Kyn Jackson

Kyn Allan Jackson, also known as Kyn "Action" Jackson, is a New Zealand paintball field operator and tournament organiser associated with Actions Paintball in Auckland. He was involved in the development of organised competitive paintball in New Zealand during the 1990s and early 2000s, including the administration of the original National Paintball League (NPL) and the organisation of regional tournaments.

Jackson was associated with Actions Paintball Sports Arena, one of the original commercial field operators participating in the NPL in 1997. Following changes to the league in 1999, he took responsibility for its remaining administrative structure and continued to promote competitive paintball events.[1]

Paintball career

Actions Paintball

Jackson was associated with Actions Paintball Sports Arena, an Auckland paintball business operating during the 1990s.

The venue was one of several commercial fields involved in the early development of organised tournament paintball in New Zealand.

Actions Paintball provided recreational paintball and facilities for competitive players. The business subsequently operated outdoor venues at Swanson in west Auckland and Beachlands in east Auckland.

Its activities included recreational games, corporate and group bookings, walk-on events, scenario games and organised paintball tournaments.

Jackson's involvement with the business is documented in contemporary tournament records, historical company information and correspondence published on Actions Paintball's website.[1][2][3]

National Paintball League

The original New Zealand National Paintball League was established in 1997 through an initiative by Ian Southern and Dave Pellet.

The league sought to coordinate competitive paintball between participating commercial fields, establish a regular national tournament calendar and improve the standard of competition and refereeing.

Three field operators initially participated:

Splatman, operating several Auckland fields
Strategy Tag, based in Whangārei
Actions Paintball Sports Arena, based in Auckland

The league operated two divisions. First Division incorporated established major tournaments, while Second Division provided a regular programme for developing teams.

Participating commercial fields hosted events on a rotating basis.

By 1999, the league had lost support from several of the original field operators.

A historical account published by Mercenaries Star records that Jackson subsequently assumed responsibility for the remaining NPL administration and discontinued Second Division.[1]

First Division continued as a grouping of established tournaments operating under the NPL name.

Jackson's involvement took place during the original NPL's development and reorganisation. This organisation was separate from the New Zealand Paintball Players League (NZPPL) active during the 2010s.

Tournament organisation

Jackson was involved in organising and administering paintball tournaments during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Contemporary tournament announcements identify him with events hosted by Actions Paintball Sports Arena and with efforts to introduce competitive formats more closely aligned with international paintball.

APSA's Mayhem

APSA's Mayhem was a tournament organised in Auckland by Actions Paintball Sports Arena.

A tournament calendar preserved by Mercenaries Star described the event's change from five-player to seven-player competition as part of Jackson's plans to bring New Zealand tournament paintball closer to international standards.[4]

The change reflected the importance of seven-player competition in international tournament paintball at the time.

Rotorua Invitational

Jackson was also involved in preparations for the Rotorua Invitational, a tournament developed by Tag n' Release and Rotorua Paintball Club.

A contemporary announcement by Russell "Dangermouse" Clement described plans for a seven-player tournament at Rotorua International Stadium.

The event was intended to use two Sup'Air fields and attract teams from New Zealand and potentially Australia.

Clement stated that Tag n' Release members had undertaken most of the planning and had asked Jackson to manage the event on the day.[5]

Jackson's role was therefore associated with tournament administration rather than the original conception of the event.

Other tournaments

Actions Paintball continued hosting competitive and recreational events during the 2000s.

Correspondence preserved on the company's website includes a message addressed to Jackson thanking him for organising an Easter tournament. The writer, representing Phantom Five, referred to the work undertaken by Jackson and the event marshals and expressed interest in the following Queen's Birthday tournament.[3]

The surviving correspondence identifies Jackson as an organiser involved in the practical administration of competitive events.

Business activities

Actions Paintball Limited

New Zealand company records identify Kyn Allan Jackson as a director of Actions Paintball Limited, incorporated on 2 April 2004 under company number 1501339 and New Zealand Business Number 9429035458739.[2]

The company changed its registered name to Ace Paintball Limited on 22 March 2006.

These company records document Jackson's formal involvement in a business using the Actions Paintball name during the 2000s.

The company's 2004 incorporation should not be confused with the original establishment of the paintball operation, which was already active during the 1990s.

Recreational paintball operations

Actions Paintball developed a commercial recreational business alongside its involvement in tournament paintball.

The company's Swanson venue included numerous outdoor playing fields and hosted regular scenario and walk-on games.

Its Beachlands facility provided recreational paintball in east Auckland.

Customer correspondence dating from 2005 onward identifies Jackson as a contact involved in the operation of the venues.[3]

The company's event programmes included organised tournaments, scenario games and recreational activities for private groups.

Actions Paintball's later history

Swanson relocation

On 27 June 2013, Actions Paintball announced that its Swanson venue would close because the land was being redeveloped.

The company reported that Swanson had operated for approximately 14 years and confirmed that the final scheduled game would take place on 30 June 2013.[6]

From 1 July 2013, Actions transferred its west Auckland operations to the established World Challenge Tag paintball facility in Riverhead Forest.

Its Beachlands venue continued operating under the Actions Paintball name.

The relocation preserved an operating base for the company's west Auckland recreational activities.

Riverhead consolidation

In June 2018, Actions Paintball and World Challenge Tag announced that they had consolidated their operations exclusively at the Riverhead Forest venue.[7]

The consolidation combined the activities and resources of two established Auckland paintball operators.

The company's announcement documents the subsequent development of the business with which Jackson had been associated, although it does not independently establish his individual role in negotiating or managing the 2018 arrangement.

Contribution to tournament paintball

Jackson's documented activities connect several periods in the development of competitive paintball in New Zealand.

Through Actions Paintball Sports Arena, he was involved in the original National Paintball League's field-operator structure.

Following the NPL's reorganisation in 1999, he continued its remaining administrative arrangements.

His involvement with APSA's Mayhem and the planned Rotorua Invitational also connected him to tournament organisation during a period when New Zealand events were increasingly adopting international competition formats.

These activities took place alongside his work in recreational paintball, where commercial fields provided facilities, equipment and organisational support for new and experienced players.

References

The Rise and Fall of the New Zealand National Paintball League. Mercenaries Star. History of the original NPL, participating field operators and Jackson's role following its reorganisation.
ACE PAINTBALL LIMITED. New Zealand Business Directory. Actions Paintball Limited incorporation, company number, name change and directorship.
Actions Paintball – Testimonials. Actions Paintball. Historical correspondence addressed to Jackson concerning field operations and tournament organisation.
Mercenaries Star Tournament Calendar. Mercenaries Star. Contemporary reference to APSA's Mayhem and Jackson's involvement in changing the event to seven-player competition.
Rotorua Invitational Paintball Days. Mercenaries Star. Announcement by Russell Clement describing Jackson's proposed tournament-management role.
Actions Paintball – Swanson Relocation Announcement. Actions Paintball, 27 June 2013.
Actions Paintball – Official Website. Announcement of the June 2018 consolidation with World Challenge Tag.

External links