Iain Lewers (born 5 January 1984) is a field hockey player from Northern Ireland who represented Ireland, England and Great Britain at international level. He represented Great Britain at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics. He was also a member the England teams that won bronze medals at the 2011 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship and 2014 Commonwealth Games. He also represented England at the 2013 and 2015 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championships and at the 2014 Men's Hockey World Cup. In both 2014 and 2015 Lewers was named the England/Great Britain Player of the Year by the Hockey Writers' Club.

Iain Lewers
Personal information
Born (1984-01-05) 5 January 1984 (age 40)
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Height 183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight 79 kg (174 lb)
Playing position Defender/Midfielder
Senior career
Years Team
199x–2007 Annadale
200x–200xUlster
2007–2010 HGC
2010–2011 Loughborough
2011–2014 East Grinstead
2014Uttar Pradesh Wizards
2014–2017 Holcombe
2016–2017Delhi Waveriders
2017–2019 Wimbledon
National team
Years Team Caps Goals
2004–2008 Ireland 88
2011–2016 Great Britain 72 (4)
2011–2016 England 74 (7)
Medal record
Representing  England
Commonwealth Games
Bronze medal – third place 2014 Glasgow Team
European Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Mönchengladbach
Last updated on: 10 June 2019

Early years and education

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Lewers was educated at Cairnshill Primary School,[1] Wellington College Belfast,[2][3][4] and Ulster University where he gained a Bachelor's degree in Sports Science and Management.[5]

Domestic teams

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Annadale

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As a youth Lewers played for Annadale.[6][7] He was also a member of the Annadale team that won five Ulster Senior League titles between 2002–03 and 2006–07.[4][8] Lewers also scored for Annadale in the 2006–07 Irish Senior Cup final as they lost 4–3 to Glenanne.[9] His father, David Dewers, had played for Annadale in the 1984 Irish Senior Cup final.[10] While playing for Annadale, Iain Lewers also represented Ulster at interprovincial level.[7][11]

Between 2007 and 2010 Lewers played for HGC in the Hoofdklasse.[12][13][14] Together with John Jermyn and Barry Middleton, he was a member of the HGC team that finished as runners up in the 2007–08 Euro Hockey League.[15][16][17] He also helped HGC finish as runners-up in the 2009–10 Hoofdklasse.[1]

Men's England Hockey League

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Lewers played for several clubs in the Men's England Hockey League including Loughborough, East Grinstead, Holcombe and Wimbledon.[18][19][20][21][22][23]

Hockey India League

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Lewers also played in the Hockey India League. In 2014 he played for Uttar Pradesh Wizards. At the 2014 auction he was initially selected as a replacement. However, due to injuries he was subsequently called up to play the season.[24][25] During the 2016 and 2017 seasons he played for Delhi Waveriders.[23][26]

International

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Ireland

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Between 2004 and 2008 Lewers made 88 senior appearances for Ireland. He made his senior debut for Ireland in a 2004 Celtic Cup match against Wales. He had previously represented Ireland at under-16 and under-18 levels.[7][27] He was a member of the Ireland team that won the 2005 Men's EuroHockey Nations Trophy.[4][11][28] He also represented Ireland at the 2006 Men's Intercontinental Cup,[28] the 2007 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship,[29][30] and at the 2008 Men's Field Hockey Olympic Qualifier.[7][31] In July 2008 the Irish Hockey Association announced that Lewers was switching allegiances from Ireland to England/Great Britain.[7][14][32]

Great Britain

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Between 2011 and 2016 [33] Lewers made 72 senior appearances for Great Britain. Having previously played for Ireland, Lewers had to wait for three years before he was eligible to play for Great Britain. He eventually made his Great Britain debut against Malaysia at the 2011 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.[1][7][34] He subsequently represented Great Britain at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics[2][35][36][37]

England

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Between 2011 and 2016 Lewers made 74 senior appearances for England. He made his senior debut for England in June 2011 against Pakistan. He was subsequently a member the England teams that won bronze medals at the 2011 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship and 2014 Commonwealth Games. He also represented England at the 2013 and 2015 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championships and at the 2014 Men's Hockey World Cup.[1][37][38][39][40] In both 2014 and 2015 Lewers was named the England/Great Britain Player of the Year by the Hockey Writers' Club.[41][42][43]

Tournaments Place Team
2005 Men's EuroHockey Nations Trophy[4][11][28] 1st   Ireland
2006 Men's Intercontinental Cup[28] 8th   Ireland
2007 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship[29][30] 7th   Ireland
2008 Men's Field Hockey Olympic Qualifier[7][31] 4th   Ireland
2011 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 3rd   Great Britain
2011 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship     England
2011 Men's Hockey Champions Trophy 6th   Great Britain
2012 Summer Olympics[2][35][36] 4th   Great Britain
2012 Men's Hockey Champions Trophy 2nd   England
2012–13 Men's FIH Hockey World League Semifinals 3rd   England
2013 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship 4th   England
2012–13 Men's FIH Hockey World League Final[37] 3rd   England
2014 Men's Four Nations Cup[44] 4th   England
2014 Men's Hockey World Cup[38] 4th   England
2014 Men's Hockey Investec Cup[45] 1st   England
2014 Commonwealth Games[37][39][40]     England
2014 Men's Hockey Champions Trophy[46] 7th   England
2014–15 Men's FIH Hockey World League Semifinals 3rd   Great Britain
2014–15 Men's FIH Hockey World League Final 6th   Great Britain
2015 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship 4th   England
2016 Men's Hockey Champions Trophy 4th   Great Britain
2016 Men's Four Nations Cup[47] 2nd   Great Britain
2016 Summer Olympics[36] 9th   Great Britain

Source:[1][4][37]

Personal life

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Since 2012 Lewers has been in a relationship with Georgie Twigg, the England/Great Britain women's international.[48][49] In 2019 they became engaged.[50]

Honours

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Great Britain
England
Ireland
HGC
Annadale

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Player Profile – Iain Lewers". www.englandhockey.co.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Former pupil stars for Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics". www.wellingtoncollegebelfast.org. 20 September 2012. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  3. ^ "Olympian Iain Lewers returns to WCB". www.wellingtoncollegebelfast.org. 7 December 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ a b c d e "Iain Lewers". www.wellingtoncollegebelfast.org. Retrieved 7 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ "Iain Lewers". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  6. ^ "Juniors". www.annadale.co.uk. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g "Iain Lewers, Hockey's Hope". www.culturenorthernireland.org. 23 January 2012. Archived from the original on 14 October 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  8. ^ "History". www.annadale.co.uk. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  9. ^ "Annadale beaten in Irish decider". news.bbc.co.uk. 1 April 2007. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  10. ^ "Dale dream of cup glory". www.newsletter.co.uk. 30 March 2007. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  11. ^ a b c "Nine Ulster stars in Irish squad". news.bbc.co.uk. 16 August 2005. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  12. ^ "Title pretenders out to dethrone Annadale". www.newsletter.co.uk. 1 October 2007. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  13. ^ "Ireland star who made decision to go Dutch". www.irishtimes.com. 21 May 2008. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  14. ^ a b "Docherty backs former internationals in switch". www.irishexaminer.com. 1 January 2010. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  15. ^ "EHL Final: HGC 0 Uhlenhorst 1 (after silver goal)". www.hookhockey.com. 11 May 2008. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2019.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  16. ^ "EHL final: Iain Lewers' viewpoint". www.hookhockey.com. 12 May 2008. Archived from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2019.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  17. ^ "Hockey: Irish pair unlucky in Euro final". www.independent.ie. 12 May 2008. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  18. ^ "Iain Lewers – Appearance summary". w.fixtureslive.com. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  19. ^ "10 current or former Loughborough students named in Rio hockey teams". www.lboro.ac.uk. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  20. ^ "Iain Lewers". www.theargus.co.uk. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  21. ^ "Holcombe Hockey Club sign George Pinner from Beeston and Iain Lewers from East Grinstead". www.kentonline.co.uk. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  22. ^ "Hampstead and Westminster 1 Wimbledon 3". www.thewimbledonclub.co.uk. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  23. ^ a b "Belfast-born Great Britain star Iain Lewers calls time on glittering hockey career". www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 3 April 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  24. ^ "Ulsterman Iain Lewers set for six-week Indian adventure". www.bbc.co.uk. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  25. ^ "Iain Lewers and Mark Gleghorne to show magic touch in Hockey India League". www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  26. ^ "New additions build hope for Delhi Waveriders at Coal India Hockey India League 2016". hockeyindia.org. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  27. ^ "By the numbers – Ireland's Olympic return in stats". www.hookhockey.com. 4 August 2016. Archived from the original on 11 January 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2019.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  28. ^ a b c d "Ireland squad for China named". www.irishtimes.com. 17 March 2006. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  29. ^ a b "Ireland v Spain - 2007 EuroHockey Nations Championships - Mens Pool B Photos". www.sportsfile.com. 19 August 2007. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  30. ^ a b "Ireland v Netherlands - 2007 EuroHockey Nations Championships - Mens Pool B Photos". www.sportsfile.com. 21 August 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  31. ^ a b "Irish men prepare for Olympic qualifiers". www.rte.ie. 28 November 2007. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  32. ^ "Lewers declares for GB". www.hookhockey.com. 17 July 2008. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2019.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  33. ^ "Iain Lewers dejected by Great Britain squad omission". www.bbc.co.uk. 7 December 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  34. ^ "Lewers cleared to play for Great Britain in May". www.hookhockey.com. 10 February 2011. Archived from the original on 15 February 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2019.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  35. ^ a b "London 2012: NI man Iain Lewers named in GB Olympics squad". www.bbc.co.uk. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  36. ^ a b c "Iain Lewers". www.sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  37. ^ a b c d e "Iain Lewers". www.teamgb.com. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  38. ^ a b "Iain Lewers spot on for England at hockey World Cup". www.express.co.uk. 10 June 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  39. ^ a b "Iain Lewers Profile". glasgow2014.com. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  40. ^ a b "Lewers and Gleghorne celebrate medal". www.bbc.com. 3 August 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  41. ^ "Iain Lewers and Susannah Townsend named UK players of the year by Hockey Writers' Club". www.telegraph.co.uk. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  42. ^ "Hinch and Lewers scoop Hockey Writers' prizes". www.sportsjournalists.co.uk. 21 January 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  43. ^ "Lewers and Hinch named Writers player of the year". ehlhockey.tv. 21 January 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  44. ^ "England lack cutting edge as Belgium snatch victory". www.express.co.uk. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  45. ^ "How England hockey players' rated at Investec London Cup as Commonwealth Games looms". www.telegraph.co.uk. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  46. ^ "Hockey Men's Champions Trophy 2014: England reach quarter-finals as Iain Lewers strikes late". www.telegraph.co.uk. 9 December 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  47. ^ "Belgium 2–2 England". tms.fih.ch. 17 July 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  48. ^ "Olympic hockey 2016: Team GB couple Iain Lewers and Georgie Twigg are serious about Rio". www.standard.co.uk. 7 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  49. ^ "Law student Twigg hesitant over international hockey future". www.teamgb.com. 30 November 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  50. ^ "Meet Georgie Twigg – Surbiton HC". eurohockey.org. 11 April 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
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