Gravesend Dynamite are about to head into their 10th season - and they will do so in style!

Wheelchair rugby club Dynamite were formed in 2013 by coach Jason Owen, and they have enjoyed their fair share of success since their inception.

He said: “I formed the club in September 2013 so we will be entering our 10th year from September, although our 10th anniversary will not be until 2023.

“When I first set up the club, I didn’t expect it to make such a difference.”

They recently won the national Rugby League Challenge Trophy in Hull thanks to an 82-40 victory over Mersey Storm.

With the competition not taking place in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic, it’s the third successive time Gravesend have won the tournament after a 2019 win over Hull and a success over Warrington last year.

“It was a strong team we were up against in Mersey Storm,” reflected Owen, who was impressed by the performance of Euan Huckle while Dan Grant captained the side.

“They were unbeaten in their league campaign up north. They have got some experienced players but, in the end, it was a really good 82-40 win.

“It was a really well-organised event up in Hull. We were missing two or three players but still had a strong squad.

“It was a tiring day because some of us left at 5am, but it was worth it.”

Players aged between seven and 70 are involved at Gravesend Dynamite, who are focused on supporting those with mental disabilities as well as physical ones.

Membership numbers have dropped at the club since the pandemic, with Owen saying 10 to 12 now come regularly, but he hopes those numbers can raise once again soon.

“Unfortunately since lockdown, I think a lot of sports have had similar problems,” he said. “We have struggled a bit in the last 18 months.

“We have, usually, 10 to 12 regular members.

“We are trying to get the numbers back up. We will welcome anyone that wants to give it a try.”

Although no final plans have been made, Owen hopes a tour for the whole club can be arranged at some stage next season.

He stated: “We are thinking of probably doing a tour. We have had some tours in the past as a senior team to Hertfordshire and Wales and places like that and, quite often, we have come away with victories.

“But this time we are thinking of a whole club tour - like a weekend away and maybe to have some kind of commemorative shirt. But we are open to ideas.”

Gravesend play in Wheelchair Rugby League Championship South, however some of their players play in the Super League, too.

“Because they have been allowed to dual-register, you can register for two clubs as long as they play in different leagues,” Owen explained.

“So a lot of our players have played for London Roosters in the Super League.

“That’s a good opportunity for them to test themselves.”

Find Gravesend Dynamite Wheelchair Rugby League on Facebook to contact them for more information.