Swimming: Milla Theobald on the rise in club scene

Milla Theobald in action at the Swim Rotorua club meet at the Rotorua Aquatic Centre. Photo/Stephen Parker.

Milla Theobald may only be a tiny little thing but she knows how to make a splash when it comes to swimming.

The 10-year-old Otonga Primary School pupil was one of several Swim Rotorua athletes in action at the club's meet at the Rotorua Aquatic Centre on the weekend.

Milla said she had been feeling confident about competing after some standout performances at last weekend's Auckland junior swimming champs.

The youngster featured with her preferredswim stroke, butterfly, smashing her personal best time in the 50m.

"It's my favourite style. I really like butterfly."

She is also pretty handy in some of the other styles, showing good technique in the freestyle.

"Probably Lauren Boyle and Sophie Pascoe are my favourite swimmers. I like how they are good at all the different styles."

Milla said she hoped to one day be like them and swim for New Zealand.

For now, she is happy staying put in Rotorua under the tutelage of head swimming coach Alastair Johnson.

"He is a really good coach and has taught us a lot about swimming and is always showing us ways to make our styles better."

Johnson said there were a number of strong swimmers in the club and the main focus was to build the depth so the club could produce more elite swimmers such as open-water champion Kane Radford.

"They are really good kids, it's been quite easy to get them fired up."

He said the club was focused on developing its stocks of first-time swimmers.

"Our focus at the moment is to really nurture and develop those younger kids."