Murphy signs contract extension

Table Tennis Australia (TTA) is pleased to announce that National Head Coach (Able-Bodied) John Murphy has signed a two year contract extension until the end of 2024.

Murphy joined TTA in late 2018 after seven years as Head Coach for Ireland and over the past two years the Able-Bodied High Performance Program has gone from strength to strength. 

Under Murphy's leadership, Australia qualified maximum quota places for the Tokyo Olympics and has dominated Continental level events. Ongoing training environments have also been set up around the country and more than 10 medals have been won at international events since he stepped into the position.

With great momentum building towards the Tokyo Olympics and 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, TTA Chief Executive Officer Scott Houston said he was thrilled to be able to offer Murphy a contract extension. 

“John came to us two years ago when the Able-Bodied High Performance Program was in a period of transition. We knew the potential was there,  but John has certainly impressed us with raising the bar in a short space of time,” Houston said.

“He has built an incredible culture within the National Squad, which has no doubt contributed to Australia qualifying the maximum number of spots for the Tokyo Olympics. He’s also done some brilliant work in nurturing our younger talent so they not only have potential to be internationally competitive at senior level, but well-rounded individuals as well.

“The TTA Board and I understand and appreciate that generating high performance results requires a long-term investment and mentality. It has been fantastic to see the progress made to date and we have full confidence that John is the right person to lead the program well into the future, alongside Simon Gerada and Eva Jeler.”

Murphy, a 10-time World Championship representative for Ireland and a 5-time Irish Men’s Singles Champion, said he was delighted to be able to continue his work as Australia aims to produce more internationally competitive players.

“When I took on the job in October 2018, Tokyo and Birmingham were the major goal and while that still is my focus as we head into 2021, I am so pleased I will be able to continue my work in building more players to perform on the international stage, and help our existing National Squad reach new heights over the next four years,” Murphy said.

“Australia has so much great talent, and it’s only a matter of time that we see some of that new talent unleashed as we look to Birmingham and Paris.

“This is a really wonderful opportunity I’ve been given, and I’m grateful to TTA for providing me an environment to guide the team from now until 2024.” 

Murphy’s contract extension follows on from news last week that TTA had re-signed Head Coach (Para) Alois Rosario for a further four years.