Tennis stalwart moves on
Tennis stalwart ends Downs’ love match
TENNIS: The Darling Downs tennis community is to lose one of its quiet achievers with the imminent departure of Stephen Murphy.
Murphy will return at the end the month to his home town of Adelaide after almost 12 years spent in Toowoomba.
His contribution to Downs tennis has been far reaching in administration, junior coaching and development and match officiating.
Murphy’s numerous tennis hats include his vice-presidency of the South Regional Assembly and athlete development manager role for the south region.
He is also a qualified Tennis Australia Club professional coach and this month Murphy became the only coach in the region to complete a Tennis Australia Master Club Professional course.
Murphy officiated at almost 50 tournaments from Brisbane to Roma during his time in Queensland while also attaining an ITF Seniors world ranking as a player.
He also gained a Tennis Australia Referee Level B qualification to become the only referee in the region.
Another of Murphy’s pet projects has been his role as curator of the Darling Downs Museum of Tennis at the Toowoomba Tennis Association (TTA) in James St.
TTA has indicated the museum will carry Murphy’s name as a tribute to his work in developing it.
In August this year Murphy received a Reward and Recognition award from Tennis Officials Australia for his service to all levels of tennis.
He has also been nominated in the Tennis Queensland Awards “Excellence in Officiating” category.
Finalists will be announced on September 29.
Murphy will take in a global tennis tour before resettling in Adelaide where he will continue his work as patron of Tennis For All Uganda.
“I leave Toowoomba on September 30 to start a two-month trip overseas which will include visits to the Wimbledon Museum and Library, and International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island,” Murphy said.
“I have been on a bit of a Cook's tour of Australia and the world for the last 40 years, after leaving home in 1977 to work as a sport reporter on The Dominion newspaper in Wellington, New Zealand
“I feel it is the right time to be returning to my home city of Adelaide, from where I will continue my tennis journey.
“But I will miss Toowoomba.
“This is a little gem of a city.
“I want to continue to return to Toowoomba at least once a year and will volunteer in the museum.
“My first return trip is already booked for Easter next year.
“Also, I will be starting a small scholarship to help fund a term's coaching for a child from a deserving family, four times a year.
“The scholarship will be to the value of $500 per year.”
❝ But I will miss Toowoomba. This is a little gem of a city.
— Stephen Murphy