Champion and Advocate for Women in Cuesports

Julie Watson

Julie Watson is one of Australia’s most accomplished and respected cuesports players, known for her achievements across billiards, snooker, blackball, and 8‑ball. A multi‑time Victorian and Australian champion, she has represented her country internationally and built a reputation for resilience, and leadership both on and off the table. Beyond her competitive success, Julie is a driving force behind the growth of women’s participation in cuesports, helping shape the sport’s future through advocacy, governance, and community building.

A Standout Career in Billiards

Julie is one of Victoria’s most successful women’s billiards players, with a career spanning decades. She has won the Victorian Women’s Billiards Championship ten times — 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 — placing her second only to world champion Anna Lynch in the state’s history. She also claimed the Australian Women’s Billiards Championship in 2023 and finished runner‑up in 2024.

Her achievements extend beyond Australia. Julie has competed in major international women’s billiards events, including the New Zealand Women’s Open Billiards Championship, where she finished runner‑up in 2025 as well as runner-up in the Auckland Open Plate event and was the only female competitor. At the 2024 World Women’s Billiards Championships, she reached the semi‑finals and won the Plate event, further cementing her place among the sport’s elite.

Success Across Snooker, Blackball and 8‑Ball

Julie’s versatility across cuesports is rare and impressive. She won the Victorian Women’s Snooker Championship in 2022 and 2023, finishing runner‑up in 2024. In blackball, she became the Australian Women’s Blackball Champion in 2023.
Her 8‑ball career is equally distinguished. Julie represented Australia at the World 8‑Ball Championships in the United Kingdom in both 2002 and 2011, and she was part of the team that won the Australian Women’s 8‑Ball Championship in 2010, 2022 and 2023.

A Proven Doubles Competitor

Julie has also excelled in doubles competition, winning multiple state and national titles. Her partnerships include:

Victorian State Doubles Champion with Annalisa Polido (2005, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2023)
Victorian State Doubles Champion with Sue Jensen (2025)
Australian Women’s Doubles Champion with Isabella Di Giorgio (2022, 2023)

Her consistency across decades highlights both her skill and her ability to form strong competitive partnerships.

On the World Stage

Julie has proudly represented Australia in numerous international events, including:

World 8‑Ball Championships (2002, 2011)
World Women’s Billiards Championships (2024)
New Zealand Women’s Billiards Championship (2025)

She also competes regularly in major open‑grade billiards tournaments — often as the only woman in the field — such as the World Open, English Open, Pacific International, New Zealand Open, Auckland Open, and the Walter Lindrum Billiards Championship. Her presence in these events continues to challenge expectations and inspire other women to step into open competition.

Leadership and Contribution

Julie’s impact on cuesports extends far beyond her playing achievements. With Tammy Lindrum, Julie is co-founder and current secretary of the Women’s Billiards and Snooker Network Incorporated, an organisation dedicated to supporting, promoting, and expanding opportunities for women in the sport.

She has held several key administrative roles for other organisations, including:

Secretary, Victorian Billiards and Snooker Association (2023–2024)
President, Victorian Women’s Superleague Association (2024)
Secretary, Pool Victoria (2004–2005)

Julie was also organiser of the Australian Women’s Billiards and Snooker Championship in Hampton, Victoria, with record numbers of participants, contributing to the growth and visibility of women’s events at a national level.

Her leadership is grounded in a deep commitment to fairness, inclusivity, and the belief that women deserve equal opportunity and recognition in cuesports.

Life Beyond the Table

Julie lives in Harkaway, Victoria, with her husband and a lively collection of animals. She is a proud mother of four and grandmother of three. Outside of cuesports, she works full‑time as a Senior Payroll Compliance Specialist, bringing the same precision and diligence to her professional life that she brings to the table.

Fom 2018 to 2020, Julie served as a volunteer firefighter, participating in major bushfire campaigns during the devastating 2019–2020 season. Her service was recognised with a citation from the Premier of New South Wales — a testament to her courage, community spirit, and willingness to step forward when others need help. Julie also plays weekly tournaments with her beloved Boronia RSL billiards team