Trailblazing coach Anthea Murray powers PNG Lewas ahead of World Cup Qualifiers

PNG Lewas strength and conditioning coach Anthea Murray (Image: CPNG)

As the PNG National Women's cricket team prepares for the Women’s East Asia Pacific World Cup Qualifiers in Fiji starting September 7, 2025, much of the team’s competitive edge will come from the strength and conditioning expertise of Coach Anthea Murray. Working alongside head coach Mahuru Dai, Murray is ensuring the players are physically prepared to compete at the highest level. The team leaves for Brisbane on August 31 for final preparations.

Murray’s journey into high-performance coaching began in 2022 with the ASCA Level 1 certification, supported by the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee, and progressed in 2024 with ASCA Level 2 training in Melbourne through Cricket Australia. These experiences have equipped her with the knowledge and skills to develop elite athletes in a demanding international environment.

“Every athlete’s potential can be unlocked with the right preparation, guidance, and mindset. Cricket is not just about runs and wickets, it’s about resilience and trust,” Murray said.

A former competitive swimmer representing PNG from age nine, Murray brings a deep understanding of discipline, mental toughness, and peak performance to cricket. She has worked with elite female athletes, national under-19 teams, and senior men’s squads, honing a philosophy that blends physical preparation with holistic athlete development.

From L: coach Anthea Murray (second, backrow) with PNG Lewas players and coaching staff at Amini Park (Image: CPNG)

Murray is also a pioneer in a male-dominated high-performance space, using her journey to inspire the next generation of female coaches in Papua New Guinea.

“Strength & Conditioning is not just a job, it’s a calling. My vision is to establish a High-Performance Institute in PNG to provide young athletes with world-class coaching, testing, and education,” she said.

Murray said strength and conditioning is the practice of training the body to perform at its best by improving strength, speed, endurance, agility and flexibility. It also focuses on preventing injuries and helping the body recover faster through targeted exercises and conditioning. In short, it’s about turning raw talent into a strong, resilient and high-performing athlete.

With her guidance, the PNG Lewas are entering the qualifiers stronger, faster, and more resilient, ready to represent their nation with confidence. Her leadership is a testament of the growing influence of female coaches in elite sport and the impact of high-performance training in raising PNG’s international sporting profile.