The S14 swimmer battled swine flu when he was just 18 months old, leaving him with brain damage and a mild intellectual disability that impacted his speech.

After participating in the Para Start Strong in High Performance Sport program, Budd now sees that goal as more achievable and exciting than ever.

The educational program, which wrapped up in October, is a collaboration between the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and Paralympics Australia and is designed to support pathways and developing para athletes to enter the world of high performance sport.

Delivered in a similar format to the successful 2023/24 Start Strong program, it featured eight online webinars with presentations from current and alumni Paralympians.

“It was great to hear from those that have been on the path before me and the opportunities available to athletes,” Budd said.

“I learnt lots of things I didn’t know which has made me even more enthusiastic to make an Australian team.  It has also provided links to people in para sport that I can go to for information.”

More than 100 para athletes took part in the program along with several parents and supporters, including Budd’s mum Giselle, who described the sessions as ‘invaluable’.

“As a parent, it was great to see the support networks available, listen to stories from Paralympians, see the opportunities available through sport, and realise that if he continues to work hard, his goal is achievable,” she said.

“My two favourites were the Social Media webinar and the Community Engagement webinar.  They have both given Declan an incentive to see how his speech therapy is worthwhile for him to achieve goals, so from a parent's perspective, that has been great.

“I honestly don’t know how the athletes before got through without this program.”

To find out more about the Para Start Strong in High Performance Sport program contact professionaldevelopment@ausport.gov.au.

For more guidance and opportunities for para athletes starting or continuing their sport journey visit The Start Line on the Paralympics Australia website.