Shepparton's Carter Swift reflected on the experience of competing at the Commonwealth Games.
Photo by
Ray Sizer
Shepparton-raised freestyle sprint specialist swimmer Carter Swift paid tribute to his roots in the city as he looked back on the “amazing experience” of representing New Zealand at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
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The 27-year-old is an esteemed graduate of the Shepparton Swimming Club, having first embarked on his journey to stardom in the Goulburn Valley under the tutelage of Willomena O’Callaghan at the age of just eight.
He swam for ten years in the city, with the legendary coach having nurtured his talents all the way through to national age-group finals and Vic State titles events, before her retirement.
“My mum and her family into swimmers and when we moved to Shepparton, myself, my brothers and my younger sister all took to swimming,” Swift recalled, speaking to the News from Queensland.
“It quickly became quite competitive between myself and my older brothers and that drove me to continue.”
Carter Swift at the Victorian Age Short Course Championships in 2012.
Nearly two decades on, his career has since taken him to the United States, where he swam for Eastern Michigan University and Arizona State University, becoming a nine-time NCAA Division 1 All-American during his time stateside.
Training under Bob Bowman - who coached Olympic icon Michael Phelps - as part of his ASU scholarship, this proved to be the launchpad for his future successes.
Having been born in Taranaki, New Zealand, he has represented the Aqua Blacks with distinction on the international scene ever since and now trains under one-time World Championships and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Thomas Fraser-Holmes.
After clinching the current Kiwi national record in the 100m Freestyle (SCM) back in August 2022, he set his sights on glory on his maiden appearance at the Commonwealth Games in 2026.
Swift certainly lived up to his billing in Glasgow with an impressive showing in the men's 100m freestyle, with his time of 49.40s effort putting him fourth in the heats - to set up a semi-final showdown.
Michelle Swift (front) with her sons (from left) Kalen, Brennan and Carter in their youth.
Looking back over his experience down at Tollcross International Swimming Centre, the Goulburn Valley competitor was pleased with his showing.
“The 100m freestyle is probably the most loaded event for men there, in terms of the depth across the field - there were a ridiculous amount of Olympic medallists competing,” he said.
He followed this up with a time of 48.77 seconds in the semi-final to earn a spot in the final, where he eventually placed eighth after posting a time of 49.07s, as Australian’s Flynn Southam took gold with 47.13s.
“I went all-in in the semi-finals, racing near to my PB ahead of the final that night. I just raced it in the final which was an amazing experience,” Swift reflected.
“It was a testament to all those figureheads throughout my career, it’s been a long career so far but to get international experience, travelling the world, swimming has given me a lot in return.
“Without the guidance of Willomena at Shepparton, I think my whole life would be in a very different state.
“The support of her and Aquamoves nurtured me as a person, it’s been a pretty incredible career so far.”
Brendan and Carter Swift during their days with the Shepparton Swimming Club back in 2014.
Photo by
Simon Bingham
Prior to this, he had come agonizingly close to earning a medal as part of the New Zealand mixed 4x100m freestyle relay team - which broke the nation’s all-time record in the event with a time of 3:24.82 in the decider.
Swift started things off for his country 48.67 seconds - missing his all-time personal best by just 0.01 seconds.
While this wasn’t enough to earn a medal, as Australia took gold, England claimed silver and Wales sealed bronze, Swift was proud to have formed part of a quartet that made history.
“One of the Welsh female swimmers had a super swim and we had a bad flip of the coin but that’s just how the sport works sometimes,” he added.
“Travelling up to Glasgow was awesome, the experience was next to nothing.
“It’s a beautiful place, with awesome friendly people - it was cool to be amongst that. The swimming was sold out and you could see the passion of the Scottish people, which was awesome.”
“It’s been surreal to go to a Commonwealth Games and to be alongside the whole New Zealand team was just an amazing experience - they are legends in their own sports in their own right.
“Coming together with one common goal to be successful for New Zealand was very eye-opening.”
