Declan Sutton and the town that gave us Phillip Hughes and Greg Inglis

Declan Sutton is the fresh prince of the pool and from a Mid-North Coast valley which produced legendary sport stars in Phillip Hughes and Greg Inglis.

Declan Sutton is adored by the Macksville community, who would like nothing more than to see him represent Australia. Photo: Chris Knight.

When it comes to producing sports champions, a small town on the Mid North Coast is a heavy hitter.

Macksville lays claim to two mega stars in recent times alone - swashbuckling Test batsman, the great and late Phillip Hughes, and rugby league international Greg Inglis.

So there must be something in the water at the settlement by the banks of the Nambucca River, and in a literal sense, that’s where Macksville’s next big thing is right at home.

Declan Sutton, 19, has long been making waves as a national swimmer of promise.

Now he’s looking to take some big steps on the potential - and put himself in the conversation to represent his country.

At 191cm (6 foot 3 inches in the old scale), Sutton has morphed from a slightly-built kid to a young man growing into an impressive frame.

Life's simple and a balancing act for Declan Sutton who fits studies and work around an exacting training regimen at the Macksville pool. Photo: Chris Knight.

He made the Olympic trials last year for the belated Tokyo Games - and while he came up short of a Dolphins’ berth he banked the knowledge.

“I went down there (the trials in Adelaide) as an experience - to see what I have to do,” Sutton said.

His pet events are the 100-metre free, fly and back - and for now, he has time on his side.

“Many swimmers don’t peak until they are 30. Paris (host of the next Olympics in 2024), that would be sick, but even Commonwealth Games would be great,” Sutton said.

Currently studying physiotherapy at university at Port Macquarie, Sutton realises he may have to relocate to take the next step in his swimming education.

“I’ll probably look to transfer (studies) to the Gold Coast so I can train with the big (swimming) squads up there,” he said.

That he’s already come this far is testament to his drive - given the Macksville pool was unheated until last year and used to close over winter.

“It’s so much better (with a heated pool). It’s made a big difference training-wise and it also helps with motivation,” Sutton said.

As it is, he’ll continue to juggle a life far removed from Games glamour - working as a kitchen hand at the local Ex-Services club, studies and endless laps in the now warm waters.

Eyes on the end goal. Declan Sutton at the now heated Macksville pool. Photo: Chris Knight.

“I train Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays - twice a day. Two hours in the morning and an hour-and-a-half or more in the afternoon,” Sutton said.

“I think about technique and each stroke. But sometimes you zone out and then I realise ‘okay, I’ve just finished a set’.”

For its part, Macksville has embraced the humble and ever-polite young man with typical small town zeal.

The locals are just willing him on to be all that he can.