With the genetics of a champion, 16-year-old Declan McGregor has the height, the hands, and the egg-beater kick, needed to play water polo at the highest level.

Declan’s father, Sam, should know. He started school at St Mary’s, Dubbo before his family moved to Crescent Head on the mid-north coast.

From there, he represented at school level and received an invitation to study at prestigious St Joseph’s College in Hunters Hill.

Sam’s genes fell close to home, and the three time Olympian now has a son aiming to follow a similar path.

At the 2024 National Under 17 Championships on the Gold Coast last week, Declan’s NSW side came second, only losing to Queensland in the final, 14-13.

Declan’s success, is another heartening development in our ever-growing pool of champions.