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

Mixed-doubles Rugby Fives tournaments bring fresh energy to the court

Many Australian players first picked up a doubles game during a relaxed Sunday arvo on the local tennis courts, so stepping onto a Rugby Fives court with a partner of the opposite gender hardly feels like a leap. Mixed-doubles tournaments borrow that same social warmth and add a tactical layer that keeps regulars coming back. The format is simple: one woman and one man per side, swapping turns at the strike and rotating through the service boxes just as in any doubles match.

The appeal goes well beyond the social side. Mixed events create match-ups that single-sex fixtures simply cannot produce, with contrasting strengths, reach, and shot selection all on display in a single rally. Clubs in Sydney, Perth, and Brisbane have begun slotting mixed-doubles draws into their calendars, often as the marquee event of an open weekend. Behind the friendly competition sits a quiet engine for growth, broadening the player base, sharpening coaches' thinking, and giving first-timers a friendlier on-ramp.

For anyone weighing whether to give the format a go, the rewards stretch well beyond a trophy. The skills honed in mixed-doubles translate back into singles play, the social bonds translate into club loyalty, and the tournament structure translates into real pathways for younger players stepping up. The rest of this piece unpacks what those benefits look like in practice.

Building real partnership on the court

Communication tends to be the first thing players notice in mixed-doubles Rugby Fives. With two different body types and two different playing histories on the same side of the court, calling for the ball, signalling for a switch, or simply confirming who takes the next shot becomes a small, ongoing negotiation. Over the course of a tournament, that negotiation hardens into a working shorthand that makes a pair more effective with every match.

There is also a generosity built into the format. A taller partner might take the higher, more contested returns, while a quicker partner covers the wider deflections off the side wall. Players who have only ever competed in singles often find that playing mixed-doubles unlocks an instinct for sharing the workload, an instinct that improves their all-court movement back in their regular fixtures. For coaches running club sessions, mixed pairings in drills are a clever way to build that habit without anyone feeling singled out.

A more welcoming door into the sport

Mixed-doubles events tend to attract a wider cross-section of players than straight knockout draws. Partners do not need identical skill levels to enter, and the four-person dynamic softens the pressure that sometimes puts newcomers off competitive play. For clubs that have traditionally struggled to draw female members into mixed-sex sessions, hosting a mixed-doubles tournament can quietly solve a long-running problem by giving women a visible and rewarding role from day one.

The format also suits older returners and players coming back from injury. A partner can cover the gaps while confidence rebuilds, and the social setting of a tournament means there is always someone to chat with between rubbers. Australian club culture already leans into this kind of inclusive vibe, and mixed-doubles Rugby Fives sits comfortably alongside the doubles tennis culture that thrives from Melbourne's inner suburbs to country shows in regional New South Wales.

Smarter tactics, sharper movement

When four players share a Rugby Fives court, the geometry of the rally changes. Mixed pairings tend to read angles differently because the two players naturally default to slightly different positions: one partner may favour the back corner while the other works the front. Over a tournament, those habits sharpen into a deliberate rotation that makes the pair harder to read.

Comparing mixed-doubles with same-sex doubles across a few key dimensions helps explain why the format earns its growing reputation:

Aspect	Mixed doubles	Same-sex doubles
Communication load	High; partners often need to call shots out loud	Lower; non-verbal cues more common
Court coverage	Wider and more lateral; pairs cover each other's reach gaps	Compact zones with predictable rotations
Shot variety	Greater contrast in styles leads to more varied rallies	More uniform patterns emerge
Learning curve	Steeper early on, rewarding once shorthand develops	Gentler for solo players adapting to partners
Spectator appeal	Broad; mixed rallies tend to be visually engaging	Specialist; appeals most to experienced followers
Junior engagement	Strong; pairs a developing player with a steadier one	Solid; familiar junior pathway

Tournaments that encourage tactical variety in this way often produce tighter finals and more memorable moments. Captains find themselves digging deeper into their playbook, and spectators get to see rallies where every shot has a purpose.

Stronger clubs and brisker social scenes

A tournament is rarely just about the matches. Mixed-doubles draws pack out club rooms in a way that single-sex events sometimes do not, with families, partners, and friends all welcome to come along and watch. The after-match catch-up is where clubs grow, and a successful mixed-doubles open day often becomes the social anchor of a club's calendar year.

There is also a recruitment dividend. Curious spectators who wander in to watch a mixed final frequently leave with a racket in their hand and a club night in their diary. For smaller clubs in suburban Melbourne or outer Brisbane, that kind of grassroots pull can be the difference between a thriving programme and one that slowly winds down. Hosting a mixed-doubles tournament also gives clubs a low-cost way to put on a polished event, since the format scales neatly from a four-team round-robin to a full weekend draw.

Pathways for juniors, returners, and late bloomers

Perhaps the most lasting benefit of mixed-doubles Rugby Fives is the way it opens pathways for players who might otherwise struggle to find a competitive home. Schools and youth centres looking for a sport that welcomes mixed-gender teams, plays well on indoor courts, and rewards teamwork rather than size will find Rugby Fives a natural fit. If you are working with a youth centre and want a clear starting point, the practical guide on how to start a rugby fives programme in a youth centre walks through the steps from equipment to first fixtures.

For juniors, the format offers a gentler transition into competitive play than a hard singles draw. For adults returning after a long break, a patient partner makes the comeback less daunting. And for late bloomers who only discovered the sport in their thirties or forties, mixed events are often the first place they feel truly part of the community.

Mixed-doubles Rugby Fives tournaments deliver more than a fun weekend; they build the partnerships, habits, and welcoming rituals that keep a sport alive. Whether you are a player looking for a new challenge, a coach wanting to broaden your programme, or a club secretary hunting for that next big social event, the format is ready when you are. Reach out to the Rugby Fives Association to find a fixture near you, register a team for the next open event, or ask about starting a programme in your local area.

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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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