By David Nagel
Cardinia Piranhas Swimming Club is making a big splash as the only swimming club in Cardinia Shire with one member making it all the way to the Australian National Championships this year.
Based at Cardinia Life in Pakenham, the Piranhas are a volunteer run, community based, not for profit swimming club, formed to promote swimming as an activity for fitness and a healthy lifestyle.
The Piranhas have grown from approximately 30 swimmers to almost 50-plus in the last 18 months with swimmers ranging from 8 to 17 years of age.
Season 2022/23 has been an immensely successful year for the club, with swimmers from Pakenham represented at the Victorian Metropolitan Championships, State Championships and the Australian National Championships which were held on the Gold Coast.
The Piranhas are very proud to have the club represented at the Nationals for the first time, with Emma Grave from Upper Beaconsfield competing in the 50-metre Backstroke event.
It is a major achievement for any young swimmer to attain a qualifying time and compete at the Nationals.
The club has enjoyed many successes at competitions throughout the season and many milestones were achieved by swimmers by clocking personal best times.
The Piranhas celebrated these successes at their recent presentation day, where they congratulated all swimmers on a wonderful year.
Overall champions and age-group champions were acknowledged, while the Ken Rich Memorial Award was also presented.
This award is in memory of the founder of the Piranhas, Ken Rich, and is given to both a senior and junior swimmer who demonstrated great strength of character and dedication towards their swimming.
This year’s awards went to:
• Overall Club Champions
Juniors: Raymond Grave
Seniors: Logan McEwen
• Ken Rich Memorial Award
Juniors: Willow Rogers
Seniors: Logan McEwen
• Age Group Champions
Female
9-year-old: Ruby Rogers, 10-year-old: Isla Morrison, 11-year-old: Isla Eagleton, 12-year-old: Addyson McEwen, 13-year-old: Eleanor Gargiulo, 14-year-old: Emma Grave, 15-year-old: Japneet Kaur.
Male
9-year-old: Ashane Dahanayaka Yapa, 10-year-old: Raymond Grave, 11-year-old Thenuka Rajanayake, 12-year-old: Prabhav Rallabhandi, 13-year-old: Jason Wang, 14-year-old: Casper Fyfe, 16-plus: Logan McEwen.
• Coaches Awards
Juniors: Peter Zhang
Intermediate: Nikita Pawson-Schreurs
Seniors: Ella Ratten
