Declan Budd is a para swimmer who was awarded a Tier 1 Scholarship within the 2026 Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship & Mentoring Program. He was paired with Australia’s most successful paralympic skier and SAHOF Legend Michael Milton OAM as his Mentor.
Declan is a 17-year-old from Terrey Hills NSW. A member of the Knox Pymble Swim Club, Central Coast Academy of Sport and NSWIS, Declan has quickly become a promising young athlete, known for his resilience, humility, and record-breaking performances.
Contracting pneumococcal pneumonia and swine flu at just 18 months old, Declan suffered an acquired brain injury and was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy and an intellectual disability. These challenges caused by this brain injury have shaped the qualities that now define his approach to elite sport—resilience, patience, and determination.
His journey into swimming began as a family rule: if you want to surf, you have to swim. Wanting to surf at 6 years old meant swim training was a part of his weekly routine. As soon as he was classified, Declan thrived in the competition pool, enjoying the challenge, friendship and acceptance in the swimming world.
Declan’s consistency prior to 2024 saw him quickly move up through the ranks in the swimming world. He first competed at the Australian Age & Multi-Class Age Championships in 2021, collecting numerous age MC medals. That early appearance marked the beginning of his journey in national-level competition, where he began building the foundation for his rapid rise in para swimming. That same year the Tokyo Australian Swimming Trials were his first trials, sneaking into the Mens 200 freestyle MC final alongside his idol Jack Ireland as a 13 year old.
2024 was Declan’s breakout year as a 16 year old, claiming the mens S14 short course world record in the 50m butterfly with a time of 25.7 seconds at the Australian Short Course Championships, and bringing home seven gold and two silver in the Open Mens MC events. He also dominated the 16-18 year old MC competition domestically collecting 11 gold medals at the School Sport Australia Championships, seven gold and one silver at the Australian Age Swimming Championships and representing Australia at the European Para Swimming Championships in Portugal. He also earned the title of Athlete with a Disability of the Year at the 2024 Regional Academies of Sport Inc (RASi) Awards.
The 2025 Australian Championships was a successful meet for Declan, winning his first Open Australian Long Course Title in the mens 100m butterfly MC, silver in the 200m freestyle MC and silver in the mens 100m backstroke MC. This was after claiming five gold and one bronze at the Australian Age Championships the week prior.
Later in 2025, Declan made his debut at the World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore as the youngest male and only rookie on the Australian Dolphins Team, earning his gold cap and Dolphin number #P329 for the S14 200m freestyle and the 100m backstroke. His success at this meet earned him the Commonwealth Games Australia’s Emerging Athlete of the Month for July.
His selection to the Australian team marked a pivotal moment in a career that began at age five in the Terrey Hills Swim Club pool under coach Rafael Rodrigues— their partnership, built on mutual respect and a shared mindset, continues to this day at Pymble Swimming.
Declan’s consistent results have fast-tracked his Paralympic ambitions from Brisbane 2032 to a realistic shot at Los Angeles 2028.
Outside the pool, Declan is juggling his HSC at Davidson High School in Frenchs Forest and earning his Certificate II in Construction. He also volunteers at Freshwater Surf Life Saving Club, continuing a 3rd generation family tradition. With a grounded mindset, a deep appreciation for his support network, and a clear vision for the future—including the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and LA 2028 Paralympics—Declan is looking towards a great future in the sport.
“Being chosen for the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship is a fantastic honour. As a 17-year-old S14 swimmer finishing school, I’m moving into the next stage of my life —balancing elite sport, career planning, and life beyond the pool. With the challenges of my disability, this mentorship will help me to build confidence, manage pressure, and make informed decisions. It will guide me through changing routines, support my training, and help me grow resilience in and out of competition. I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity — it will shape not just my sporting journey, but who I become beyond the blocks” – Declan Budd on being selected as 2026 Tier 1 Scholarship recipient.
Honours & Achievements
- 2025 Selected for Australian Swim Team and earned his Australian Dolphin number
- 2025 Australian Swimming Trials – 1st Place 100 fly, 2nd Place 200 free, 3rd Place 100 back
- 2025 Australian Open Swimming Championships – 1st 100 butterfly, 2nd 200 freestyle, 2nd 100 backstroke
- 2024 Australian Short Course Swimming Championships – 6 x 1st Place and 2 x 2nd (all individual)
- 2025 Australian Age Swimming Championships – 4 x 1st places and 4 x 2nd place
- 2024 European Para Swimming Championships – first international competition – made finals in all events
Social Links | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decky_b_swimmer/?hl=en
