This will be our first time competing at the Deaflympics, and we have been training intensely to represent Australia on the international stage. However, the path to the Deaflympics comes with significant financial challenges. As a deaf/hard of hearing swimmer, we rely entirely on self-funding as currently , there is no support from our current government for federal funding for elite deaf athletes, there is only support for para and able-bodied athletes.

Each swimmer needs to raise $6,500 to cover essential costs such as:

·       Travel and accommodation

·       Uniforms and team preparation

·       Competition entry fees

·       Promotional and awareness campaigns to grow support for deaf and hard of hearing swimmers

·      The 2 Deaf Brothers (Dylan aged 22) and James (aged 18) made Australian history being the first 2 Deaf brothers to compete and medal in the same event at a Deaf Swimming World Championship in 2023 Argentina

·      Combined the 2 brothers have achieved the below:

o  Represented Australia Internationally at Deaf Swimming world Championships coming home with 3 bronze medals and 8 top 10 rankings and several top 15 rankings. (Dylan Brazil 2019, Argentina 2023/James Argentina 2023)

o  Broken 37 Australian S15 Records

o  Won 5 gold ,12 silver and 8 Bronze national medals at Australian National Age and Open Championships

o  131 Podium top 3 finishes at State Championships level in under 5 years

o  Won Male Para Swimmer of the Meet at Victorian Country Championships, Para Male Swimmer of the Meet at Victoria Metro State Championships, Male Para Boys age group Champion on 3 separate years at Victorian State Championships, Geelong Disability Award finalist, Barwon Sports Academy Overall Swimmer Award over 4 years and School Sports Victoria Blue Ribbon Para Swimmer Award

o  Represented Victorian State team and School Sports Victoria at Australian School Sports National Championships over 5 years.