JUST eight months after its launch, Dorset's first wheelchair rugby club has proved so popular it has had to move to a new larger venue.

The Dorset Destroyers were founded last September and were soon inundated with enquiries from potential players.

They started with just five players but this soon increased to 17 and a waiting list of others eager to join.

The unexpected success prompted club founders Nick and Sue Coombs and Paul Sutherland to look for a new larger venue and arrange additional training sessions.

The club has now moved from Broadstone to Rossmore Leisure Centre and will be starting a second training session for new players in September.

Nick said: "Demand has been so high that after just three months in our last venue we have had to leave Broadstone and move to our new home, Rossmore Leisure Centre in Poole, to accommodate more players, which in the long term is a great thing for the club as we are going into the league next year and are looking for more classifiable players to join in.

"We're still looking to buy more wheelchairs and and are looking for a sponsor or several sponsors as we are joining the league next year playing alongside ex and future players of Team GB.

"It will be a great opportunity to support the Dorset Destroyers as we go from strength to strength and see our players aiming for the top."

Sue said they continued to be amazed by the interest in the Destroyers. "We hoped it would be successful but we really had no idea and we certainly didn't think it would take off so quickly. We are pinching ourselves.

"The majority of our players have been with us since the start and the feedback we get is that it has changed their lives, that they really love being able to participate in such a competitive, aggressive sport.

"When the second training session starts in September, that will be ideal for new players who want to give it a go and familiarise themselves with the rules."

For more information visit the Dorset Destroyers website or Facebook page.