Australian lawn bowls legend and Illawarra Academy of Sport alumni Karen Murphy AM has been announced as one of eight individuals set to be inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
Murphy was an IAS athlete in 1990 and went on to represent Australia for 23 years in 668 tests and was described by the Sport Australia Hall of Fame as a “stereotype-defying trailblazer of the lawn bowls community, who elevated her sport well beyond its usual reach with her success at the elite level over a 20-plus year career.”
Murphy won a gold medal and three silvers across five Commonwealth Games. She also won four world titles.
The former Shoalhaven Heads lawn bowler said the Illawarra Academy of Sport played a huge role in her development towards becoming a professional athlete.
“My time at the IAS was fantastic,” Murphy said.
“The IAS had a huge impact on my career and it gave me an opportunity to play competitive lawn bowls against quality opposition.
“We had a great group of lawn bowlers at the IAS, with many of them going on to represent Australia.
“I was the only female of the group, so I enjoyed testing myself against the guys and it brought out the best in me and helped me develop my game.”
Murphy paid tribute to the bowls community and said she was honoured to receive such a prestigious award.
“This award is huge for lawn bowls and I share the honour with our whole bowls community,” Murphy said.
“It has been a big week for bowls with the announcement that the sport will be a part of the Commonwealth Games that will be held in Glasgow in 2026.”
Murphy is currently a coach with Bowls Australia and with the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics in the not too distant future, she was happy to share some advice with current Illawarra Academy of Sport athletes.
“Work hard, be open to feedback and be a sponge and take in all the feedback and information you are given,” Murphy said.
“Find yourself a good mentor and never give up, dreams do come true.”
Three-time world surfing champion Mick Fanning AO, former Kookaburras’ captain Mark Knowles OAM, Olympic hurdles gold medalist Sally Pearson OAM, motor sport great Mark Skaife OAM and dual-sport Paralympics champion Liesl Tesch AM were also inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
