Australia Day Ambassador
Debbie Watson OAM
Ambassador for Ku-ring-gai Municipal Council
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.
