Congratulations to Debbie Watson who was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in September.

DEBBIE WATSON 
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 water polo 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 Gold Medal result achieved by her team. 
Debbie has captained Australia, been World and World Cup Champion and has now created history by being part of the first ever Women’s Olympic Water Polo Gold Medal Team. 
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. 
Debbie has achieved sporting successes far beyond all of her original goals and has now retired as an elite competitor.
Debbie is currently coaching Water Polo and working at the NSW Institute of Sport as an Athletes Careers and Education adviser.
Debbie is also a motivational speaker and an ambassador for Women's Water Polo and women in sport. Debbie is a fine ambassador and supporter of the Energy Australia Live Clean Play Clean program.   

Major Achievements
1998 – 2000 Member of Australian Women’s Water Polo Team Gold Medalist, Sydney 2000 Olympic Games
1983 – 1995 Member of Australian Women’s Water Polo TeamGold medalist,
1986 World ChampionshipsGold medalist,
1995 World CupGold medalist,
1984 World CupSilver medalist,
1991 World CupSilver medalist,
1999 World CupBronze medalist, 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