Debbie was a member of the Gold Medal winning Water Polo team at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Debbie first made the Australian Team back in 1984, and captained the team from 1991-1994.
She was one of the more experienced players in the Olympic team having previously won gold medals at two World Cups and a World Championship.
Debbie had 3 years out of the National Team after the World Cup in 1995, but made a comeback when the announcement was made that Women’s Water Polo would be in the Sydney Olympics. Debbie soon made the national squad again in 1998 and was then chosen in the 2000 Olympic Team.
Debbie up until the age of 17 was a netball player, and due to a knee injury had to give the sport up. She then turned to Water Polo and has since gone on to have a very long and successful career.
Debbie is currently teaching PDHPE at Mackellar Girls High School, which is the same school that she attended. As a part of the School Sport Ambassador Program she will be talking to children from many different public schools about her sporting career and about the benefits that everyone can achieve through sport.
Megabite Apple was absolutely thrilled when he was told he was to interview Debbie....
Megabite:
Hi Debbie, it’s just fantastic to meet you. It’s been a while since
I’ve interviewed anyone and I’m so excited that I have so many questions,
but how about we start with who your toughest opposition is?
Debbie:
Hi Megabite, it’s great
to meet you too. Well let’s see…. our toughest opposition always changes,
however Holland seems to always get in our way.
Megabite:
Gosh, it must be hard to compete against so many good teams. What about your
worst ever injury?
Debbie:
I’ve had my right knee
reconstructed 3 times so that wasn’t much fun and I’ve also had a
chronic shoulder injury for the last couple of years, which has been quite painful
most of the time.
Megabite:
Wow, that doesn’t sound like much fun at all. What do you think has been
your biggest achievement in your sport?
Debbie:
Winning the Gold Medal at
the Sydney Olympic Games!
Megabite:
I can’t believe you have your very own Olympic Gold Medal. I think I would
stare at it all the time. Where do you keep it?
Debbie:
I can’t believe it either.
I don’t stare at it all the time, every now and then when I take it out
to show people, I do have to take two looks to believe it is mine. The medal
sleeps in a sock.
Megabite:
A sock! What is the best thing about competing in the Sydney Olympic Games?
Debbie:
Being able to play the game
I love in front of my family and friends.
Megabite:
That does sound amazing. With such a long career have you ever had a losing
streak?
Debbie:
No, not that I can remember.
Megabite:
Wow that’s pretty good. Do you ever have any bad times?
Debbie:
If you play well and lose,
sometimes you can’t do much more. If things aren’t going well you
have to remember the basics. The basics are what make you a good player.
Megabite:
I guess you’re right. One of those basics must be to eat well. Can you
tell me what are your favourite fruits.
Debbie:
Fuji apples and Sweet pineapple.
Megabite:
I am pleased to hear that apples are one of your favourites. So what about your
favourite vegetables?
Debbie:
I like lots of vegetables,
Zucchini, kumara, pumpkin and corn are all favourites and I’m also learning
to love mushrooms.
Megabite:
It sounds like you really do love your vegetables. What is your favourite food
in general?
Debbie:
After fruit and vegetables,
it would have to be seafood and spaghetti marinara.
Megabite:
I love spaghetti marinara as well, so tell me Debbie, If you hadn’t turned
out to be such a legend water polo player, what do you think you would have
chosen to do as a career.
Debbie:
Definitely a chef or a food
sampler!!
Megabite:
That sounds like my dream job too. What do you like to do in your spare time?
Debbie:
I love catching up with my
friends for coffee, going to the movies, the beach and of course just relaxing.
Megabite:
I guess with your training schedule, relaxing would on the top of your list.
Who would be your all time hero?
Debbie:
My Mum and Dad. They went
without a lot of things over the years to give me the opportunity to do what
I have done.
Megabite:
They sound like heroes to me too. Do you have any nicknames?
Debbie:
Yes I do, Doc, Jerry, Watto
and Watty.
Megabite:
I’m guessing Watto and Watty are because of your last name Watson. What
do you think is the best thing about playing sport?
Debbie:
I’ve made so many friends
and the travel is also pretty good.
Megabite:
I imagine you’ve seen a lot of the world whilst playing sport. What is
your favourite motto?
Debbie:
"You’re never
too tired when your team is defending" and "Always strive for your
personal best".
Megabite:
They are very good mottos. Debbie, thanks for spending the
time with us today and on behalf of the "F & V Gang" I would
like to wish you the very best and we look forward to cheering Australia on
to win another gold medal in Water Polo at the next Olympic Games in Athens
in 2004.
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