The teenager is an accomplished sportsmen in Border footy and cricket but since being classified as a para-athlete in July he has hit new heights in track and field.

In the past three moths he has won the NSW all-school cross country as well as the 200-metre, 800-metre and long jump at the recent all-school track and field championships.

Declan, 14, lost his hearing in his right ear as an 18-month-old and recently lost all hearing in his left ear.

“His hearing is at an all-time low with only one implanted ear working while he waits for word from Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre for a surgery date to have his second implant fitted,” mum Tanya said.

“This hasn’t slowed him down one bit and he has never let his hearing impairment be used an excuse for failure or an excuse to not give everything 110 per cent.

“As a result of the track and field titles he will now go to Adelaide in December for the national titles.

“His achievements as an able-bodied athlete have been impressive enough to date but now with his new classification I fear we may have seen nothing yet as his achievements have been in the under-16s while he is still only 14.”

She said her son spent every weeknight training.

“It’s athletics Monday, Wednesday, Friday nights all year round — in summer it’s cricket and winter footy on Tuesday and Thursday night,” she said.