How to Join Kiwi Hawthorn Rugby Club

Whether you are a seasoned player who just moved to Melbourne, a New Zealander looking for a familiar rugby culture, a parent with a child keen to try the game, or someone who simply wants to be part of a community club, Kiwi Hawthorn Rugby Club offers a welcoming place to start.

Founded in 1923 by New Zealand expats and now playing at Lewin Reserve in Glen Iris, the club combines more than a century of history with a renewed place in Victoria’s top competition, the Dewar Shield. This guide explains how to join, from choosing your role to registering and turning up for your first training session.

Why Join Kiwi Hawthorn

People join rugby clubs for different reasons, and Kiwi Hawthorn offers something for each of them:

Competitive rugby: the club returned to the Dewar Shield, Victoria’s premier club competition, from the 2025 season
History and tradition: 14 Dewar Shield premierships and two Wallabies in its past
Community: a social network that is especially valuable for people new to Melbourne
Modern facilities: a new pavilion at Lewin Reserve, completed in late 2023
Pathways: junior rugby through to senior teams

For New Zealanders and other newcomers to Melbourne, the club’s heritage adds something extra. Kiwi Hawthorn was built by people who arrived in a new city and used rugby to find friends, work contacts, and a sense of belonging. That welcoming spirit is still a big part of what the club offers today, whether you grew up with the game or are picking up a ball for the first time.

Ways to Get Involved

Joining a rugby club does not only mean playing. There are several ways to be part of Kiwi Hawthorn.

Role	Who It Suits	What It Involves
Senior player	Adults of any experience level	Training, matches, and team selection across grades
Junior player	Children and teenagers	Age-based training and games in a safe setting
Volunteer or coach	Parents, former players, supporters	Coaching, managing teams, match-day help, committee roles
Social member or sponsor	Supporters and local businesses	Supporting the club financially and attending events

Step 1: Contact the Club

The best first step is to get in touch with the club directly. Kiwi Hawthorn has an official website and separate social media pages for its senior club and its junior rugby program. These channels are where the club shares news about pre-season training, registration openings, and events.

When you contact the club, it helps to mention:

Your age and whether you are joining as a senior or junior player
Your rugby experience, if any, and your usual position
Whether you are interested in playing, coaching, volunteering, or supporting

Beginners are welcome at most community clubs, so do not worry if you have never played before. Coaches can help new players learn the basics safely.

Step 2: Come Along to Training

Most people join a rugby club by simply turning up to training. Pre-season training in Victoria usually starts early in the year, ahead of a competition that runs through the autumn and winter months.

Training takes place at Lewin Reserve, 20 to 28 Sinclair Avenue, Glen Iris. The ground is about 650 metres from Gardiner Station and about 500 metres from the Route 72 tram stop on Burke Road. Confirm the current training days and times with the club, as they can change between pre-season and the regular season.

What to Bring

Rugby boots or football boots suitable for grass
Shorts, a training shirt, and rugby socks
A mouthguard, which is strongly recommended for contact sessions
A water bottle
Warm layers for cold evenings

Step 3: Register Through Rugby Xplorer

In Australia, rugby players register through Rugby Xplorer, the official registration platform used by clubs across the country. Registration is important because it provides player insurance. Victorian clubs generally do not allow unregistered players to take part in training or matches.

The registration process usually works like this:

Download the Rugby Xplorer app or use the Rugby Xplorer website
Log in or create an account
Choose to register and search for Kiwi Hawthorn
Select your role, such as player, coach, or volunteer
Choose your registration type and enter your details
Pay the fee to complete registration

Parents register junior players through their own account. Some clubs also offer a training-only option for people who want to try the game before committing to a full season.

Step 4: Understand the Fees

Each club sets its own fees, so you will need to check Kiwi Hawthorn’s current rates. As a general guide, a player registration fee in Victorian club rugby often covers:

Rugby Australia registration and insurance
Rugby Victoria competition and team fees
Referee costs
Ground and facility costs
Club services such as physiotherapy or kit, depending on the club

For comparison, another Melbourne club published 2026 senior men’s fees of $495, women’s fees of $395, and junior fees ranging from $200 to $395 depending on age. Kiwi Hawthorn’s fees may differ, so treat these numbers as a rough reference only. Many clubs offer early-bird discounts and payment plans, so ask if cost is a concern.

Step 5: Get Ready for Match Day

Once registered, you will be placed in a team based on your age, ability, and availability. Senior clubs in Victoria field teams across several grades, so players of different levels can get regular game time.

Before your first match:

Check team selection announcements from your coach or manager
Confirm the venue, since some matches are away from Lewin Reserve
Arrive early for the warm-up
Collect any club playing kit you need

Joining as a Junior Player

Kiwi Hawthorn runs a junior rugby program, which gives children a chance to learn skills, stay active, and make friends. Junior rugby in Australia uses age-appropriate formats, with modified rules for younger players so they can learn safely.

Parents should ask the club about:

Which age groups are available for the coming season
Training nights and game days
Safety policies and coach accreditation
Ways parents can help, such as team manager roles

Volunteering and Supporting the Club

Like all amateur clubs, Kiwi Hawthorn depends on volunteers. The club’s history is full of people who gave decades of service, including long-serving officials who helped build its success. Roles can include coaching, first aid, canteen help, fundraising, social events, and committee work.

Volunteering is also a great way to meet people, especially if you are new to Melbourne. Even a few hours a season makes a real difference.

Tips for New Members

Register early to take advantage of any early-bird pricing
Attend social events to get to know teammates
Be patient as a beginner, since rugby skills take time to develop
Ask questions about fitness, positions, and team expectations
Follow the club’s online pages for updates

Final Thoughts

Joining Kiwi Hawthorn Rugby Club is a simple process: contact the club, come to training at Lewin Reserve, register through Rugby Xplorer, and get ready for match day. Whether you want to play in the Dewar Shield, start your child in junior rugby, or help as a volunteer, the club offers a place in a proud rugby community with more than a hundred years of history.