short feedback form afterwards. This evidence will help secure future venue support and refine the next local session.
Make The Day Feel Like A Community Event
Small touches can turn a coaching session into a memorable family occasion. Set up a welcome banner, display simple rules, provide a place for parents to watch and schedule a short break between activities. A low-cost fruit or sausage sizzle area may suit some Australian venues, but check council, school and food-handling requirements before serving anything.
Invite local sporting groups, teachers and community leaders to attend. Their presence can broaden awareness and create useful partnerships, especially in areas where families already move between football, netball, tennis, swimming and school sport. Keep the emphasis on participation rather than making the day feel like a sales pitch.
Finish with a group photo only where appropriate permissions have been recorded, then thank participants and volunteers by name. Give every family a printed or digital card showing the next session, contact details and a simple home practice idea. A warm farewell and a clear next step can be the difference between a one-off activity and a lasting connection to Rugby Fives.
Bring local schools, clubs and families together to plan a welcoming session, book a suitable court and recruit volunteers early. With thoughtful preparation, safe coaching and a clear follow-up pathway, your open day can introduce more Australians to Rugby Fives and help build a strong local playing community.
