Lewin Reserve Home of Kiwi Hawthorn
Every rugby club needs a place to call home, a ground where players train on cold winter nights, supporters gather on match days, and club history is shared from one generation to the next. For Kiwi Hawthorn Rugby Club, that place is Lewin Reserve in Glen Iris, in Melbourne’s inner east.
This article explains why Lewin Reserve matters to the club, what the reserve offers, how its new pavilion has changed the experience for players and the community, and practical tips for anyone planning a visit.
Where Lewin Reserve Is Located
Lewin Reserve is a council-managed park and sportsground run by the City of Boroondara. It sits at 20 to 28 Sinclair Avenue, Glen Iris, a leafy residential suburb about 10 kilometres south-east of Melbourne’s city centre.
The reserve is easy to reach by public transport:
- Train: Gardiner Station on the Glen Waverley line is about 650 metres away
- Tram: the Route 72 stop on Burke Road is about 500 metres away
- Car: timed parking is available on Sinclair Avenue and MacDonald Street, with some unrestricted spaces on Sinclair Avenue
A Return to the Club’s Roots
Lewin Reserve is not a new address for the club. Rugby Victoria describes it as one of Kiwi Hawthorn’s original home grounds, which gives the move back there special meaning.
For around 30 years, the club was based at Auburn High School. The COVID-19 period forced the club to leave that home, and Kiwi Hawthorn returned to Lewin Reserve, which has since become its permanent base.
Returning to a historic ground helped the club in several ways:
- It reconnected current players with the generations who played there before them
- It gave the club a stable home after a period of disruption
- It placed the club in the heart of the Boroondara community it represents
- It provided a public setting where families and locals can watch rugby
Facilities at Lewin Reserve
The reserve is a multi-use space, serving rugby in winter and cricket in summer, as well as local residents who use the park year-round.
| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| Sportsground | East oval with a perimeter of about 370 metres |
| Rugby setup | Goal posts installed for the winter season |
| Cricket | Synthetic pitch and a three-lane net area |
| Pavilion | New sports pavilion completed in December 2023 |
| Public amenities | Playground, barbecue, seating, drinking fountain, toilets including an accessible toilet |
The reserve also includes an off-lead dog area and is used for dog training, so it remains busy with local residents outside of match times.
The New Lewin Reserve Pavilion
The biggest change at the ground in recent years has been the pavilion renewal led by the City of Boroondara. The old building was a basic sports shed with club rooms, and council noted that it did not cater well for the women and girls who play rugby and cricket at the reserve.
Project Timeline
- Mid 2022: design finalised after community feedback
- September 2022: construction began
- December 2023: construction completed, including demolition of the old building
What the Pavilion Includes
The new facility was designed to be accessible and welcoming to a wider range of players and visitors. Features include:
- Two unisex change rooms
- A dedicated umpires’ room and first aid room
- Storage space for club equipment
- A multipurpose social room with a kiosk
- A rooftop terrace and viewing platform
- Outdoor amphitheatre-style steps
- A public toilet
For a rugby club, these details matter. Proper change rooms, a first aid room, and a social space make it easier to host matches, welcome visiting teams, and grow women’s and junior programs.
An Architect-Designed Pavilion
The pavilion was designed by Melbourne architecture practice Kennedy Nolan, working with landscape architect Simon Ellis. Rather than one large building, the design splits the facility into two pavilions set partly into the ground, so they blend with the park instead of dominating it.
The site is steep and flood-prone, so floor levels were carefully planned for both flood safety and universal access. The project also includes a strong focus on sustainability:
- Passive heating and cooling
- Water collection and reuse
- Natural daylight capture
- Solar panels and heat-pump hot water
- A fossil-fuel-free design
Spectators benefit too. The roof terrace, sheltered amphitheatre, verandah, and stepped seating give supporters more places to watch the game, a big improvement on a simple sideline.
Match Days and Training at Lewin Reserve
During the winter rugby season, Lewin Reserve becomes the centre of Kiwi Hawthorn’s club life. Training sessions, home matches, and social events all take place at the ground. Since the club’s return to the Dewar Shield in 2025, Lewin Reserve has hosted top-flight Victorian club rugby once again.
A typical home match day might include:
- Lower-grade and senior matches across the day
- Supporters gathering on the terrace and sidelines
- Food and drinks from the kiosk
- Post-match catch-ups in the social room
For a community club, these moments help build the loyalty and friendships that keep players involved for years.
Sharing the Ground With the Community
Lewin Reserve is a public park, so sharing the space is part of club life. Council schedules set the times when the oval is used for organised sport, and the sportsground must be cleared during those times for safety.
For the 2026 to 2027 summer season, council lists scheduled sport on weekday afternoons and evenings and on weekend mornings, with no scheduled sport on Wednesdays. Rugby use returns in the winter months, when goal posts are put back in place.
This shared model means the reserve serves rugby players, cricketers, dog owners, families, and walkers, giving the club a visible presence in the local community.
Why a Good Home Ground Matters
For an amateur rugby club, a reliable home ground is about much more than a place to play. It shapes almost every part of club life:
- Recruitment: modern facilities help attract new players, coaches, and volunteers
- Inclusion: suitable change rooms make it easier to welcome women, girls, and junior players
- Identity: a settled home builds a sense of belonging for members and supporters
- Sustainability: social spaces and a kiosk help clubs raise funds through events and match days
After years of moving between grounds, having a stable base at Lewin Reserve gives Kiwi Hawthorn a platform to plan for the long term rather than worrying about where the next season will be played.
Tips for Visiting Lewin Reserve
- Use public transport on busy match days, since street parking is limited
- Check the club’s fixtures before you visit, as the ground is shared across seasons
- Bring warm clothing for winter matches, especially for evening training
- Use the accessible path from Sinclair Avenue if you need step-free access to the pavilion
- Respect local residents by keeping noise down and parking legally
Final Thoughts
Lewin Reserve, home of Kiwi Hawthorn, combines club history with modern facilities. As one of the club’s original grounds, it links today’s players to more than a century of tradition, while its architect-designed pavilion offers better change rooms, social spaces, and viewing areas than ever before. For a club rebuilding in the Dewar Shield, it is the right home for the next chapter.
Jante Smith is a creative and dedicated content writer who loves turning ideas into clear and engaging stories. She writes blog posts and articles that connect with readers. She ensures every piece of content is well-structured and easy to understand. Her writing helps our brand share useful information and build strong relationships with our audience.