Red Sevens
Red Sevens (also known as Red Sevens Paintball Team, Red Sevens Paintball Club and, during 2012, Cherry Credits Red Sevens) is a Singaporean competitive paintball team established in 2006 by Ben Seow and Jane Koh.
Red Sevens was among the pioneering teams responsible for introducing organised speedball competition to Singapore. The team initially travelled to Malaysia for training and tournaments because Singapore lacked a dedicated speedball facility.
Its activities contributed to the establishment of Red Dynasty Paintball Park, the development of the Paintball Association (Singapore) and the growth of the Singapore Paintball Series.
Red Sevens competed internationally in the Malaysian Paintball Official Circuit (MPOC), Paintball Asia League Series (PALS), Paintball World Cup Asia and other tournaments.
Its notable achievements include winning PALS Thailand Division 2 in 2010, the MPOC Division 2 overall championship in 2011, and the Singapore Paintball Series Open Division overall championships in 2011 and 2012.[1][2][3]
| Name | Red Sevens |
|---|---|
| Alternative names | Red Sevens Paintball Team; Red Sevens Paintball Club |
| Sponsored name | Cherry Credits Red Sevens (2012) |
| Country | Singapore |
| Established | 2006 |
| Founders | Ben Seow and Jane Koh |
| Sport | Competitive paintball |
| Discipline | Speedball |
| Associated training venue | Red Dynasty Paintball Park |
| Associated competitions | MPOC; PALS; Singapore Paintball Series; Paintball World Cup Asia |
| Notable championship | MPOC Division 2 overall champion, 2011 |
| Singapore championships | SPS Open Division overall champion, 2011 and 2012 |
| Historical sponsors | Cherry Credits; Dye Asia |
| Current competitive status | Not independently established |
History
[edit]Origins, 2005–2006
[edit]The origins of Red Sevens can be traced to Singaporean interest in international competitive paintball during the mid-2000s.
A firsthand historical account published by the team in October 2008 described how one of its founders travelled to Kuala Lumpur to watch Paintball World Cup Asia in 2005.
The tournament featured teams from countries including Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan and Indonesia.
The absence of a Singaporean team inspired an effort to establish a competitive paintball team representing the country's emerging speedball community.[4]
Ben Seow and Jane Koh subsequently established Red Sevens in 2006.
The original team consisted of only two players.
The founders considered several possible names before selecting Red Sevens.
The word "Red" represented the Singapore flag, while "Sevens" reflected their ambition to recruit seven members.
Recruitment of the original team
[edit]The founders used the internet to recruit other players interested in competitive paintball.
Early recruits included players known as Seburo and Calgar.
The team also recruited Malaysian players working in Singapore, including Padam Pelita.
The original group developed through online discussions, informal meetings and training trips to Malaysia.
Other early members included Callio, who had previously been associated with Team Infinity, and a player and photographer known as Residentevilchef.
The team also trained or competed with guest players from Malaysian teams.
The October 2008 account identifies players associated with Tornado, Neighbours Pulse, Heatwave and other regional teams.[4]
The early roster was international in composition.
Although Red Sevens represented Singapore as a competitive team, not every player was a Singaporean citizen.
First tournaments
[edit]Red Sevens' first tournament was the Werdnahol Cup.
The team's October 2008 historical account identifies this competition as its first organised tournament appearance.
The team subsequently participated in the Malaysian Paintball Official Circuit.
A contemporary account described its MPOC appearance as Singapore's first representation by a speedball team in that competition during 2007.[5]
Early tournament participation was challenging because the team lacked the equipment, facilities and experience of more established Malaysian teams.
The founders' retrospective account describes the team initially competing with mechanical markers against opponents using electronic markers.
Training in Malaysia
[edit]Before Singapore had a dedicated speedball field, Red Sevens travelled regularly to Malaysia for training.
Players made weekend trips to Kuala Lumpur and trained alongside Malaysian teams.
These visits provided experience with inflatable-bunker layouts, competitive game formats and regional tournament practices.
The relationships established through Malaysian paintball helped the team recruit players and develop its competitive abilities.
By October 2008, Red Sevens had participated in approximately fourteen tournaments, according to the team's contemporary account.[4]
Early international representation
[edit]Red Sevens participated in Paintball World Cup Asia in 2007.
The team also received an invitation to the NPPL Asia Championship in 2008.
Contemporary accounts identified these appearances as significant milestones for Singaporean competitive paintball.[5]
Red Sevens was featured in Singapore's 2008 National Day Parade broadcast segment known as "Red on Red".
The appearance reflected growing public awareness of the team and competitive paintball.
First-team status
[edit]Red Sevens has frequently been described as Singapore's first competitive speedball team.
However, the team's own 2008 historical account acknowledged that members of Team Nightmare disputed its claim to be Singapore's first paintball team.
Team Nightmare had previously been associated with recreational paintball at Power Paintball Park.
The distinction is important.
Red Sevens was a pioneering organised tournament speedball team, but its history should not be used to erase earlier recreational paintball teams in Singapore.[4]
Development of Red Dynasty Paintball Park
[edit]Members of Red Sevens were involved in the development of Red Dynasty Paintball Park.
The venue was established by Ben Seow and Jane Koh in December 2007.
It provided Singaporean players with access to a dedicated speedball training facility.
Early Red Sevens members worked as facilitators and helped introduce new participants to competitive paintball.
The venue subsequently supported the establishment of the Singapore Paintball Novice Series in March 2008.
International development, 2008–2009
[edit]Red Sevens continued competing in Malaysian and regional tournaments.
The team also developed connections with paintball communities in Taiwan and Thailand.
In December 2008, the team announced plans to compete in the Kaohsiung Paintball Championship in Taiwan in early 2009.
The tournament was promoted in connection with activities surrounding the 2009 World Games.
The contemporary announcement establishes the team's intention to participate, but does not independently verify its final result.[6]
By April 2009, a team retrospective reported that Red Sevens had competed in approximately twenty overseas tournaments since 2007.
The same report stated that the team had played around 230 competitive games.[7]
These figures are self-reported historical estimates.
PALS Thailand Division 2 victory, 2010
[edit]Red Sevens achieved a major international result during 2010.
The team won the Division 2 championship at a Paintball Asia League Series tournament in Thailand.
The victory was subsequently described by the team as an important breakthrough after several years of international competition.[2]
The result helped establish Red Sevens as a competitive team within the Asian tournament circuit.
The team also continued participating in the Malaysian Paintball Official Circuit.
Malaysian Paintball Official Circuit championship, 2011
[edit]Red Sevens won the 2011 MPOC Division 2 overall championship.
The team competed throughout the season against Malaysian and international opponents.
Its championship campaign included winning the second tournament leg and the final leg.
A firsthand account published in August 2011 described the decisive final match against KFK Halloween.
Red Sevens won the match 2–0.
The team became the first non-Malaysian team to win the MPOC overall series championship, according to its contemporary account.[2]
The championship represented a major milestone for Singaporean tournament paintball.
Singapore Paintball Series championship, 2011
[edit]Red Sevens also won the Singapore Paintball Series Open Division overall championship in 2011.
The team competed in the domestic series while maintaining an extensive international tournament schedule.
The dual championships in Singapore and Malaysia made 2011 one of the team's most successful seasons.
Team restructuring, 2012
[edit]In February 2012, co-founder Ben Seow described plans to restructure Red Sevens.
The team had maintained a large tournament schedule during 2011, competing in MPOC, SPS and PALS.
Travel costs and time commitments affected player availability.
According to Seow, the roster had approximately twenty players during 2011 but had declined to around ten by early 2012.[8]
The organisation planned to develop squads in multiple competitive divisions.
It also considered progression to Division 1 competition in Malaysia.
However, that proposed promotion should not be treated as having occurred without independent evidence.
Cherry Credits sponsorship
[edit]In February 2012, Red Sevens announced a cash sponsorship agreement with Cherry Credits, an Asian online micropayment company.
The team adopted the name Cherry Credits Red Sevens for the 2012 season.
The agreement included financial support for tournament participation and branded team uniforms.
A contemporary interview described it as a significant commercial sponsorship milestone for Singaporean paintball.[8]
The precise sponsorship amount was not disclosed.
Singapore Paintball Series 2012
[edit]Red Sevens fielded multiple squads in the 2012 Singapore Paintball Series.
At Leg 1 in Farrer Park, Red Sevens II reached the Open Division final but lost to Team ZOO.
Red Sevens I finished fourth.[9]
At Leg 2, held at The Promontory at Marina Bay in October, Cherry Credits Red Sevens II won the Open Division.
The team defeated Ballistics in the final.
Cherry Credits Red Sevens I finished third.
Red Sevens D4 reached the Division 4 final, finishing second to Chaos Killers.
Cherry Credits Red Sevens II also secured the 2012 Open Division overall series championship.[3]
The result made Red Sevens the first team reported to have won consecutive SPS Open Division overall championships.
International roster in 2012
[edit]The Red Sevens II squad at SPS 2012 Leg 2 included players from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Taiwan.
The international composition reflected the team's established relationships across the Asian paintball community.
The team's success demonstrated the growing movement of players between national tournament circuits.
MPOC success in 2013
[edit]Red Sevens continued competing in Malaysia during 2013.
An April 2013 report recorded the team winning the Division 2 title at an MPOC event.
The result followed a third-place finish at Singapore Paintball Series 2013 Leg 1.[10]
The report described Red Sevens as having won three SPS overall championships over the preceding five years.
However, the April 2013 event victory should not be confused with confirmation of the 2013 MPOC overall season championship.
Major results
[edit]The following table records selected achievements documented in contemporary sources.
| Year | Competition | Division | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Paintball Asia League Series Thailand | Division 2 | Tournament champion |
| 2011 | Malaysian Paintball Official Circuit | Division 2 | Overall series champion |
| 2011 | Singapore Paintball Series | Open | Overall series champion |
| 2012 | Singapore Paintball Series Leg 1 | Open | Red Sevens II – runner-up |
| 2012 | Singapore Paintball Series Leg 1 | Open | Red Sevens I – fourth |
| 2012 | Singapore Paintball Series Leg 2 | Open | Cherry Credits Red Sevens II – champion |
| 2012 | Singapore Paintball Series Leg 2 | Open | Cherry Credits Red Sevens I – third |
| 2012 | Singapore Paintball Series Leg 2 | Division 4 | Red Sevens D4 – runner-up |
| 2012 | Singapore Paintball Series | Open | Cherry Credits Red Sevens II – overall series champion |
| 2013 | Malaysian Paintball Official Circuit event | Division 2 | Tournament champion |
The table distinguishes individual tournament results from overall season championships.
Team organisation
[edit]Founders
[edit]Red Sevens was founded by Ben Seow and Jane Koh in 2006.
Both were involved in the development of competitive paintball in Singapore.
They subsequently established Red Dynasty Paintball Park and participated in the organisation of domestic tournaments.
Early players
[edit]A firsthand account published in October 2008 identifies the following early players and associates:
- Ben Seow
- Jane Koh
- Seburo
- Calgar
- Padam Pelita
- Callio
- Residentevilchef
- Lydia
- Ryan
The account also identifies several guest players from Malaysian teams.
Some of these names are paintball aliases.
Their full legal names have not been independently established.
The list should not be treated as a complete official roster for a particular tournament.
International players
[edit]Red Sevens included players from Singapore and other countries.
Malaysian players participated during the team's early development.
By 2012, its roster included players from several Asian countries.
The team also had connections with American tournament paintball.
A contemporary August 2012 report identified Zachary Hagy as a Red Sevens teammate playing with Palm Beach Vipers and Ryan Stoll as a former teammate.[11]
The same report stated that Ben Seow and Jane Koh had participated in the PSP World Cup in 2011 with Team Tyranny.
These appearances illustrate the international experience of the team's founders and associates.
Development squads
[edit]Red Fraction
[edit]Red Fraction was developed as a junior or feeder team associated with Red Sevens.
A contemporary April 2009 report described the team as comprising players from different backgrounds who wanted to learn competitive paintball.
Red Sevens members provided training and guidance.
Red Fraction offered an opportunity for new players to gain experience before progressing to more advanced competition.[7]
Red West
[edit]Red West was a separate Singaporean tournament team associated with the wider Red Dynasty and Red Sevens community.
It won the Singapore Paintball Novice Series overall championship in 2009.
Although Red West was discussed alongside Red Sevens and Red Fraction in contemporary reports, it should not automatically be treated as an official Red Sevens divisional squad.
Red Sevens I and II
[edit]During the 2012 Singapore Paintball Series, Red Sevens fielded multiple Open Division squads.
These included Cherry Credits Red Sevens I and Cherry Credits Red Sevens II.
Red Sevens II won the 2012 Open Division overall championship.
The use of numbered squads allowed the organisation to enter more players into domestic competition.
Red Sevens D4
[edit]Red Sevens also entered a Division 4 squad during the 2012 Singapore Paintball Series.
The team reached the final at Leg 2, finishing second to Chaos Killers.
This provided a competitive pathway for players outside the organisation's higher-ranked squads.
Player development
[edit]Early training
[edit]During its first years, Red Sevens travelled to Malaysia for regular speedball training.
The team trained with experienced Malaysian players and participated in regional competitions.
This exposure was important because Singapore initially lacked comparable tournament facilities.
Red Dynasty Paintball Park
[edit]The opening of Red Dynasty Paintball Park in December 2007 provided a local training venue.
The park was established by Red Sevens founders Ben Seow and Jane Koh.
Team members were involved in coaching and introducing new players to competitive paintball.
Basic Paintball Course
[edit]On 6 June 2010, Red Sevens advertised a Basic Paintball Course at Red Dynasty Paintball Park.
The course was intended for beginners interested in tournament paintball.
The programme included shooting practice and introductory games.
The advertised fee was S$55 and included 300 paintballs, a course certificate and team merchandise.[12]
The programme illustrates the team's contribution to developing new players in Singapore.
Recruitment and progression
[edit]Red Sevens continued recruiting players as the competitive scene expanded.
By 2012, the team planned to maintain squads across Division 2, Division 3 and Division 4.
The development of multiple squads reflected an effort to accommodate players at different experience levels.
The available sources do not establish whether all planned squads subsequently competed in every proposed division.
Sponsorship
[edit]Cherry Credits
[edit]Cherry Credits became a cash sponsor of Red Sevens in 2012.
The team adopted the name Cherry Credits Red Sevens.
The agreement supported tournament participation and included branded uniforms.
The sponsorship was described in contemporary reporting as a significant development for Singaporean paintball.
Dye Asia
[edit]An April 2013 report identified Red Sevens as sponsored by Dye Asia.
The report documented the team's Division 2 victory at an MPOC event.
The precise terms and duration of the sponsorship have not been established.
Relationship to other organisations
[edit]Red Dynasty Paintball Park
[edit]Red Sevens was closely associated with Red Dynasty Paintball Park.
The team predated the park, having been formed in 2006.
The park opened in December 2007 and provided a dedicated venue for competitive training.
The two should be treated as separate entities despite their shared founders and close historical relationship.
Paintball Association (Singapore)
[edit]The Paintball Association (Singapore) was established to support the development of organised competitive paintball.
Jane Koh was involved in its formation and served as president during its early years.
The association's work contributed to tournament development, referee training and regulatory engagement.
Red Sevens should not be described as Singapore's official national team solely because of its early international appearances.
A contemporary April 2009 account explicitly rejected the description of Red Sevens as a national team.[7]
Singapore Paintball Series
[edit]Red Sevens was a leading competitor in the Singapore Paintball Series.
The team won the Open Division overall championships in 2011 and 2012.
Its members were also involved in coaching and tournament development.
Malaysian Paintball Official Circuit
[edit]The Malaysian Paintball Official Circuit provided Red Sevens with important competitive experience.
The team participated in MPOC from 2007.
Its 2011 Division 2 overall championship was a significant achievement for a Singapore-based team.
Paintball Asia League Series
[edit]The Paintball Asia League Series provided Red Sevens with opportunities to compete internationally.
The team's 2010 PALS Thailand Division 2 victory was a notable result.
Its participation in PALS helped establish connections with teams and players across Asia.
Historical significance
[edit]Red Sevens played an important role in the establishment of organised speedball in Singapore.
Formed in 2006, the team developed before the country had a dedicated speedball facility or a regular domestic tournament circuit.
Its early players travelled to Malaysia for training and competition, helping introduce international tournament practices to Singapore.
The team was closely associated with the establishment of Red Dynasty Paintball Park and the growth of the Singapore Paintball Series.
Its international results demonstrated that Singapore-based teams could compete successfully against established regional opponents.
The 2011 MPOC Division 2 overall championship was particularly significant because Red Sevens was reported to be the first non-Malaysian team to win that series championship.
The team's development squads, coaching activities and involvement in local tournament paintball also contributed to the expansion of Singapore's player community.
Red Sevens is best described as a pioneering competitive speedball team rather than Singapore's first paintball team of any kind.
Its complete competitive history after 2013 and current operating status require further documentation.
Timeline
[edit]| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| 2005 | Future founder attends Paintball World Cup Asia in Kuala Lumpur |
| 2006 | Red Sevens founded by Ben Seow and Jane Koh |
| 2006 | Team participates in Werdnahol Cup |
| 2007 | Red Sevens competes in Malaysian Paintball Official Circuit |
| 2007 | Team participates in Paintball World Cup Asia |
| December 2007 | Red Dynasty Paintball Park opens |
| 2008 | Red Sevens participates in NPPL Asia Championship |
| 2008 | Team featured in Singapore National Day Parade broadcast |
| 2009 | Red Fraction documented as a development team |
| 2010 | Red Sevens wins PALS Thailand Division 2 |
| June 2010 | Basic Paintball Course advertised at Red Dynasty |
| 2011 | Red Sevens wins MPOC Division 2 overall championship |
| 2011 | Red Sevens wins SPS Open Division overall championship |
| February 2012 | Cherry Credits sponsorship announced |
| 2012 | Red Sevens fields multiple SPS squads |
| October 2012 | Cherry Credits Red Sevens II wins SPS Open Division overall championship |
| April 2013 | Red Sevens wins MPOC Division 2 tournament title |
See also
[edit]- Paintball in Singapore
- Red Dynasty Paintball Park
- Singapore Paintball Series
- Singapore Paintball Novice Series
- Paintball Association (Singapore)
- Red Fraction
- Red West
- Malaysian Paintball Official Circuit
- Paintball Asia League Series
- Paintball World Cup Asia
References
[edit]- "Paintball in Singapore, the Past and the Present", Paintball in Singapore 101, October 2008. Early history of Red Sevens and Singapore speedball.
- "Red Sevens (Singapore) Crowned MPOC Division 2 Overall Champion!", Paintball in Singapore 101, 3 August 2011. Firsthand championship account and retrospective on PALS Thailand.
- "Singapore Paintball Series 2012 Post Event Report", Paintball in Singapore 101, 18 October 2012. Results and 2012 overall championship.
- "The Beginning of Speedball in Singapore... History of Red Sevens", Paintball in Singapore 101, 22 October 2008. Founding, early roster and tournament history.
- "Paintball in Singapore, the Past and the Present", Paintball in Singapore 101, October 2008. MPOC, World Cup Asia and NPPL Asia participation.
- "World Games 2009 – Red Sevens", Paintball in Singapore 101, 4 December 2008. Planned participation in Kaohsiung.
- "The Red Family – Red Sevens, Red Fraction, Red West and Red Dynasty", Paintball in Singapore 101, April 2009. Team relationships and historical tournament participation.
- "Cherry Credits Signs Red Sevens Paintball Team!", Paintball in Singapore 101, 22 February 2012. Interview with Ben Seow concerning sponsorship, roster and restructuring.
- "Singapore Paintball Series 2012 Leg 1 – Farrer Park", Paintball in Singapore 101, 6 August 2012. Red Sevens I and II tournament results.
- "Red Sevens Claims 2013 Malaysia Paintball Official Circuit Champion Title", Sykose Extreme Sports News, 11 April 2013. MPOC event result and team history.
- "Playing in the PSP!", Paintball in Singapore 101, 6 August 2012. International player connections.
- "Red Sevens Basic Paintball Course", Paintball in Singapore 101, 26 May 2010. Training course announcement.