Debbie Watson OAM
Background
Debbie Watson has been arguably the finest female water polo player that Australia has ever produced. Having become a member of our national team in 1983, Debbie’s career has spanned 17 years at the elite level.
Voted the best player in the world in 1993, Debbie has led Australia to a string of World Cup and World Championship victories.
In 1995, Debbie decided to retire from international competition having achieved all of her goals she had set. However, she continued to promote waterpolo for women and for its inclusion in the Olympic Games. In 1998, for the first time in history, women’s water polo was added to the Olympic program.
This inspired Debbie to return to the pool after a three-year absence. Not only did she return to the pool, regain her spot on the Australian team and selection for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, but she was instrumental in the golden result achieved by her team.
Debbie has captained Australia, been World and World Cup Champion and has now created history by becoming the first ever Women’s Olympic Waterpolo Champion. This had been the only achievement that had eluded her. Debbie has also received nominations and awards, such as the Prime Ministerial award for her services to water polo, NSW Sports Women of the Year, NSW Sports Person of the year and Citizen of the Year.
She is truly a remarkable athlete and her personality endears her to everyone she meets. Debbie is an accomplished speaker and motivator and she has appeared numerous times on television such as Roy and HG, A Current Affair, Sports World, Good Morning Australia, appeared as a celebrity contestant on Gladiators and as a commentator at the 1998 World Championships in Perth.
She has achieved beyond all of her original goals and has now retired as an elite competitor. Debbie is currently coaching water polo and teaching Personal Development, Health and Physical Education at Mackellar Girls High School. She is also continuing successfully with motivational speaking and her role as an ambassador for water polo and women’s sport.
Major Achievements
1998 – 2000
- Member of Australian Women’s Water Polo Team - Gold medallist, Sydney Olympic Games
1983 – 1995
- Member of Australian Women’s Water Polo Team
- Gold medallist, 1986 World Championships
- Gold medallist, 1995 World Cup
- Gold medallist, 1984 World Cup
- Silver medallist, 1991 World Cup
- Silver medallist, 1999 World Cup
- Bronze medallist, 1983 World Cup
- Winner of International Tournaments in Italy, Holland, Hungary and the USA
1991 – 1995
- Captain of Australian Women’s Water Polo Team
1983 – 2000
- Member of NSW Women’s Water Polo Team
- National Champions – 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
1990 – 1997
- Captain of NSW Women’s Water Polo Team
Other Information
- Awarded Citizen of the Year, Manly Council (2001)
- Australia Day Ambassador for Manly Council (2001)
- Awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (2000)
- International Women’s Water Polo Player of the Year (1993)
- The Prime Ministerial Award For Outstanding Achievements to Australian Water Polo (1992)
- The Harry Quittner Medal for outstanding achievements in water polo
- Nominated 8 times for NSW Sports Women of the Year Award
- Debbie was a finalist in the NSW Sports Person of the Year Awards (1986)
Speaking Engagements
Television
- Sunrise Program, Ch7
- The Dream, Roy and HG, Ch7
- The Fat, ABC
- A Current Affair, Ch9
- The Millennium Show, Ch9
- SportsWorld, Ch7 (Feature Story)
- Sports Tonight, Ch10
- Host, Power Cuts – Foxtel Sports
- Interview, The Big Breakfast
- Interview – 7:30 Report
- Gladiators – Celebrity Contestant
- Sports Tonight – Interviews Women’s World Cup Water Polo
- Good Morning Australia – Interview
- Monday To Friday – Interview
- SBS – Interview Women’s World Cup
- Sports Sunday – Personal Profile and Issues in Women’s Sports
- ABC Sport – Interview Women’s Water Polo
- The Big Breakfast, Ch7
- Wide World of Sports – Interview Women’s Water Polo
- ABC Sport – Personal Profile
Radio
- Dead Set Legends, 2MMM
- Breakfast Show, 2KY
- 1983 – Present – 2GB, ABC, 2UE, Today FM, 2MMM, 2JJJ Radio Interviews
Other
- Guest Speaker and Presenter, University of New England
- Guest Speaker and Presenter – MLC Burwood
- Guest Speaker- NSW Women in Sport Unit
- Guest Speaker – Roseville Primary School
- Guest Speaker – ZONATA North Sydney
- Guest Speaker – Armidale Community Sports Awards
- Guest Speaker – NSW CHS Presentation Dinner
- Guest Speaker – Mackellar Girls High School
- Guest Speaker – The Forest High School
- Guest Speaker – Avalon Primary School
- Guest Speaker – Cromer High School Sports Awards
- Guest Speaker – Royal Far West Children’s Hospital
- Guest Driver – Melbourne Grand Prix