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

Hydration for Rugby Fives tournament players

Hydration during Rugby Fives tournaments supports speed, decision-making and recovery across repeated matches. Players often focus on warming up and warming down, yet the fluid and energy used during play can determine how they feel in the final stages, especially on a warm afternoon.

Tournament conditions create particular demands. Courts may be indoors, but travel, humid weather, long fixture lists and limited breaks still affect players. A practical hydration plan helps athletes arrive prepared, drink consistently and finish each match without stomach discomfort, dizziness or an avoidable crash.

Why fluid balance matters on the court

Rugby Fives involves short bursts of running, collisions, changes of direction and repeated exposure to artificial turf. Even when a venue is air-conditioned, players can lose substantial fluid through sweat. Dehydration may make a player feel thirstier while reducing comfort, concentration and high-speed performance.

Thirst is a useful signal, but it can arrive late during a busy match. Coaches should build drink breaks around the fixture schedule rather than waiting for someone to ask for water. Players who know when their next opportunity will occur are more likely to drink enough without consuming an excessive amount during a brief stoppage.

Fluid needs differ between athletes. A larger player, a smaller player and someone working in a role with different movement patterns will not have identical sweat losses. Tournament organisers should provide regular access to water without pressuring anyone to drink a fixed amount that may be unsuitable for their body.

Planning around Australian tournament conditions

Players should begin tournaments already hydrated, particularly when travelling from another Australian city or state. A light meal, regular drinking and normal meals during the journey provide a better start than trying to correct fluid loss immediately before a match. Anyone using prescribed medication or managing a medical condition should follow their usual professional guidance.

Brisbane’s humid summers can make unaccustomed players feel warmer even when the court itself is cool, while Sydney may deliver hot afternoons around outdoor parking and arrival areas. Melbourne and Adelaide can produce sharp temperature changes during spring and summer. Pack a clearly marked refillable bottle, keep it shaded between games and use the litre scale familiar in Australia to track consumption without repeatedly guessing.

Australian cricket and Australian rules football already make shared drink breaks familiar, but Rugby Fives needs its own rhythm. Water should be available before warm-ups, between matches and after the final whistle. Fixtures that allow only a few minutes between games should also account for the time needed to cool down, eat and drink.

Matching drinks to match demands

Water is usually the central choice during moderate-length matches. It contains no carbohydrate and adds no unnecessary sugar, making it refreshing between efforts. Players should take measured sips rather than gulping a full bottle immediately after a hard passage.

Long tournaments, extra-time matches and multiple games in one day increase the value of carbohydrate and electrolytes. A commercial sports drink can help replace fluid and provide fuel, while an electrolyte drink may suit a player who needs fluid and sodium without extra energy. Sweetness, caffeine and unfamiliar ingredients can cause stomach problems if a product is consumed too quickly.

Food also matters. White bread, fruit, cereal, bananas, muesli bars and readily available Australian bakery snacks can contribute carbohydrate without making hydration more complicated. Players should test sports drinks during training, then bring the same product to tournaments. An untested energy drink is rarely a good match-day choice.

Keeping hydration safe and well supported

Coaches and managers can record basic observations without turning every fixture into a medical assessment. Clues such as an unusually dark urine colour, persistent headache, dizziness, confusion or vomiting may justify stopping play and seeking qualified medical help. Rapid weight loss after a match can indicate significant fluid loss and should prompt a structured recovery plan.

Care should cover more than elite competitors. School programs, community tournaments and mixed-age events require clean refill points, accessible bottles and clear communication for volunteers. Players with disabilities or limited access to private changing areas may need additional time and space. Inclusive provision improves safety for everyone on the roster.

The Rugby Fives Association’s club welfare guidance gives clubs a useful basis for appointing a named welfare contact. That person can coordinate breaks, watch for concerning symptoms, communicate with first aid staff and check that players have transport and support after leaving the venue.

Make hydration part of every fixture plan

Tournament organisers should include hydration in the operational checklist alongside pitches, officials and results. Volunteers need to know when refill stations open, where they are located and who can pause a fixture if someone becomes unwell. Labels should explain contents, and reusable containers should be easy to fill, carry and clean.

Drink option	Most useful situation	Practical approach	Points to watch
Water	Most matches and warm-ups	Sip regularly across scheduled breaks	Very large volumes taken rapidly can cause discomfort
Electrolyte drink	Warm conditions or noticeable salty sweating	Choose a simple, tested product	Check sodium and sugar content
Sports drink	Multiple matches, long sessions or extra time	Pair fluid with easily digested carbohydrate	Avoid unfamiliar or highly caffeinated products
Recovery drink after a match	Players losing fluid and energy	Consume with a suitable meal	Preparation and product timing may affect tolerance

Make hydration a visible part of every Rugby Fives event by checking fixtures in advance, briefing volunteers and giving players the time to drink. Clubs that prepare bottles, recovery plans and responsible contacts now can create safer match days and stronger tournament experiences for the entire community.

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.