Water Polo NSW is delighted to share the recent recognition of two remarkable women in Australian water polo: Debbie Watson has been awarded Life Membership at Water Polo Australia, while Patricia Jones has been inducted into the Water Polo Australia Hall of Fame. Both honours acknowledge their significant contributions to the sport over many decades.

Debbie Watson: Olympic Champion and Dedicated Advocate

Debbie's water polo story began in 1983 when she first joined the Australian Women's Team, where she played until 1995 before returning for another stint from 1998-2000. Throughout her career, she showed both skill in the pool and dedication to improving the sport for women.

From 1991-1995, Debbie captained the national team, showing her natural leadership abilities. Since being selected for the Australian Women’s Team in 1983, Debbie has always pushed for equal opportunity for women in water polo, speaking up for better opportunities and recognition.

Olympic Gold in Sydney 2000

In 1998, Debbie made the decision to come out of retirement - a choice that led to her being part of the gold medal-winning team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. This win was particularly special as it was the first time women's water polo was included as an Olympic sport.

"Coming back to compete in 2000 wasn't easy, but it was worth every early morning and every tough training session," Debbie once said about her comeback. "Winning at home in Sydney, with our friends and family watching, made all the hard work worthwhile."

Beyond Playing

After hanging up her cap, Debbie stayed involved with water polo in many ways:

• Travelling with junior and senior teams as a manager and assistant coach
• Coaching National League teams at UTS Balmain and Sydney University
• Supporting younger players as they developed their skills
• Sharing her knowledge as a commentator at five Olympic Games (2004-2020)
• Providing expert commentary for numerous Olympic Games and local competitions like the National League
• Contributing to the sport's development as a WPNSW board member

Her commentary work has been particularly valuable, helping TV viewers understand the finer points of water polo while sharing stories from her own experiences in the sport.

Patricia Jones: The Woman Who Fought for Olympic Inclusion

Pat Jones played a crucial role in the development of women's water polo in Australia during the 1960s and 70s. Her work behind the scenes helped create opportunities for today’s female players.

In 1969, Pat became the first manager of the NSW women's team, and in 1976, she took on the same role for the national women's team. But it was her persistent campaign for Olympic inclusion that really made history.

The Push for Olympic Inclusion

In 1990, Pat took on the role of Chairperson of the Women's Water Polo Gender Equity Committee for the Australian Sports Commission. With this position, she began working to get women's water polo included in the Olympic Games.

The path wasn't smooth - for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, FINA (the international swimming federation) only offered an 'Olympic year tournament' in Holland rather than actual Olympic inclusion. Disappointed but not deterred, Pat switched her focus to getting women's water polo into the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

What happened in 1997 has become part of Australian sporting folklore. Pat organised a protest that made headlines across the country - she and members of the Australian women's team greeted the FINA president and officials at Sydney Airport wearing only their swimming costumes and water polo caps.

This attention-grabbing protest, along with years of meetings and lobbying, finally paid off. In October 1997, the announcement came that women's water polo would be included in the Sydney 2000 Olympics - 100 years after men first played the sport at the Games.

A Career of Breaking New Ground

Pat's work in water polo extended far beyond the Olympic campaign:

• She worked with Elza Thompson from Victoria to start the women's interstate championships in 1969
• She managed Australian teams multiple times (1968, 1970, 1974, 1977, and 1991-1994)
• From 1983-1992, she helped establish the Port Hacking club
• She managed NSW State Teams throughout the early 1990s
• She coordinated support for women's water polo through WPNSW
• Her advocacy included direct action such as:
• Meeting with Olympic officials from SOCOG and the AOC
• Planning the Sydney Airport protest that caught media attention
• Making her voice heard in a SOCOG meeting with IOC President Jacques Rogge

Pat wasn't just an administrator - she understood water polo from every angle, having been a player and referee in Sydney competitions.

Well-Deserved Recognition

Pat's work has been acknowledged with some important honours:

• In 1995, she received the Harry Quittner Medal from Water Polo Australia
• In 1996, she was given the Prime Ministerial Women in Sport Award

These awards highlight just how much Pat has done to create opportunities for women in the sport.

Coming Full Circle

The stories of Debbie and Pat connect at an important moment - the first Olympic Games to include women's water polo and the gold medal won by the Australian team.

While Pat worked for years to open the Olympic door, Debbie was one of the players who walked through it and brought home gold. It's a perfect example of how change happens in sport - some people fight for opportunities, and others show exactly why those opportunities matter.

An Impact Still Felt Today

The work of both women continues to benefit Australian water polo. More girls and women play water polo now than ever before, building on what Debbie and Pat started.

Lucy Warhurst, CEO of WPNSW, says: "Anyone who knows water polo in Australia understands just how much Debbie and Pat have given to our sport. They've both worked incredibly hard to make water polo better, particularly for women and girls."

We can see their influence today in results like the silver medal won by the Aussie Stingers at the 2024 Paris Olympics under coach Bec Rippon. Australian women's water polo has grown from fighting for inclusion to becoming one of the world's best teams.

Well-Deserved Honours

Water Polo NSW is thrilled to see Debbie and Pat recognised with these important honours. Debbie's Life Membership and Pat's Hall of Fame induction are richly deserved after all they've given to the sport.

Their achievements show how sport can change when passionate people get involved - both as players and as advocates. Few people are more deserving of these honours than Debbie Watson and Patricia Jones.

Get Involved!

Want to be part of the sport that Debbie Watson and Patricia Jones helped shape? Water polo is a fantastic way to get fit, make friends, and develop skills both in and out of the water. Whether you're looking to play socially or competitively, there's a place for you in the pool!

Find your local water polo club today