At the North West Swimming Championships in 2007, the Pannawonica Swimming Club’s “Panna Piranhas” achieved their best results ever.

This was one of the proudest moments for head coach Darryl Pires. Darryl became the Head Coach at the Club just over a year ago after completing extra training and getting his bronze medallion. Since then, Darryl’s success as Head Coach has been reflected by a huge increase in membership.

Outside of volunteering for the Swimming Club, Darryl works with Rio Tinto Iron Ore as a Contracts Project Officer. He has been working with the company in various positions for over twelve years in both Pannawonica and Cape Lambert.

Rio Tinto supports the Pannawonica Swimming Club through funding, providing Club shirts, and also by providing accommodation for the Swimming Championships in Karratha last year.

The Pannawonica Swimming Club’s 90 current members range from five-year-olds to ‘fifty-some things’. Members train twice a week, and swimming lessons are provided for the younger children. For Darryl, the next step for the Club will be to focus on developing the younger swimmers.

Darryl’s commitment to volunteering for the benefit of young people also extends to Auskick and junior cricket. Darryl says the best part about volunteering with kids is the “satisfaction in seeing how their skills have developed”.