Richard Lewis (tennis and rugby league)

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Richard Lewis is a former Davis Cup tennis player from Surrey and has been Executive Chairman of the Rugby Football League since 2002.^[1]

1 Playing Career
2 Administration
- 2.1 Lawn Tennis Association
- 2.2 Rugby Football League
3 References

[edit] Playing Career

In 1978, Lewis helped Great Britain reach the Davis Cup final and he played in the 1981 semi-finals.^[2]

During his playing career, in which he appeared in the Davis Cup, Lewis was ranked as high as 68 in the world.^[3]

[edit] Administration

[edit] 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.^[4]

After a loss to Ecuador, Lewis and the LTA parted company.^[5]

[edit] 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.^[6]

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.^[7]

Under Lewis, plans for a Super League franchising 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.^[8]

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.^[9]