Murphy overjoyed to be back in Champion of Champions
Bowls Australia (BA) Hall Of Fame member Karen Murphy AM will be back competing on the national stage at the end of the month as The Nationals take centre stage on the Gold Coast.
Murphy will be the New South Wales representative in the women’s Champion of Champions tournament, an event that she conquered a decade ago in a year where she also claimed two World Championships gold medals.
The 47-year-old is excited to be back in contention for the coveted event, and looks forward to the challenge from her competitors.
“I’m really excited to be competing in a few weeks on the Gold Coast,” she said.
“It’s hard enough to get there by winning through your state event, which is a feat in itself, so I’m excited for some hard matches and to try and get a bit of form.
“But maintaining that form is the tricky bit.”
Since retiring from international duties in 2019, Murphy has transitioned into a coaching role as the National Assistant under Gary Willis, being part of the historic 2022 Commonwealth Games team that took home a staggering three gold medals.
But since she has not donned the green and gold in a playing capacity for three years, the opportunity of winning and representing Australia at the World Champion of Champions, an event she also won in 2013, is a dangling carrot for the former Jackaroo with her competitive drive still as strong as ever.
“I would love to win another one, I retired internationally three years ago and I’ve not played as much as I did but I really enjoy when I play,” Murphy said.
“I really prioritise when I play around my role at BA so the love for the game and the competitive streak in me has never strayed.
“It would be really lovely to wear the green and gold in a playing capacity again and any time you get a chance to represent your country is a wonderful opportunity but I’m a long way off that, I’ve got to have a good week at The Nationals first.
“If I do get there it would be special.”
Should the former Commonwealth Games and World Championships gold medallist replicate her feat from 2012, it would be the longest gap between titles by any bowler at the event, and she would join the likes of Carla Krizanic and Dawn Hayman as the only women to have claimed the tournament more than once.
There won’t be any respite after she’s competed though, as she’ll immediately switch to another of the many hats she wears, as coach and selector, as she watches the Australian squad members and prospective members battle it out in the fortnight extravaganza.
“Carla and Dawn are right up there as two of our great singles players and it’s been a great couple of years for them to have won the event,” she said.
“They’re both within out Jackaroos squad so I’m really looking forward to it, it’s going to be good fun up on the Gold Coast.
“I’ll be up there for a couple of weeks in my role as an Australian selector as well looking at our squad members and some new talent on the horizon.”
During the Nationals, Murphy will also be bestowed Australian bowls’ highest honour, as she is elevated to a legend in the Hall of Fame, alongside Steve Glasson OAM and Rob Parrella OAM, at the 2022 Hall of Fame and Awards Night on October 10.
