A RUGBY club in Darlington has launched its very first wheelchair rugby team.

Darlington Mowden Park has teamed up with the North East Bulls to form a brand new team - the DMP Bulls.

The newly formed team will compete in Division One of next season’s BT Super Series – the highest level of wheelchair rugby club competition.

They will begin their campaign on Saturday, September 30 in the first of three weekend mini-tournaments.

The North East Bulls, formally Newcastle Bulls, was the first wheelchair rugby club based in the region.

Mick Birch, chairman at Mowden Park, said: “It is absolutely fantastic that we are able to welcome the Bulls into the Mowden Family.

“I am personally thrilled to have them as part of this wonderful club and I am looking forward to seeing them develop over the coming years.

“Our Club now has more than twenty teams regularly turning out and I am certain all of our current members will be as equally pleased to see another side wearing Mowden Park colours.”

Lee Rust, managing director at Mowden Park, said: “We are delighted to finally make the announcement and to welcome our newest Club team and members.

“As well as thanking the Bulls volunteers and players we must also pay tribute to our Community Programme and staff who have put a huge amount of work into making the partnership happen.

“The result is a fantastic reflection on both parties and the shared values and intents,” he added.

The club has celebrated its formation by signing Coral Batey, who was part of the Paralympics GB squad that competed in Rio last year.

Speaking about the the team’s prospects, Graeme Smith, DMP Bulls Chairman, said: “We are really looking forward to starting the season as an official Mowden Park team.

“The partnership is a real positive for wheelchair rugby in the region and we hope it will help us progress as a team in years to come.”

Dale Thompson, regional development officer for GB Wheelchair Rugby, added: “It is great to see that a partnership has been formed between the two clubs.

“Mowden Park are a big club with a good family ethos which will coincide nicely with the Bulls values.

“It’s an excellent step forward for both parties and I hope both clubs can benefit greatly from the partnership.”

For more information about next season’s BT Super Series, visit gbwr.org.uk, and for more information about Mowden Park Rugby Club, visit www.mowdenpark.com