Richard Lewis (tennis and rugby league)
Encyclopedia
Richard Lewis is a former British Davis Cup
tennis professional from Surrey
.
Lewis became executive chairman of the Rugby Football League
in 2002. On 1 April 2009 he replaced Michael Farrar
as chairman of Sport England
.
reach the Davis Cup final and he also played in the 1981 semi-finals. He also achieved a highest ranking of 68th in the world.
(LTA) in 1987, rising to become the its director of tennis, but agreeing to leave his position in the wake of a 2000 loss to Ecuador that led to reduction of British tennis's status from "World" to "Euro-African Zone".
(BARLA) after nearly 30 years of division.
Lewis, it was claimed by then Widnes Vikings
chairman Tony Chambers, showed his strong expansionist credentials in 2005 when he allegedly threatened to resign if Super League
clubs did not back a plan to save London Broncos (now Harlequins Rugby League), although he denies this.
Under Lewis, plans for a Super League licensing system were introduced.
Through his position at the RFL, Lewis has become Chair of the Rugby League European Federation
and Deputy Chair of the Rugby League International Federation
.
Following Nigel Wood's appointment as RFL Chief Executive in October 2007, Lewis's role increasingly focuses on developing rugby league in the UK and internationally.
In 2009, when Lewis took on the role of Chair of Sport England, his RFL title changed from Executive Chairman to Chairman.
richard.lewis [at] rfl.uk.com
Davis Cup
The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's tennis. It is run by the International Tennis Federation and is contested between teams of players from competing countries in a knock-out format. The competition began in 1900 as a challenge between Britain and the United States. By...
tennis professional from Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
.
Lewis became executive chairman of the Rugby Football League
Rugby Football League
The Rugby Football League is the governing body for professional rugby league football in England. Based at Red Hall in Leeds, it administers the England national rugby league team, the Challenge Cup, Super League and the Rugby League Championships...
in 2002. On 1 April 2009 he replaced Michael Farrar
Mike Farrar
Mike Farrar CBE is Chief Executive of the NHS ConfederationMike Farrar was previously a senior manager within the National Health Service of the United Kingdom and previous Senior Civil Servant....
as chairman of Sport England
Sport England
Sport England is the brand name for the English Sports Council and is a non-departmental public body under the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
.
Tennis career
In 1978, Lewis helped Great BritainGreat Britain Davis Cup team
The Great Britain Davis Cup team represents the United Kingdom in Davis Cup tennis competition and is controlled by the Lawn Tennis Association. The United Kingdom played in the very first International Lawn Tennis Challenge...
reach the Davis Cup final and he also played in the 1981 semi-finals. He also achieved a highest ranking of 68th in the world.
Lawn Tennis Association
After finishing his playing career, Lewis moved into sports administration joining the U.K. Lawn Tennis AssociationLawn Tennis Association
The Lawn Tennis Association is the national governing body of tennis in Great Britain, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.As the governing body, the LTA is responsible for the coaching and development of junior players, offering courses and qualifications on coaching, as well as the...
(LTA) in 1987, rising to become the its director of tennis, but agreeing to leave his position in the wake of a 2000 loss to Ecuador that led to reduction of British tennis's status from "World" to "Euro-African Zone".
Rugby Football League
Within a year of joining the RFL, Lewis oversaw reunification with the British Amateur Rugby League AssociationBritish Amateur Rugby League Association
The British Amateur Rugby League Association is the governing body for social and recreational rugby league in the United Kingdom...
(BARLA) after nearly 30 years of division.
Lewis, it was claimed by then Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
chairman Tony Chambers, showed his strong expansionist credentials in 2005 when he allegedly threatened to resign if Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
clubs did not back a plan to save London Broncos (now Harlequins Rugby League), although he denies this.
Under Lewis, plans for a Super League licensing system were introduced.
Through his position at the RFL, Lewis has become Chair of the Rugby League European Federation
Rugby League European Federation
The Rugby League European Federation is the umbrella body for nations playing the sport of rugby league football across Europe and the Northern Hemisphere. It supports the Rugby League International Federation . The RLEF "oversees and co-ordinates the development of the sport in all its member...
and Deputy Chair of the Rugby League International Federation
Rugby League International Federation
The Rugby League International Federation is the world governing body of rugby league football. It was formed in 1998 in Sydney, Australia. Its purpose is to, "foster, develop, extend, govern and administer the game of Rugby League throughout the world". Its headquarters are in Sydney, Australia,...
.
Following Nigel Wood's appointment as RFL Chief Executive in October 2007, Lewis's role increasingly focuses on developing rugby league in the UK and internationally.
In 2009, when Lewis took on the role of Chair of Sport England, his RFL title changed from Executive Chairman to Chairman.
richard.lewis [at] rfl.uk.com