- Richard Lewis (tennis and rugby league)
Richard Lewis is a former
Davis Cup tennis player fromSurrey and has been Executive Chairman of theRugby Football League since 2002. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/1899640.stm "Lewis picks up league baton"] , "BBC", 28 March 2002]Tennis Career
In 1978, Lewis helped Great Britain reach the Davis Cup final and he also played in the 1981 semi-finals. [ [http://www.therfl.co.uk/about/page.php?id=158&areaid=42 "About the RFL"] , "The Rugby Football League", 13 May 2008] He also achieved a highest ranking of 68th in the world. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/1899640.stm "Lewis picks up league baton"] , "BBC", 28 March 2002]
Administration
Lawn Tennis Association
After finishing his playing career, Lewis moved into sports administration joining the
Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) in 1987 and rising to become the LTA's director of tennis. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/1899640.stm "Lewis picks up league baton"] , "BBC", 28 March 2002]After a loss to Ecuador, Lewis and the LTA parted company. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/840167.stm "Lewis just had to go"] , "BBC", 18 July 2000]
Rugby Football League
Within a year of joining the RFL, Lewis oversaw reunification with the
British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA) after nearly 30 years of division. [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/jun/01/rugbyleague.sport "Multi-tasking Lewis a southerner happy to work at northern union"] , "The Guardian", 1 June 2007]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 (nowHarlequins Rugby League ), although he denies this. [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2005/mar/08/rugbyleague.andywilson "Lewis denies quit claim over Broncos vote"] , "The Guardian", 8 March 2005]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 theRugby League International Federation . [ [http://www.therfl.co.uk/about/page.php?id=158&areaid=42 "About the RFL"] , "The Rugby Football League", 13 May 2008]Following
Nigel Wood 's appointment as RFL Chief Executive in October 2007, Lewis's role increasingly focusses on developing rugby league in the UK and internationally. [ [http://www.therfl.co.uk/about/page.php?id=158&areaid=42 "About the RFL"] , "The Rugby Football League", 13 May 2008]References
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