MATILDA ‘Tilly’ Buchholz. Remember that name.
It just might pop up in 2032 at the Brisbane Olympics.
But, that green and gold dream is still five years and countless laps of Macksville’s pool away for the 11-year-old swimming sensation from South West Rocks.
Right now, Tilly is making the swimming world sit up after winning 11 gold and one bronze medal over multiple distances and disciplines at a recent state-level Catholic schools meet in Sydney.
That performance followed a new NSW 400m freestyle age record and her being named female swimmer of the meet at the recent Country Short Course Championships at Sydney’s Olympic Park Aquatic Centre in July.
Renee Pickvance, Tilly’s Macksville Marlins coach of five years, says she’s seen many good young swimmers in her 20-year career. None had her young charge’s overall ability and sheer determination.
What makes Tilly Buchholz special?
“Heart,” says Pickvance.
“Her work ethic is why she’s getting these results. She turns up for every session and gives 110 per cent every time.
“Tilly loves to win, and she loves hard work – she thrives on it. In fact, I have to make her ease up to manage her workload.”
Tilly Buchholz excels at every stroke over every distance from 50m to 400m.
“She’s winning some of her longer races by five and six seconds,” said Pickvance.
“Winning 11 gold medals at any state-level meet is unheard of. She deserves the accolades, and I hope it helps to keep her motivated.”
Genetics has helped too. Her parents were competitive swimmers: dad Luke in the surf, mum Kristie in the pool.
They know their daughter is on another level.
“They reckon I’m a fish,” Tilly laughs.
“They support me heaps.”
You have to be totally supportive of your child’s goals to get up at 4.30am on a cold, winter’s morning to drive the 100km-plus round trip from the suburb of Arakoon at South West Rocks to Macksville four mornings a week, then repeat the journey in the afternoon.
Tilly’s maturity belies her 11-almost-12 years.
One of the most physical of sports, she describes swimming as ‘a mind game’.
“Strategy is everything and 90 per cent is mind,” Tilly said.
“I know my body can do it because I’ve done the training and have the stamina. That’s given me the big motor you need at the back end of long races to bring it home.”
Her race times matter most.
“Medals are just a bonus,” she says.
“I’d rather lose but record a good time, than win but not have raced well.”
She’s training for national school titles in November, but the big test will come in 2028 when Tilly turns 13 and is eligible to compete in the age nationals.
“It will be exciting to challenge myself against the best of the best in my age in Australia.”
Does she have what it takes to be a future Olympian? The question gives her coach pause.
“She has the talent and the work ethic to go all the way,” said Pickvance.
“But, I’ve seen a lot of very talented young swimmers get to 15, 16, or 17 and give it away. More than half drop out: they realise there are other things besides pounding out laps day after day.”
Tilly’s very aware of the risk of burnout. She knows talented young swimmers who’ve walked away from swimming.
To widen her sporting focus, she competes in triathlons and team sports like AFL.
But, the pool is her ‘happy place’ and the route to her 2032 Olympic dream.
“If I come home from school stressed about something, I feel so much better when I dive into the pool,” she says.
“Everything goes silent… I just swim.”
– Laurie Sullivan
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