Alan Lewis

First Test match refereed

Australia V Fiji
18/09/1998
Parramatta Stadium Sydney

Occupation

Managing Director - Insurance Brokerage

Biography

Started refereeing 1989 and progressed reasonably quickly. Injury ensured this path as cricket was my first priority then. I played cricket for Ireland for 13 seasons before retiring in 1997 when refereeing took centre stage. I was capped on 122 occasions which is an Irish record.

I have worked in the Insurance business all my life and have recently merged with another business. I am married to Sharon and have two children Robyn and Gaby. My three fillies as I call them! My other interest is golf and particularly when I am taking money off McHugh and Watson.

Favourite moment as a referee

First cap great thrill of course but undoubtedly France V Wales Stade de France Six Nations March 2001 first massive game for me in the Six Nations. Every Northern Hemisphere referees dream. Fantastic game and I felt I had arrived at that level.

Most embarrassing moment as a referee

Leaving a dressing room without cards one day and also in a club game where a prop got injured and this other player arrived from a distance. I said "it is a prop we need" He said "I am a prop" and everyone fell about laughing!!
Favourite rugby player
Fabien Galtie

Other hobbies/interests

Golf and cricket and my family in no particular order!

Tips

As Derek Bevan once told me "prepare for the worst and hope for the best" no better motto in which to treat every game.