The Titans are proud to congratulate Gold Coast NRLW head coach Karyn Murphy on being awarded life membership of the Queensland Rugby League, announced on Thursday night.
Inducted alongside Wayne Bennett, Bruce Hatcher, Mal Meninga, Des Morris and Eddie Ward, the bestowment is another extraordinary honour to a career that has helped shape the history of women’s rugby league in Queensland and Australia.
For more than two decades, Murphy has been at the heart of the game - first as a trailblazing player who helped establish women’s rugby league on the national stage, and now as a coach and mentor helping shape its future.
Captaining the Queensland team that never lost an Interstate Challenge fixture against New South Wales for 16 years, QRP #1 made 20 appearances for her state following her debut.
These achievements were matched on the international stage, playing 27 Tests for Australia from 1998 until her retirement after leading the Jillaroos to their first World Cup win in 2013, having been part of three previous campaigns before that.
Murphy finished her decorated playing career with 192 games for the Souths Logan - all as captain - earning herself a place in the Magpies' Hall of Fame alongside the likes of fellow QRL life member inductees Bennett and Meninga.
Post retirement, Murphy held roles on the coaching staff of both Queensland and the Jillaroos alongside being the lead investigator at the NRL Integrity Unit, until joining the Titans as NRLW head coach and director of female rugby league in 2022.
One of the most respected figures in the game, she remains among rugby league’s elite as a member of the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame since 2024.
Titans CEO Steve Mitchell said Murphy’s accolade was a fitting recognition of a life dedicated to the game in Queensland.
"Karyn has given so much to rugby league - particularly for her state - that it’s difficult to put her immense contribution into words," he said.
"She was a pioneer who helped open doors for generations of women who followed, and she has continued that work as a coach, mentor and leader here at the Titans.
"To have the record she holds with Queensland, to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and now to be recognised with QRL life membership is just a small snapshot of her extraordinary collection of achievements.
"But Karyn's legacy goes well beyond the accolades. It's the people she has inspired, the players she has developed and the belief she has instilled in so many young women that they can have a place at the highest level of our game.
"We see that every day at the Titans. Karyn is not simply coaching a team; she is helping build the future of women's rugby league.
"We are incredibly proud that a person of Karyn's character, experience and standing is leading our NRLW program and on behalf of everyone at the Titans, I congratulate her on this very special honour."
