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 promote Rugby Fives through local media

Rugby Fives has a strong story to tell: it is fast, skilful, accessible and closely connected to schools, clubs and community sport. Local media can help more people discover the game, understand how it works and find a nearby session, competition or coaching opportunity.

In Australia, successful coverage will usually come from making Rugby Fives feel local rather than presenting it as a distant British curiosity. A school in Melbourne, a community centre in Brisbane or a university club in Sydney each has its own audience, language and news cycle. The strongest publicity connects the sport’s history with a clear reason for people in that community to take notice now.

Build a story that belongs in the community

Editors rarely need a general statement that a sport is worthwhile. They need a specific story with people, place and timing. A new junior programme, an interschool fixture, a visiting coach, a club anniversary or a local player selected for a national championship gives a journalist something concrete to cover.

Prepare a short media release with a clear headline, a two-sentence summary and the essential details: who is involved, what is happening, where and when it will occur, and why it matters. Avoid assuming that readers know Rugby Fives. Describe it as a wall-based court sport with similarities to squash and handball, then explain what makes it distinctive.

Local angles make the difference. A school programme can be framed around inclusive participation, confidence and coordination. A club event can focus on volunteers and community connections. A tournament may provide a competitive angle, while a beginner session can appeal to families looking for something different during the school holidays.

Choose one spokesperson who can explain the sport in plain English and one or two players who are comfortable sharing personal experiences. A short quote about discovering the game at school or finding a welcoming club will usually be more effective than a formal statement filled with sporting terminology.

Match the message to Australian media

Regional newspapers, suburban titles and community websites remain useful for reaching people close to a venue. Many operate with small teams, so a well-organised release, strong photographs and complete contact details can improve the chance of publication. Send material well before the event, then follow up briefly rather than repeatedly.

Community radio is particularly valuable for niche sports. Stations often welcome local guests, event notices and short interviews that commercial outlets cannot fit into their schedules. Offer a player, coach or organiser who can speak naturally for five minutes. Mention practical details such as free entry, public transport, parking and whether beginners are welcome.

Council newsletters, leisure-centre websites and local school bulletins can reach families who may never search for Rugby Fives. In Australia, council areas such as the City of Yarra, Brisbane City Council or the City of Fremantle often promote recreation through newsletters, venue listings and social channels. Build relationships with the communications staff and provide copy that can be used with minimal editing.

Digital community groups also matter, though each group has its own rules. A post in a local Facebook group should sound like useful community information, not an advertisement copied from a national campaign. Mention the suburb, the venue and the immediate benefit to residents. Always ask administrators before posting promotional material.

Make visual coverage easy to publish

Rugby Fives is a visual sport, but an empty court will not tell much of a story. Arrange photographs that show movement, concentration, interaction and a recognisable local setting. Include a mix of action shots, coaching moments and group images, with written permission for every identifiable participant.

A media kit should include two or three high-resolution images, captions, photographer credit and the names of everyone pictured. Add a short fact sheet with the rules, court requirements, age groups, registration details and links to the relevant club or association page. This saves a journalist from having to chase basic information.

Short video can extend the life of a media visit. Film a rally, a welcoming moment for a first-time player and a brief explanation of the scoring. Keep clips vertical for social media and supply subtitles so they work without sound. Local television, online publishers and radio stations with video platforms can all use this material when it is supplied in a simple, accessible format.

Be careful with personal stories and safeguarding. Children should never be treated as publicity assets, and interviews should follow school, club and parental consent procedures. Volunteers should know how to respond if a participant raises a concern; practical safeguarding guidance can help inform a clear process for witnessing or reporting inappropriate conduct.

Turn events into continuing coverage

A single tournament announcement may earn a short listing, but a sequence of related stories can build recognition. Begin with a notice about registrations, follow with a profile of a local participant, provide results after the event and share a photograph or community reaction the next day.

Results are especially useful when they are accurate and locally relevant. Include the names of players, schools or clubs from the area, along with a concise explanation of the competition. The Rugby Fives Association’s rankings, fixtures and historical records can add authority, while local results give smaller publications a reason to cover the sport.

Create a simple annual calendar around predictable news opportunities: school terms, winter sport transitions, national championships, open days, coach education and volunteer milestones. In Australia, timing matters. A school story may work best before term begins, while a community session can be promoted several weeks before the autumn or winter sports rush fills family calendars.

Track coverage in a shared spreadsheet. Record the outlet, journalist, date sent, publication result, estimated audience, website visits and registrations linked to the story. Note which headlines, photographs and spokespeople performed well. Over time, this evidence helps clubs demonstrate value to councils, schools, sponsors and potential venue partners.

Compare channels before committing effort

Each media channel serves a different purpose. A local newspaper may provide credibility, while community radio offers a human voice and social media provides speed. Use several channels together, but adapt the material rather than posting the same message everywhere.

Channel	Best use	Ideal lead time	Useful measure
Local newspaper or website	Profiles, event previews and results	2–4 weeks	Articles published and referral visits
Community radio	Interviews, event notices and beginner stories	1–3 weeks	Interview reach and enquiries
Council newsletter	Public sessions, venue activities and school programmes	4–8 weeks	Registrations and listing views
School newsletter	Junior participation and family engagement	2–4 weeks	Trial-session attendance
Community Facebook group	Local reminders and last-minute updates	3–10 days	Approved posts, comments and sign-ups
Instagram or TikTok	Action, coaching and player stories	1–7 days	Video views, shares and profile visits

Build a contact list with names, outlets, suburbs and preferred deadlines. Include local sports reporters, education editors, radio producers, school communications officers and council recreation teams. A brief personal email is more effective than sending every contact the same generic release.

Keep the tone welcoming and avoid overselling. Say that newcomers can learn the basics, explain whether equipment is available and state the cost clearly. If a venue is accessible, publicise that fact. If a session is suitable for different ages or abilities, describe the arrangements accurately rather than using vague claims about inclusiveness.

Strong local publicity should lead somewhere practical. Every article, interview or post needs one clear next step: register for a come-and-try session, contact a club, attend a tournament or join a school programme. Use a dedicated landing page or trackable link when possible, and make sure the page works well on a mobile phone.

Prepare the next media release, photograph an upcoming session and contact one local outlet this week. Give Rugby Fives a recognisable voice in Australian communities by putting local people, real opportunities and clear pathways to participation at the centre of every story.

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

A wide-angle photograph of a row of Rugby Fives courts at a traditional British school, with ivy-covered brick walls and cream court surfaces under soft overcast daylight.

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

A photograph of a fixture board on a cream-painted wall, with neatly handwritten match cards pinned in rows; soft shadows and warm indirect light.

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

A photograph of a shelf of leather-bound archive volumes and photograph albums in maroon and tan, with a brass lamp casting warm light across the spines.