Editing IronKids (section)

=== Formation ===

IronKids emerged from a group of young players who had met through tournament paintball in Northern California.

In 1996, Alex Fraige and Oliver Lang began playing recreational paintball together at Mare Island Paintball Games in Vallejo, California.

In May 1997, they competed in the Mare Island Cup as members of the Monkeys. At the same event, Ryan Greenspan and Yosh Rau competed for another team, the A-Team.[1]

The players subsequently became friends through the involvement of [[Eric Crandall]], who helped operate Mare Island Paintball.

Crandall introduced the players to higher-level competition, including the [[Great Western Series]], where they gained experience against established tournament teams.

Following a period competing on separate amateur teams, Fraige and Lang organised IronKids as a youth tournament team.[1]