'I'm really passionate about women's basketball' - Murphy named new island coach

Following Patrick Ogier’s resignation after 24 very successful years at the helm of Guernsey women’s basketball, he will be succeeded by an impressive former pupil of his.

Murphy’s own basketball career was a multi-faceted one.

She picked up the game as a Swedish schoolchild and later played for Reading Rockets in the UK’s National League before arriving in Guernsey and making a sporting impact.

She began working for the Guernsey Sports Commission in 2010 and spent several years as an impactful player – and even captain – of the Island basketball team.

A meniscus tear in 2017 spelt the end of her playing career, and she stepped down from her long GSC service in 2021, but now she has a new and exciting sporting aim.

‘It’s no secret that it’s something I’ve wanted for quite a while and I am really passionate about women’s basketball,’ she said.

‘I am really excited to be leading the team.

‘It’s a really successful team and they are big shoes to fill – Pat has been around for a long time.

‘We’ll see what happens next.’

Murphy feels that her first six months in the post will be about going ‘back to basics’ and working towards the 2024 inter-insular.

The Island Games situation is somewhat murkier, amid an apparent lack of basketball at Orkney 2025, but she is entertaining the idea of returning to National League play.

She feels there is ‘definitely interest’ in the National League but is also mindful of other factors, particularly the cost involved.

‘I really want to make sure it’s not me that’s pushing everything.

‘It’s a collaboration between me and the players,’ she added.