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 Rugby Fives Road Trip Across the UK

A Rugby Fives road trip combines competitive sport, local discovery, and the chance to meet players beyond your home club. Visiting several courts in one journey can develop your game quickly, reveal different playing styles, and help build relationships across the national Fives community.

Good planning turns a collection of club visits into a rewarding tour. You will need to coordinate court availability, travel times, opponents, accommodation, equipment, and rest periods while leaving enough flexibility for unexpected changes.

Set A Clear Route And Purpose

Begin by deciding what you want the trip to achieve. A group focused on match practice may prioritise established clubs with regular fixtures, while newer players could benefit from coaching sessions, social games, or visits to schools and community programmes. A balanced itinerary can include competitive, developmental, and recreational stops.

Choose a practical geographic region rather than trying to cover too much ground. A weekend might suit two nearby clubs, whereas a longer break could connect venues across several counties. Use club directories, fixture information, rankings, and local contacts to identify realistic destinations before booking anything.

Keep daily driving moderate. Rugby Fives requires concentration, agility, and quick reactions, so arriving exhausted can reduce the quality of every game. A route with shorter journeys and more court time is usually more valuable than an ambitious itinerary involving several distant venues.

Build A Club-Friendly Schedule

Contact each club well in advance with a concise message explaining who you are, how many players are travelling, your preferred dates, and what sort of session you would like. Mention playing standards honestly so the host can arrange suitable opponents or coaching. A clear request is easier to answer than a vague proposal.

Ask about court access, changing facilities, parking, refreshments, footwear requirements, and whether the club has regular club nights. Some venues may have limited court availability or established league commitments. Agree on arrival times and session length, then record the details in one shared itinerary.

Leave space between visits. A two-hour game can become a longer social occasion, especially when players discuss tactics or introduce visitors to other members. If your journey includes an organised competition, review practical event guidance such as county championship planning so that your group understands scheduling and coordination expectations.

Pack For Court Time And Travel

A compact kit reduces stress when moving between clubs. Pack several pairs of sports socks, comfortable court clothing, indoor footwear suitable for the venue, a towel, water bottle, snacks, and any preferred grip or support equipment. Bring spare clothing if the trip includes multiple sessions in one day.

A first-aid kit should include plasters, blister protection, tape, basic pain relief, and supplies for minor strains. Players who use braces, glasses, or other personal equipment should carry backups where possible. Keep balls and shared equipment in a marked bag so nothing is left behind at a club.

Travel essentials matter too. Charge phones before departure, download offline directions, save club contact numbers, and keep a paper copy of the itinerary. If several cars are involved, share driver details and establish a simple system for communicating delays. A group messaging thread can handle quick updates without distracting players during matches.

Compare Route Options And Costs

Estimate the full cost before confirming the trip. Fuel, parking, accommodation, meals, court fees, and possible coaching charges can add up quickly. Dividing shared expenses fairly prevents awkwardness and allows every player to understand the financial commitment.

Accommodation near the final venue of the day is often more practical than returning to a central base. However, a base may reduce packing and make the trip feel more social. Compare both approaches using realistic driving times, especially if roads are busy or the itinerary crosses urban areas.

Planning Area	Questions To Answer	Useful Approach
Travel distance	How long is each journey in normal traffic?	Add a buffer for delays and parking
Court access	When can the group play or train?	Confirm bookings directly with the club
Accommodation	Is a late arrival or early start involved?	Choose convenient, flexible lodging
Food and recovery	Where will players eat and rest?	Pre-book simple meals near venues
Shared costs	Which expenses benefit the whole group?	Agree on a per-person budget beforehand
Contingency	What happens if a session is cancelled?	Keep a reserve activity or alternate court

Build in a cancellation policy for deposits and bookings. Flexible accommodation may cost slightly more, but it can protect the group if fixtures change, a venue becomes unavailable, or severe weather affects travel.

Respect Club Culture And Playing Etiquette

Every club has its own atmosphere, traditions, and expectations. Arrive on time, introduce the travelling group, follow instructions about court use, and leave changing areas clean. Ask before taking photographs or recording games, particularly when junior players or private club events are involved.

Warm up properly and adapt your intensity to the session. A visiting team should bring competitive energy without treating every rally as a test of status. If players have different abilities, rotate opponents and formats so that the visit feels welcoming rather than exclusive.

Social time is part of the value of a club tour. Accept an invitation for refreshments when practical, thank the hosts before leaving, and send a short message afterwards. These simple gestures can lead to return fixtures, tournament entries, coaching exchanges, and stronger links between clubs.

Track Progress And Share The Experience

Keep a basic record of each stop: date, venue, players present, opponents, scores, useful advice, and any follow-up commitments. This creates a personal travel log and helps the group measure development over time. It can also support accurate match records when the games form part of a recognised fixture.

After each session, allow ten minutes for player reflections. Note which serves caused problems, how players handled different court conditions, and what tactical ideas worked. Comparing experiences across clubs can highlight habits that are difficult to notice during regular home training.

With permission, share a short account through club newsletters or social media. Mention the host club, thank volunteers, and focus on the people and sporting exchange rather than presenting the journey as a personal achievement. Positive coverage can encourage other players to explore inter-club competition.

Keep The Journey Organised

A shared itinerary should show addresses, contact names, booking references, arrival times, match formats, and emergency information. Give every driver and team organiser access to it. Include a realistic departure time for each leg rather than relying on optimistic estimates from a mapping app.

Use a simple budget spreadsheet and settle shared expenses promptly. Decide in advance whether fuel is split by car, pooled across the whole group, or reimbursed to drivers. Transparency is especially important when some participants stay overnight while others travel home.

A successful tour also depends on recovery. Schedule meals, sleep, stretching, and quiet periods just as deliberately as matches. Players who feel fresh will contribute more to the games and enjoy conversations with hosts. The goal is a sustainable club visit, not a test of how much activity can be forced into one weekend.

Road Trip Checklist

Use this final checklist during the week before departure:

Confirm every court booking, opponent, start time, and host contact.
Check travel routes, parking arrangements, fuel stops, and accommodation policies.
Pack court shoes, spare clothing, water, snacks, first-aid supplies, and chargers.
Agree on shared costs, driver responsibilities, communication, and cancellation plans.
Prepare a short thank-you message and record results after each club visit.

Once the essentials are arranged, make room for the spontaneous parts of the journey. A useful coaching tip, an unexpected doubles game, or a conversation with a long-standing player may become the most memorable part of the tour.

Choose a region, contact your first clubs, and give your group a clear date to work towards. With thoughtful scheduling and a welcoming attitude, your Rugby Fives road trip can strengthen your game while connecting you with the wider network of players, volunteers, schools, and clubs across the country.

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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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