Australian water polo legend Debbie Handley is among the Class of 2027 to be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF). The ISHOF will host their 62nd Annual Honoree Induction Ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA on Saturday, April 10, 2027.
Trailblazer Debbie Handley was a pioneer of women’s water polo in Australia and she was selected on the first Australian women’s team in 1976 — widely regarded as the first women’s international team, against USA in Hawaii.
She accrued 93 caps for Australia during the next 13 years, the final 10 years (69 games) as the national captain, leading the Australians in two World Championship campaigns, a FINA silver medal as a demonstration event in 1982 and a FINA gold medal in 1986 — the first official World Championships. Handley also competed in six FINA Women’s World Cup tournaments — at that time the pinnacle of women’s water polo pre-Olympics and World Championships.
She was awarded Australian Water Polo’s highest award, the Harry Quittner Medal.
Handley will be among the 12 honorees from 11 different countries to be honoured in 2027/
