Commonwealth Games and FINA Diving World Cup medallist Declan Stacey has today announced his retirement from competitive diving.

Stacey departs the sport having left a lasting impact on the international and Australian diving communities.

After a long and successful career as a gymnast, Stacey came to diving at the age of 22 when he walked into his first session with the New South Wales Institute of Sport in Sydney.

From those diving beginnings in 2015, Stacey quickly rose through the ranks and found himself on his inaugural Australian team just 11 months after taking to the boards for the first time.

In his first event as an Aussie diver, Stacey claimed a bronze medal at the FINA Diving Grand Prix 2016 at the Gold Coast, spring-boarding himself onto the international stage.

From there Stacey continued his success, competing at two FINA World Championships, a FINA Diving World Cup, and multiple FINA Diving World Series events.

Stacey’s crowning achievement in diving came in 2018 at the 21^st Commonwealth Games where, alongside synchro partner Dom Bedggood, he claimed a bronze medal in front of a home crowd in the Men’s 10-Metre Synchro event, in the same pool in which he made his Australian debut.

Diving Australia CEO David Bell said that Stacey hit the ground running and never slowed down.

“Of all the diving careers that I have had the joy to follow, Declan’s must be the one to have fit so much in, in such little time,” Bell said.

“Declan has been a steadfast mentor for our pathways divers and is always the first to lend an ear to those who need it.”

“We will all certainly miss his unwavering tenacity at our events and look forward to welcoming him back as a member of our strong alumni community.”

Outside the pool Declan has been an active ambassador for Australian diving working alongside organisations including Clean Up Australia Day, Lifeline Australia, and the Australian Olympic Committee with their Olympics Unleased program.

Diving Australia General Manager, High Performance and Pathways Steven Foley highlighted the grit and determination that set Stacey apart.

“Declan proved that determination and perseverance in sport really pay off and his successful transition from gymnastics to diving at a later age than normal was simply remarkable,” Foley said.

“To become a National Squad member, a Commonwealth Games medallist and on track to become an Olympian in such a short time, is true testament to Declan’s talent and inner drive to be the best that he could be.”

“Declan was a wonderful team member, led by example and was a brilliant role model for our next generation.”

“Declan, thank you for being great.”