Black Ops New Zealand

Black Ops New Zealand, also known as Black Ops or Black Ops NZ, was a New Zealand paintball equipment retailer based in Richmond, near Nelson. The business operated the website blackopsnz.com and specialised in paintball markers, tactical equipment, camouflage clothing and accessories for recreational and scenario paintball.[1][2]

Black Ops was active during the mid-2000s and supported organised paintball in New Zealand, including the Nelson Paintball Association and the New Zealand Premier Paintball League (NZPPL).[2]

History

Equipment retailing

Black Ops operated an online retail website by 2005.

An archived version of its website from August 2005 identified the business at 30 Washbourn Drive, Richmond, Nelson.[1]

The website advertised several product categories, including:

Paintball markers and accessories
Tactical paintball equipment
Paintball clothing and camouflage
Marker components and upgrades
Paintballs and carrying equipment

The business particularly emphasised tactical and scenario paintball equipment.

Its 2005 catalogue included products such as paintball pod carriers, camouflage garments and accessories for Tippmann markers.[1]

By October 2006, the website described Black Ops as an online retailer of paintball and tactical equipment. It also advertised copies of PB2X magazine.[2]

Nelson tournament involvement

Black Ops was involved in the 2005 Nelson Three-Man Tournament, held at the Nelson A&P Showgrounds in July 2005.

A contemporary report published on the NZ Paintball Message Boards by a contributor using the name Black Ops acknowledged the Black Ops Factory Team for refereeing more than 80 games and assisting with the competition.[3]

The same report recorded a Black Ops Invitation Team finishing eighth in the tournament.

The competition attracted teams from Nelson, Wellington and Christchurch, with Addicted of Wellington finishing first.[3]

Sponsorship and NZPPL association

In October 2006, the Black Ops website identified three paintball sponsorship relationships:[2]

The sponsorship listing provides direct contemporary evidence of the company's association with the earlier NZPPL.

The two organisations also published the same contact telephone number, 021 037 8454, on their archived websites during this period.[2][4]

These records establish a documented connection between Black Ops and the league but do not identify Black Ops as its owner or establish the league's management structure.

Website and historical records

Black Ops maintained its website at blackopsnz.com, where it published equipment listings, prices, shipping information and material concerning paintball activities.

Archived versions from 2005 and 2006 preserve its retail catalogue and sponsorship information.[1][2]

A December 2007 archive also preserves a Black Ops New Zealand website entry page.[5]

The business's precise founding date, legal ownership and eventual trading status have not been established from the recovered records.

References

Black Ops New Zealand – Official Website. Archived 2 August 2005. Documents the retailer's product range and Richmond, Nelson address.
Black Ops NZ – Official Website. Archived 25 October 2006. Documents paintball equipment retailing, PB2X magazine sales and sponsorship of the Nelson Paintball Association, New Zealand Premier Paintball League and Team Black Ops Empire.
Nelson 3 Man Pics & Standings. NZ Paintball Message Boards, 18 July 2005. Contemporary tournament report identifying the Black Ops Factory Team's refereeing involvement and the Black Ops Invitation Team's eighth-place finish.
New Zealand Premier Paintball League – Official Website. Archived 10 October 2007. Preserves the league's contact details.
Black Ops New Zealand – Archived Website. 17 December 2007.

External links