Southampton’s wheelchair rugby club are aiming high.

Team Solent Sharks haven’t been established long but, already, they are planning ambitious developments.

Competitively, the Southampton Solent University associated team are aiming for promotion to the top flight of the Great British Wheelchair Rugby Super Series.

On top of that, they are drumming up interest in the sport, otherwise known as ‘murderball’ because of its brutally physical nature, by hosting a number of exhibition matches at their St Mary’s Leisure Centre base and welcoming curious newbies to their ranks.

Their most recent friendly match saw them take on a paralympic London 2012 All Stars team.

Among the people involved in Sharks is Southampton’s London 2012 wheelchair rugby heroes Aaron Phipps and Myles Pearson, who both have a hand on the coaching side.

The club, which has around 18 players, also uses the high-tech sports science kit that the university have at their disposal as part of their strength and conditioning sessions.

Sharks player and committee member, Gus McKechnie, insists that new players should give the game a try.

“It’s really fast paced,” the 39-year-old said. “It’s the only contact paralympic team sport.

“It’s very addictive.

“It was by chance I got involved.

“I was walking by St Mary’s (leisure centre) and Aaron Phipps was outside. He invited me in and said I might be eligible. Turns out I was and that’s how it all started.

“Anyone can play. Our youngest player is 14 and the oldest is 50.

“Disabilities vary from amputees, people who have had accidents and those who are born with their disability.”

Sharks are currently in division two of the Super Series, but they are hoping to play well enough at the numerous tournaments and gain promotion.

They’re also hoping to do well at the National Championships.

“It’s hard to grow a team,” McKechnie, who suffers from cerebral palsy, said. “And right now it’s just the start of things.

“We will be playing at the Super Series and have high hopes for that.”

Anyone, with or without a disability, can give the sport a go.

For more information visit: facebook.com/teamsolentsharks or attend training on Sunday mornings at 9.30am or Wednesday at 7am at St Mary’s Leisure Centre.