London Nexus

London Nexus, also known as Nexus, was a British professional paintball team based in London, England. Established during the early 2000s under the leadership of Pete "Robbo" Robinson, Nexus became a prominent European competitor in the National Professional Paintball League (NPPL) and Millennium Series. [1][2]

The team won major European professional tournaments, including the 2008 Millennium Series Toulouse event and the 2008 Disney French Open in Paris. Nexus was also closely associated with Planet Eclipse and DYE Precision, competing with equipment developed and sponsored by both manufacturers. [3][4][5]

History

Formation and early development

London Nexus emerged during the early 2000s as a professional development programme organised by Pete Robinson, a former British professional player and paintball journalist associated with Paintball Games International (PGI).

Robinson assembled a group of developing tournament players with the objective of preparing them to compete internationally, particularly in the American NPPL. [1]

The team placed considerable emphasis on structured training, individual technical skills and organised team play.

A contemporary recollection published in 2009 described Nexus players undertaking regular training at Campaign Paintball, including additional shooting drills outside scheduled team practices. [1]

The organisation also maintained a development squad known as Nexus Eclipse, which provided opportunities for players progressing towards professional competition. [1]

Entry into American professional competition (2003)

Nexus entered the American NPPL Super 7 professional division during the inaugural 2003 season.

At the Las Vegas Open, the team's second NPPL appearance, Nexus advanced beyond the preliminary rounds and qualified for the professional quarter-finals.

Contemporary WARPIG coverage described the result as the first time Nexus had reached the Sunday elimination rounds at an NPPL event. [2]

The team continued competing in the NPPL during 2003, including at the Chicago, New Jersey and Miami events.

Nexus finished tenth in the published NPPL professional standings following the first three events of the season. [6]

Its participation placed Nexus among a small group of European teams regularly competing in the American professional Super 7 circuit.

NPPL and Millennium Series (2004–2005)

Nexus continued competing internationally during 2004.

At the NPPL Huntington Beach Open, the team advanced to the professional quarter-finals after finishing among the leading teams in the preliminary standings. [7]

The team also participated in the Millennium Series, competing against established European organisations including Toulouse TonTons, Joy Division, Russian Legion and Copenhagen Ducks.

In 2005, Nexus reached the professional final of the Millennium Series German event, finishing second. [8]

During this period, Nexus became closely associated with Planet Eclipse, whose equipment was used by the team's professional players. [4][9]

Change of management (2006)

The organisation underwent a significant management change during the 2006 season.

Following disappointing results in the opening three NPPL events, Pete Robinson transferred control of the team to DYE Precision.

Jeff Abbott became the new team manager. [10]

According to a DYE announcement reported by WARPIG, Robinson wished to spend more time with his family and was concerned about being unable to devote sufficient attention to the team's development.

At the 2006 NPPL San Diego Open, Nexus reached the professional quarter-finals and finished fifth. The result improved its position in the season standings. [10]

At the season-ending Orange County Commander's Cup, Nexus finished seventh and secured its professional classification for the following season.

The team ended the 2006 NPPL professional series in fourteenth place. [11]

Millennium Series victories (2008)

The 2008 season represented one of the team's most successful periods in European competition.

Nexus won the Millennium Series professional event at Toulouse, France. Contemporary reporting identified the team as the event winner ahead of the final tournament of the season. [12]

At the German Masters in September, Nexus reached the Champions Paintball League quarter-finals, losing 5–2 to Joy Stockholm. [13]

In October, Nexus competed at the Disney French Open, the final Millennium Series event of the year.

The team advanced to the professional final against Philly Dogs.

London Nexus won the final 5–1, securing the championship. Joy Stockholm finished third, ahead of Oslo Menace. [5]

The team included British professional player Jason Wheeler, who joined Nexus in 2008 after previously competing for London Tigers and Copenhagen Ducks. [14]

American professional player Brandon Short also appeared for Nexus during its 2008 European campaign. [12]

Continued European competition (2009–2011)

Nexus continued competing in the Millennium Series Champions Paintball League during 2009.

The team reached the final of the opening Spanish event, finishing second. It subsequently qualified for the quarter-finals at the German Masters, where it lost 5–1 to SK Moscow. [8][15]

Nexus also participated in American PSP tournaments during this period, including the 2009 World Cup in Florida. [16]

In 2011, the team reached the professional final of the Millennium Series London event, finishing second. [17]

Nexus subsequently competed at the 2011 PSP World Cup in Florida, where it finished tenth in professional X-Ball. [16]

Later Millennium Series competition (2012–2016)

Nexus continued participating in the Millennium Series Champions Paintball League during the 2010s.

At the 2012 French Riviera Cup, the team reached the quarter-finals before losing 5–3 to Paris Camp Carnage.

Nexus finished fifth at the event. [18]

The team also continued competing in British domestic tournaments and training at Bricket Wood Paintball. [19]

Nexus remained in the Millennium Series professional division through the 2016 season.

In September 2016, London Nexus and Ground Kontrol Paris were relegated from the Champions Paintball League to the Semi-Professional League.

Russian Legion Moscow and Red Storm Moscow were promoted in their place. [20]

The relegation marked the end of Nexus's uninterrupted participation in the highest Millennium Series division.

The available historical records do not establish a definitive date on which the organisation formally ceased operating.

Notable players and personnel

Documented players and personnel associated with London Nexus include:

Pete "Robbo" Robinson – Original team organiser, coach and manager.
Antony Leadbetter – Planet Eclipse co-owner and Nexus player.
Jeff Abbott – Team manager following the 2006 management change.
Jamie Abbott – Member of the early Nexus organisation.
Jason Wheeler – Professional player who joined in 2008.
Brandon Short – American professional player who represented Nexus in European tournaments.
Robin Warman – Member of the Nexus programme.
Ash Chaplin – Player associated with the Nexus development system.
Kyle Milton – Player associated with the Nexus development system.
Bowen Pratt – Member of the early professional team.
Tommy Pemberton – Former Nexus professional player.

[1][4][10][12][14][21]

Selected tournament results

Year	Competition	Division	Result
2003	NPPL Las Vegas Open	Professional 7-man	Quarter-finalists [2]
2004	NPPL Huntington Beach Open	Professional 7-man	Quarter-finalists [7]
2005	Millennium Series German event	Professional	2nd place [8]
2006	NPPL San Diego Open	Professional 7-man	5th place [10]
2006	NPPL Orange County Commander's Cup	Professional 7-man	7th place [11]
2008	Millennium Series Toulouse	CPL	Champions [12]
2008	Millennium Series German Masters	CPL	Quarter-finalists [13]
2008	Millennium Series Disney French Open	CPL	Champions [5]
2009	Millennium Series Spanish event	CPL	2nd place [8]
2011	Millennium Series London	CPL	2nd place [17]
2011	PSP World Cup	Professional X-Ball	10th place [16]
2012	Millennium Series French Riviera Cup	CPL	5th place [18]

Equipment and sponsorship

London Nexus was closely associated with the development of modern electronic tournament paintball equipment.

Planet Eclipse

During its early professional years, Nexus was sponsored by Planet Eclipse.

The team used customised WGP Autococker markers fitted with the company's Eclipse EBlade electronic trigger system.

Planet Eclipse produced Nexus-associated versions of its customised Autocockers, including the DC1 and DC2 models. [9]

Antony Leadbetter, who played for Nexus and was directly involved in Planet Eclipse's operations, described the team as an important testing environment for the company's equipment.

The team subsequently used prototype versions of the Eclipse Ego, Planet Eclipse's first complete electronic paintball marker.

Player feedback contributed to the Ego's development and helped establish the manufacturer's reputation in professional tournament paintball. [4][9]

DYE Precision

Following the 2006 management change, Nexus became associated with DYE Precision.

The team used DYE equipment, including the manufacturer's electronic paintball markers and protective equipment.

In 2009, Nexus competed using customised DYE DM9 markers, including a distinctive gold-finished model carrying team-specific engraving. [22]

The relationship with DYE continued through the team's later Millennium Series competition.

Player development

Nexus was notable for its emphasis on training and developing players for international competition.

The original programme brought together amateur players and provided structured coaching intended to prepare them for professional tournaments. [1]

Training included individual marker-handling skills, snap shooting, team communication and the preparation of tournament-specific playing strategies.

During the team's later years, Nexus players also contributed to coaching clinics for developing British teams.

In November 2011, Jason Wheeler conducted a training clinic at Bricket Wood Paintball for members of London Samurai.

The clinic included technical drills, three-player games, RaceTo-format practice and instruction in analysing tournament field layouts. [19]

Legacy

London Nexus was an important British professional team during the expansion of international speedball competition in the early 2000s.

Its participation in the NPPL Super 7 helped establish British players within American professional seven-player competition, while its victories in the Millennium Series demonstrated the competitiveness of British teams at the European professional level.

Nexus was also closely connected to the development of Planet Eclipse's EBlade and Ego markers, serving as a competitive testing and promotional platform for the manufacturer. [4][9]

The team's early approach to developing amateur players into international professionals also influenced other British tournament programmes. [1]

References

External links