Paisley Piranhas put the bite into opposition

Jun 8 2012 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

THREE youngsters from the Paisley Piranhas Swimming Club made a huge splash when they represented the West of Scotland at a national championship event.

The swimmers, Toni Napolitano, 18, Graeme McNeil, 20, and Matthew Knowles, 17, all reached the finals of the Scottish Senior Championships for swimmers with a learning disability in Scotstoun Leisure on May 19.

Graeme achieved gold for his 25m back crawl and silver in the 50m front crawl.

And Toni achieved silver in the 25m front crawl event.

The West of Scotland team was also overall winner.

The club, run by Renfrewshire Council’s Active Schools Team, caters for swimmers with learning and physical disabilities from childhood into adulthood.

Councillor Iain McMillan, convener of the council’s Community and Family Care Policy Board, said: “My congratulations go to each of these young athletes for their achievements.

“This is wonderful news for their swimming club and for Renfrewshire.

“Paisley Piranhas does an excellent job in offering training and competition opportunities to young people with disabilities.”

Ten swimmers from the Paisley Piranhas will be competing at the Jubilee Gala on Sunday, June 10, at Drumchapel swimming pool in Glasgow with four of them competing for the first time.

Four swimmers from the club – Ryan McLelland, Jennifer Costello, Graeme McNeil and Toni Napolitano – have been put forward for selection for the Special Olympics in Bath August 2013.