INTERVIEW
Karen Maxwell discusses the power of
sport, developing partnerships, raising
participation and the Timothy Dutton
Enquiry with the chair of Sport England
Richard
LEWIS
ichard Lewis’ life revolves record in turning a sports organisation Partnerships
R
around sport. He plays ten- around is a likely reason why he was in- Lewis intends to mirror the RFL’s success
nis, he works out at the gym vited to chair the government funding story during his tenure at Sport England.
and enjoys walking and cycling body in April last year. “I believe that stability is not only what
when at home in Yorkshire. At work, Eighteen months earlier, Derek Mapp Sport England needs but what sport
he dons his rugby jersey for three days resigned the post in a row over Sport needs in general,” he explains. “The RFL
a week as chair of the Rugby Football England’s change of funding direction gained a reputation as a good work-
League (RFL) and the other two days from active pastimes, to more tradi- ing partner with sponsors, government
he’s tasked with leading Sport England’s tional sports. In contrast, Lewis is a agencies and local authorities. What
mission, together with chief executive traditional sports advocate; bringing Sport England is particularly good at is
Jennie Price, to encourage a million 30 years of management and develop- bringing people together and creating
more people to play sport regularly. ment experience to the role. Following partnerships for the benefit of sport in
“I’m a great believer in the power of a career as an international tennis player general – and this is the way forward if
sport and its positive role in society,” he and coach, he was appointed director we want to deliver our targets. It can’t
enthuses. “It’s an exciting and challeng- of tennis at the Lawn Tennis Association be achieved alone. It requires different
ing time to be involved – particularly from 1998 to 2000 before heading the organisations to work together to deliv-
leading up to the 2012 Olympic and RFL as executive chair from 2002 to 2009. er what everybody wants: more people
Paralympic Games.” He still chairs the Rugby League Eu- playing more sport, more often.”
His genuine enthusiasm and easy- ropean Federation and is deputy chair Sport England is part of a strong
going personality is a natural fit in this of the Rugby League International Fed- sports administration partnership with
dynamic industry, but his proven track eration, but he stood down from his UK Sport, the Youth Sport Trust and the
executive duties at the RFL to become Central Council of Physical Recreation
non-executive chair when he embarked (CCPR) – for which Lewis was previously
on his four-year term at Sport England. chair of the Major Spectator Sports Divi-
“It was basically a turnaround situation sion. According to Lewis, Sport England
at the RFL,” Lewis says. “It was in debt by also boasts good relations with the
£1.9m, a restructure had taken place with current government and opposition par-
a new board appointed and the chief ex- ties so “if there’s an issue to sort out it
ecutive and chair role was combined to can be dealt with quietly behind closed
give more authority. Coming from out- doors” – although he’s keen to stress
side the sport, I think I was able to bring the importance of “sticking to the cur-
independence and, together with cur- rent path, delivering what we’ve set out
rent CEO Nigel Wood, delivered stability to do and not to chop and change”.
to the organisation. Since 2002, the With a general election just three
RFL’s declared profits, it’s more family- months away, Lewis wants to keep to
orientated, supported by sponsors that this course of action regardless of what
fit well within this market and has wit- political party gets into government.
nessed increased participation.” “It’ll be up to us to respond to what the
I believe that sport is worthy of investment during difficult
economic times because of the positive role it plays in society
16 Read Sports Management online
sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84