South Africa women's national paintball team

South Africa women's national paintball team is the national women's paintball team representing South Africa in international competition organised by the United Paintball Federation (UPBF). The team made its international debut in 2018 under the South African National Paintball Association (SANPA).[1]

South Africa won the inaugural UPBF Women's Three-Player World Championship in Prague, Czech Republic, in May 2018, defeating Russia 2–1 in the final. The team subsequently won bronze in the three-player category at the 2019 World Championship in Amsterdam, Netherlands.[2][3]

History

Formation (2018)

The South African National Paintball Association announced the country's first women's national paintball team on 14 May 2018.

The team was selected to compete at the UPBF World Championship in Prague from 25 to 27 May 2018.

The UPBF had introduced a women's three-player championship alongside its existing five-player competition, providing an additional opportunity for countries with smaller female player populations to enter international competition.[1][2]

The inaugural South African squad drew players from different parts of the country who had not previously competed together as a team.[3]

2018 World Championship

The 2018 UPBF Women's World Championship was held in Prague alongside the second round of NXL Europe.

The women's competition included representatives from France, Germany, Great Britain, Russia, Panama and South Africa.

South Africa began the three-player preliminary stage with a 2–1 overtime victory over Panama.

The team subsequently lost 4–2 to Russia before recovering to defeat France 3–0, qualifying for the championship final against Russia.[2]

In the final, Russia scored the opening point before South Africa equalised.

Elizabeth Silli played a decisive role in the equalising point, eliminating all three Russian players after two of her teammates had been eliminated.

South Africa subsequently took a 2–1 lead and maintained its advantage for the remainder of the match, winning the inaugural UPBF Women's Three-Player World Championship.[2][3]

The victory marked South Africa's first women's paintball world championship title.

2019 World Championship

South Africa returned to the UPBF Women's World Championship in 2019, held alongside the NXL European Championships at the Amsterdam Open in the Netherlands from 26 to 29 September.

The country entered both the five-player Xball championship and the three-player RaceTo-2 competition.

In the five-player division, South Africa finished seventh among eight national teams.

The team achieved a stronger result in the three-player competition, finishing third among eight countries behind the United States and Great Britain.[4][5]

The bronze medal represented South Africa's second consecutive podium finish in the UPBF women's three-player championship.

Players

2018 championship squad

The four players identified in contemporary reporting of South Africa's 2018 world championship victory were:

Cindy Grobler – Back player.
Christine White – Player.
Kerrylea Houghton – Back-centre player.
Elizabeth Silli – Versatile player, including centre and snake-side positions.

The squad was profiled by journalist Luke Feltham in the Mail & Guardian on 8 June 2018.[3]

An earlier SANPA team announcement named Cindy Tromp, Christine White and Kerry Houghton. The published sources therefore differ in the names used for Cindy and Houghton, and the preliminary announcement did not include Elizabeth Silli.[1]

International results

Year	Tournament	Division	Position
2018	UPBF World Championship, Prague	Women's 3-Man	1st
2019	UPBF World Championship, Amsterdam	Women's 5-Man Xball	7th of 8
2019	UPBF World Championship, Amsterdam	Women's 3-Man RaceTo-2	3rd of 8

The 2018 championship result is documented by SANPA and the Mail & Guardian. The 2019 results are recorded in official PBLeagues standings.[2][3][4][5]

Equipment and sponsorship

The 2018 national women's team received sponsorship support from GI Sportz and South African paintball retailer Blades and Triggers.

Anthrax Paintball supplied the team's playing jerseys and off-field clothing for the Prague championship.[2]

References

External links