The founder of Gravesend Dynamite has been involved in an England National Performance squad.

Jason Owen has been an instrumental figure, having formed Dynamite in 2013. His focus has generally always been on the success of the team - but Owen, whose son Max also plays for the club, isn’t a bad player himself!

After learning last month’s news, he said: “I’m thrilled to be part of the performance squad.

“My wife and my son, who have both been a driving force in helping me improve in the sport, were also so pleased when I told them. But I didn’t really tell many other people for about four weeks.

“I founded Gravesend Dynamite in 2013 and always put the development of the club in the local community as my and the club’s priority.

“But [I] decided, 18 months ago, to focus on developing my own level by playing for London Roosters in the Super League while keeping Gravesend Dynamite alive with [my] coaching.

“It's certainly been a busy period as we now have more players and more coaches at Gravesend Dynamite than ever before while London Roosters are in the play-offs of the Super League.”

Owen liked what he saw in his first England training camp in Manchester.

He added: “The England squad has some incredible players - many of which were part of the World Cup victory over France last year and others who have also come into the squad from clubs such as Leeds Rhinos, Hull, Wigan Warriors and Halifax Panthers - but the aspect that I was most impressed about at my first training camp was the wrap-around background staff and support team of physios, nutritionists, media, welfare support and team managers that complement the coaching team.

“The professionalism from everyone and the connection between everyone involved in the whole team is helping to make the England wheelchair rugby league team the best it can possibly be.

“The England coach, Tom Coyd, has got a remarkable ability to focus everyone’s mind on what can be achieved and what needs to be achieved.

“When he called me up to let me know I’d made the national performance squad, I was absolutely delighted. But it’s just one more tick in the right direction as far as I’m concerned.

“The sport is open to anyone - any age, any gender, people without disabilities, people with non-visible disabilities, people with physical disabilities - and the sport is getting bigger and bigger.”

Gravesend Dynamite won the Rugby Football League Challenge Trophy Final for the fourth consecutive time this year in Sheffield.