Doctors told Augustine Murphy he would not walk again six years ago.
The promising young footballer from Granville had just undergone his third brain surgery, after falling off a monkey bar and having a small seizure as a small child.
This surgery removed the part of the brain that controlled coordination and strength of his right arm and leg.
It was a day that confined Murphy to a wheelchair and could've spelled the end of his goals of representing Australia.
But the Saint Patrick's College student simply refused take no for an answer.
Since that operation, Murphy has relearned to walk, run and, crucially, kick a football.
He is now set to represent the Pararoos in the team's historic international friendly against Canada at Cromer Park this Saturday.
"Before all this happened I used to have seizures and it was taking over my life. It was getting bad, getting worse," Murphy told www.pararoos.com.au.
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"The operations got rid of my seizures, but my doctors told me I might not ever be able to walk again. That was devastating to hear that.
"But I couldn't imagine not walking again. I was like, 'yeah, I have to walk again'. I made sure it would happen. I made sure I would run again."
After relearning to walk and run again, Murphy and close friend would train seriously to get back onto the path of becoming a professional player.
He now trains 5-7 days a week, and often twice a day.
"I'm always at risk of over-training.
"But I enjoy it, and it's at a point where some of the other aspects of my life I find difficult because it's not football, and that's all I know really!"
Murphy, who is Pararoos cap number 52, found the back of the net in stunning long-range style the last time Australia played Canada, which was at the 2019 IFCPF World Cup in Spain.
He is now relishing the chance to do the same in Sydney's northern beaches this weekend.
"You never thought it would come to this, that you get the play in front of your friends and family for Australia, on this sort of stage."
For Murphy, it is the reward for staying in the mindset of a permanently optimistic person.
"Try and achieve whatever you think of," is the Sydneysider's advice to young people chasing their goals, whether it be inside or outside of the footballing realm.
"If you want to achieve something that's never been achieved before, don't say to yourself that it can't happen.
"Surround yourself with people who are trying to help you who, who are like-minded like you.
"And don't give up because if you give up you're never going to do it."
The clash against Canada on November 30 will be the Pararoos’ first clash on home soil since the Paralympic Games in 2000.
“To be honest. I don't think I can describe the experience. It's going to be one of a kind, and one that I'm going to cherish forever,” he said.
100 per cent of ticket sales from the match will be invested into the Pararoos, helping to ensure that there are continued opportunities for the squad.
Kick-off is at 5.30pm AEDT with tickets on sale now at pararoos.com.au.
Pararoos 14-Player Squad | Australia v Canada – International Friendly | Saturday, 30 November 2019 | Cromer Park, Cromer, NSW
|
Name (Cap) |
State |
International Caps (Goals) |
|
Ben ATKINS (27) |
New South Wales |
70 (8) |
|
David Barber (C) (1) |
Queensland |
99 (70) |
|
Christopher BARTY (35) |
Western Australia |
33 (0) |
|
Timothy BLOWES |
New South Wales |
0 (0) |
|
Jeremy BOYCE |
New South Wales |
0 (0) |
|
Connor BUNCE (55) |
Western Australia |
7 (4) |
|
Daniel CAMPBELL (53) |
New South Wales |
13 (2) |
|
Cosimo CIRILLO (49) |
Victoria |
8 (1) |
|
Matthew HEARNE (46) |
Victoria |
20 (2) |
|
Taj LYNCH (51) |
New South Wales |
14 (1) |
|
Angus MACGREGOR (44) |
Victoria |
10 (1) |
|
Augustine MURPHY (52) |
New South Wales |
9 (1) |
|
Christopher PYNE (2) |
New South Wales |
102 (20) |
|
Benjamin ROCHE (16) |
New South Wales |
52 (28) |
Pararoos v Canada
Date: Saturday, 30 November 2019
Venue: Cromer Park (South Creek Road, Cromer, NSW)
Kick-off: 5.30pm AEDT
Tickets: Tickets on sale now via pararoos.com.au (100 per cent of ticket sales invested back into the Pararoos)