James Bardill is a 19-year-old (2025) who has been ballroom dancing since he was 6, living in Broome, WA. Since November 2023 he has been a dedicated teacher at Ballroom Fit. Founded by Darryl Davenport OAM, in 2017, Ballroom Fit is not just a dance school; it is a supportive and welcoming community for everyone. Darryl has created an incredible environment where everyone feels safe and included. Darryl’s expansive group of coaches and volunteers help to continue to keep this community alive and growing. New coaches to mentor students, volunteers to organise events and students eager to learn are joining all the time. Ballroom Fit has grown from only a few members to over 100 dedicated students, coaches and volunteers. James has a wide variety of students, ranging from Ability Dance, for people with intellectual disabilities, to Para Dance, which is wheelchair dancing typically done with a standing partner, but it can also be done solo or with two wheelchairs dancing together. He also coaches some mainstream dancing too. He loves to teach with Ballroom Fit because there are always things happening, floorshows, competitions or other events. “I also love the stories some of my students tell me.” He spoke. “I chose to teach with Ballroom Fit to give me experience with not only teaching but also wanting to share my love for dance and help others.”
James Bardill with his students Ashlea Armstrong, Danielle Stitfall, Deborah Hegarty, and Brook Canham at the 2023 Night of Stars National DanceSport Championship.
When asked “what are some of your students’ dancing successes?” he answered, “Some success I’ve had with my students, I’ve had ability champions, and most notably a Para Dance Latin Champion, and Hong Kong Semi Finalist.” James and his Para Dance partner, Danielle (Danni) Stitfall, recently competed at the Hong Kong International Para DanceSport competition where they overcame personal bests. Danni and James have been dancing together since early 2024 and the partnership is very successful, the couple have competed nationally at quite a few competitions, and they have been awarded marvellous results, quickly becoming national champions. The couple are aiming to compete overseas in 2026.
James Bardill competing with his student Danielle Stitfall at the 2025 Hong Kong International Para Dance Sport Championship.
James is currently focusing on his dancing career with his partner Isabella Zammit. They have been dancing together since 2023 and have achieved amazing results, most notably they won 4 national titles at Perth competitions and several national titles over east. He is planning on studying the real estate course starting later this year and continuing into 2026. Balancing work, home and dance life is easy for James, he is currently working as a special needs’ education assistant at his local primary school so having school hours works well for him because he has more time for dancing and his home life. “Dancing is my life, so whenever I’m at dancing it isn’t classified as a “job” to me, because I love it.” He sets aside free time to pursue his other passions, “that’s important for my mental and physical health.” James will forever be on the hunt for new passions, but he will always be dancing.
James Bardill with students Deborah Hegarty, Danielle Stitfall, Brokke Canham, Siria Lochrie, Ashlea Armstrong and Kaley Devine in 2023.
Article written by 16 year old Para Dancer, Siria Lochrie.
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