CROQUET NEWS:  Murphy in Aussie Squad

12 January 2007
Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
by Kyle Mackey-Laws in The Queanbeyan Age, Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia

JUMPING FOR JOY: Tim Murphy shows off the skills that see him representing Australia in croquet just four years after taking up the sport.

A Queanbeyan sportsman has been selected to represent Australia in croquet.

Tim Murphy received the perfect Christmas present when he was notified of his selection in the A-Series against New Zealand in February.

It continues a meteoric rise up the rankings for the relative rookie, who admits to never having expected the call-up.

"I found out through e-mail that I had been selected and I was really rapt," he said.

"I hadn't been thinking about it at all because my main focus had been getting selected to play for State.

"Six months ago I looked at the rankings and thought I was a chance, but I still didn't rate my chances." The world number 98 player will travel to Auckland in February to play the three-day event, which focuses on developing players from both nations.

While just in its second year, the A-Series is designed to give talented players the opportunity to experience international competition, and help them continue their game towards playing at the highest level.

All players that have represented Australia are ineligible to compete.

The tournament is based on a singles format, with medals being awarded to the winner and runner-up, and Murphy admits the Australian team will be looking to take back all the spoils.

"It's parallel with other sports really where whenever it's the green and gold versus the black and white then automatically there is competition and tension."

Murphy, who took up croquet when illness forced him to stop playing golf, is amazed at his development after first picking up a mallet just four years ago.

"About 18 months ago I put pen to paper on what I wanted to achieve - and State selection was on top of the list - but I had given myself four to five years to achieve that goal, so it's a pretty big surprise to now be playing for Australia."