Melville resident Thomas Dreverman is breaking all kinds of records in the water.
Camera IconMelville resident Thomas Dreverman is breaking all kinds of records in the water. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Local sports stars: Melville swimmer wins six gold medals at state meet

Headshot of Josh Zimmerman
Josh ZimmermanMelville Gazette

THOMAS Dreverman learned to swim at six months old and has rarely been out of the water since.

An accomplished swimmer, surf life saver and water polo player, 10-year-old Thomas is either training or competing up to seven times a week – twice weekly rising at 5am to squeeze in 5km in the pool before school.

The Melville resident turned in a herculean effort to compete in 14 events at the recent WA Junior Long Course Championships, picking up six gold and two silver medals for his efforts.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

He holds a slew of records for his age at South Shore Swimming Club and was also crowned the 10-year-old Nipper State Champion after setting new WA records in the 100m obstacles and 50m freestyle with fins events.

If that is not impressive enough, the Our Lady of Fatima Year 5 has been playing for Melville Water Polo Club in the Under-14 B-division State League since he was nine.

“I just love swimming and water activities and anything to do with water,” Thomas said.

“My two favourite strokes are butterfly and breaststroke but I like to swim all of the strokes.”

Outside of competing, Thomas is also a keen surfer, water skier and wakeboarder.

Thomas has been selected to the School Sport WA swimming team to compete at the Pacific School Games in Adelaide in December but already has his sights sets on an event much more prestigious than that.

“I’d like to go to the 2024 Olympics in Paris, probably swimming butterfly and breaststroke over the longer distances,” he said.

EXCLUSIVE: Doctor suspended, under investigation over death of unborn twin at King Edward Memorial Hospital

MORE: NBN agrees to move front verge cabinet on Alfred Cove family’s lawn

MORE: A marriage that stops traffic: Currambine guards married 46 years