Editing Dave Pellet


'''Dave Pellet''' is a New Zealand paintball field operator and tournament organiser associated with the early development of recreational and competitive [[paintball]] in Auckland during the 1980s and 1990s.

Pellet was associated with '''Tactics Paintball''', an outdoor paintball facility at Bethells Beach in west Auckland, and later with '''Splatman''', a commercial paintball operation that maintained four Auckland playing fields during the 1990s.[1][2]

Together with [[Ian Southern]], Pellet was credited with originating the [[National Paintball League (New Zealand)|New Zealand National Paintball League]] (NPL), which began competition in 1997. The league attempted to establish a coordinated national tournament structure by bringing together commercial field operators and existing major paintball competitions.[1]

Pellet also appeared in contemporary paintball publications during the late 1980s and early 1990s, including a December 1990 photograph showing him working on equipment produced by New Zealand manufacturer [[Pursuit Supplies International]] (PSI).[2]

== Early involvement in paintball ==

=== Paintball in New Zealand during the 1980s ===

Pellet was involved in New Zealand paintball during the sport's early commercial development.

Paintball had been introduced to New Zealand during the mid-1980s, when recreational facilities were beginning to operate using imported and locally manufactured equipment.

Early commercial paintball fields commonly used natural bush, scrubland and rural terrain.

The majority of paintball markers available during this period were pump-action models, although semi-automatic equipment became increasingly available toward the end of the decade.

Pellet was associated with the operation of '''Tactics Paintball''', a west Auckland paintball field active during this period.

Historical photographs of the venue document early New Zealand-manufactured paintball markers, including equipment produced by Steve Constable's Pursuit Supplies International.[2]

=== Tactics Paintball ===

'''Tactics Paintball''' operated at [[Te Henga / Bethells Beach|Bethells Beach]] in west Auckland.

The facility was situated in an extensive area of native scrubland divided by a ridge.

A historical account preserved by [[Mercenaries Star]] describes the playing area as containing scrub-covered terrain on either side of the ridge, with the higher ground used for staging and safe areas.[3]

The venue offered a large natural playing environment suitable for recreational paintball and organised scenario games.

The site was subsequently subdivided, as documented in the surviving historical account.

The exact opening and closing dates of Tactics Paintball have not been established.

=== Early New Zealand paintball equipment ===

Tactics Paintball was associated with the use of paintball equipment manufactured in New Zealand.

In January 2015, paintball historian Daniel Bacci published a photograph supplied by New Zealand player [[Grant Fraser]] showing several early markers at Dave Pellet's Tactics field.[2]

The photograph, tentatively dated to approximately 1987–1988, included:

* An early PSI M-16 rifle
* A Sheridan K1 rifle converted to bulk carbon dioxide
* A PSI 1200/Hornet
* A PSI Commando/M-16 Stinger

These markers were associated with [[Steve Constable]] and his manufacturing business, [[Pursuit Supplies International]].

Constable developed and manufactured paintball equipment in New Zealand during the 1980s and early 1990s.

The photograph provides a record of equipment being used or displayed at a New Zealand commercial paintball facility during the sport's early development.

It also connects Pellet's field with a period when local manufacturers were adapting existing paintball mechanisms and developing complete paintball marker designs.

=== Magazine coverage in 1990 ===

Pellet appeared in the December 1990 issue of ''Paintball Sports Magazine''.

A photograph reproduced by Daniel Bacci identifies him working on a '''PSI 1200/Yellow Jacket''' paintball marker.[2]

The image provides contemporary evidence of Pellet's familiarity with early New Zealand-manufactured equipment.

The PSI 1200 was among the markers developed by Pursuit Supplies International during the late 1980s.

Contemporary magazine photographs also document PSI markers in use by New Zealand and Australian players.

The photograph of Pellet forms part of the surviving visual record of early commercial paintball and equipment development in New Zealand.

== Recreational paintball ==

=== Tactics playing fields ===

The Tactics Paintball venue at Bethells Beach was used for recreational paintball, including organised games involving established teams and individual players.

The facility's natural terrain provided opportunities for games involving navigation, concealment and movement over a relatively large area.

According to the historical description published by Mercenaries Star, the playing fields occupied native scrubland on either side of a ridge.[3]

The ridge itself formed the staging and safe area.

The site's terrain was used to create distinct playing zones for scenario games.

=== Revolution in Bethels Republic ===

'''Revolution in Bethels Republic''' was a recurring recreational paintball scenario series played at the former Tactics Paintball fields.

The historical rules were preserved by Mercenaries Star under the title ''Revolution in Bethels Republic: Guidelines for a Recball Series''.[3]

The programme was developed to provide social and competitive paintball experiences beyond conventional capture-the-flag games.

Its stated objectives included:

* Providing newer players with opportunities to play alongside regular participants.
* Introducing tactical variety beyond conventional capture-the-flag games.
* Incorporating fictional characters, objectives and scenario equipment.

The rules divided the Tactics playing area into five fictional provinces.

These provinces were contested by opposing armies, creating a continuing storyline across successive games.

==== Opposing factions ====

The scenario initially involved two sides:

* '''Bethels Revolutionary Army''' (BRA)
* '''Army of the Republic of Bethels''' (ARB)

Each side had a general responsible for directing play and representing their faction during the strategic phase of the game.

The rules allowed existing paintball teams and individual walk-on players to join the opposing factions.

Participating teams could serve as smaller units within each army.

==== Monthly competition ====

The scenario operated on a recurring monthly schedule.

The preserved guidelines identify the first Saturday of each month as the intended time for strategic turns.

At the end of a day's play, the result determined which faction would hold the initiative for the next game.

The side holding the initiative could attack a neighbouring province or transfer the initiative.

The attacking faction selected the area from which its advance would begin.

This decision determined the starting positions and scenario direction for the next game.

==== Game administration ====

The scenario rules assigned neutral administrative responsibilities to field operators and marshals.

These officials were described as representing the United Nations within the fictional scenario.

Their responsibilities included resolving initiative in the event of a draw and developing the following month's scenario rules.

The programme combined a continuing strategic campaign with individual paintball games played on the field.

The surviving rules also refer to individual operations, including:

* Operation Green Ghost
* Operation Purge
* Operation Jugular

The historical account does not establish whether Pellet personally designed the scenario series or served as a game commander. Its documented connection with him is through the Tactics Paintball venue.

=== Role of commercial fields ===

Recreational paintball events such as Revolution in Bethels Republic relied on commercial playing facilities, marshals and existing groups of regular players.

These programmes provided alternatives to conventional private bookings and competitive tournament paintball.

The Tactics example illustrates how New Zealand field operators supported organised recreational events before national competition structures and online event registration became widespread.

== Splatman ==

=== Auckland paintball operations ===

By the mid-1990s, Pellet was associated with '''Splatman''', an Auckland commercial paintball operation.

The historical account ''The Rise and Fall of the New Zealand National Paintball League'' identifies Pellet and Ian Southern with Splatman during the formation of the NPL.[1]

At the beginning of the 1997 season, Splatman was recorded as operating '''four fields in Auckland'''.

This made it the largest of the three participating commercial operators by number of playing locations.

The surviving NPL history does not specify the addresses of the four fields or establish the ownership and management arrangements for each location.

=== Competitive paintball ===

Splatman played a role in the development of organised tournament paintball during the 1990s.

The business participated in the establishment of the National Paintball League, providing playing facilities for the new competition.

Commercial fields were essential to the league's original structure.

The NPL required venues for regular tournament rounds, referees and marshals, access to paintball equipment and facilities for participating teams.

Splatman's four Auckland locations formed part of the original group of venues available to the league.

The involvement of multiple commercial businesses helped distribute the logistical and financial demands of hosting tournaments.

== National Paintball League ==

=== Origins ===

The original New Zealand National Paintball League was established in 1997.

A historical account preserved by Mercenaries Star identifies '''Ian Southern and Dave Pellet''' as the individuals who conceived the league while associated with Splatman.[1]

The NPL was intended to address the lack of coordination between individual paintball tournaments in New Zealand.

Major events were already being organised in different regions, but opportunities for regular competition were limited.

The proposed league would coordinate existing competitions and create a developmental structure for newer teams.

An introductory letter circulated in December 1996 outlined the organisation's objectives and invited teams to enter the 1997 season.[4]

=== Founding commercial operators ===

Three field operators initially participated in the NPL.

{| class="wikitable"
! Operator
! Location
! Participating fields
|-
| Splatman
| Auckland
| 4
|-
| Strategy Tag
| Whangārei
| 1
|-
| [[Actions Paintball|Actions Paintball Sports Arena]]
| Auckland
| 1
|}

Each participating operator was responsible for hosting scheduled competition activity.[1]

The arrangement was intended to spread the financial burden of tournament play among the businesses.

Tournament teams were generally less profitable customers than recreational groups because they required extensive playing time and facilities.

By sharing hosting responsibilities, the operators sought to maintain regular competitive play without placing disproportionate demands on a single field.

=== League objectives ===

The original NPL introductory letter described several objectives for the new organisation.

These included improving the professional standard of tournaments, coordinating competitions and developing more consistent refereeing.[4]

The organisers also sought to promote paintball nationally through a shared structure.

The letter stated that the organisation intended to remain independent of individual paintball fields, equipment suppliers and manufacturers.

It was signed by Ian Southern, who identified himself as the New Zealand NPL Director for 1997.

Although Southern held the documented director position, the historical account credits both Southern and Pellet with developing the league concept.

=== First Division ===

The NPL divided participating teams into two competition categories.

First Division incorporated established major tournaments, including:

* The New Zealand Nationals
* The Queen's Birthday tournament
* The Northland Open

The major tournaments were generally scheduled approximately three months apart.

The division provided competition for established teams already participating in national events.

Second Division teams were encouraged to enter First Division events for experience, but their results did not count towards the Second Division standings.

=== Second Division ===

Second Division was established for developing players and teams entering organised tournament paintball.

The original competition format consisted of six scheduled rounds during the 1997 season.[5]

{| class="wikitable"
! Round
! Month
|-
| 1
| February
|-
| 2
| March
|-
| 3
| May
|-
| 4
| June
|-
| 5
| August
|-
| 6
| September
|}

Games were scheduled for the second Sunday of each designated month.

Participating teams were assigned to commercial fields, where they competed against different opponents during the season.

The winner was to receive 10,000 paintballs and the title of New Zealand NPL Second Division Champions.

=== Player registration and costs ===

The original Second Division information sheet specified the following fees:

{| class="wikitable"
! Item
! Fee
|-
| Individual NPL membership
| NZ$10 per player
|-
| Team field fee
| NZ$30 per competition day
|-
| Paintballs
| NZ$0.12 per ball
|}

All players, including reserves, were required to register with the NPL.

The competition followed rules derived from the Australian Paintball Players League.

Teams were required to field at least four players per game.

Games were played on speedball fields in an elimination format without paintball limits.

These arrangements reflected efforts to establish a consistent competition experience across participating commercial venues.[5]

=== Development of tournament teams ===

The NPL's two-division structure created a pathway for newer participants to enter competitive paintball.

The historical account records that established First Division teams sometimes formed or adopted affiliated Second Division squads.[1]

These secondary teams provided opportunities for training and recruiting additional players.

The system allowed experienced and developing teams to participate within a common organisational structure.

The league's establishment was part of an effort to increase regular tournament participation in Auckland, Whangārei and the wider New Zealand paintball community.

=== Decline of the original structure ===

The original two-division NPL structure operated until 1999.

According to the historical account preserved by Mercenaries Star, the competition eventually lost the support of participating field operators.[1]

The work required to schedule tournaments, organise refereeing, administer team registrations and coordinate multiple fields became difficult to sustain.

Following the withdrawal of the original operators, [[Kyn Jackson]] of Actions Paintball Sports Arena took responsibility for the remaining league administration.

Second Division was discontinued.

The remaining First Division continued primarily as an association of established tournament events under the NPL name.

The surviving record does not establish Pellet's precise individual responsibilities in the league's final seasons or the circumstances of his subsequent departure from its administration.

== Connections with New Zealand paintball figures ==

=== Ian Southern ===

Ian Southern worked with Pellet in developing the original National Paintball League.

Southern signed the league's introductory letter in December 1996 and was its inaugural director for the 1997 season.

The historical NPL account credits both men with originating the organisation.[1][4]

Their association reflected the role of commercial field operators in the establishment of national tournament infrastructure.

=== Steve Constable ===

[[Steve Constable]] was a New Zealand paintball equipment designer and the principal figure behind [[Pursuit Supplies International]].

Constable developed a range of pump-action and semi-automatic markers during the 1980s and early 1990s.

Early PSI equipment appeared at Pellet's Tactics field, as documented in historical photographs.

Pellet was also photographed working on a PSI 1200/Yellow Jacket marker in December 1990.[2]

The surviving evidence establishes a connection through equipment used and maintained at Pellet's field, although it does not establish a formal business partnership between Pellet and Constable.

=== Grant Fraser ===

[[Grant Fraser]] was involved in New Zealand paintball during the 1980s and 1990s.

Paintball historian Daniel Bacci identifies Fraser as a former employee of Dave Pellet's Tactics field.[2]

Fraser also preserved photographs of early New Zealand paintball equipment and contributed information to Bacci's later research.

In 2007, Fraser provided Bacci with photographs of his PSI M-16 Stinger, beginning a longer investigation into Constable's equipment and the history of New Zealand paintball manufacturing.

Among the photographs preserved through this research was an image of several early PSI markers at Tactics.

Fraser's contributions form an important part of the documentary record of Pellet's earlier field operation.

=== Kyn Jackson ===

[[Kyn Jackson]], associated with Actions Paintball Sports Arena, was involved in the original National Paintball League through one of its three founding commercial operators.

Jackson subsequently assumed responsibility for the remaining NPL administration after the original operator-supported structure ended in 1999.[1]

The available records document Pellet's involvement in the creation of the league and Jackson's later role in its reorganisation.

== Historical documentation ==

Pellet's involvement in New Zealand paintball is documented through several types of historical sources.

=== Contemporary magazines ===

The December 1990 issue of ''Paintball Sports Magazine'' included a photograph identifying Pellet and showing him working on an early PSI marker.

The photograph was reproduced in Daniel Bacci's January 2015 research article about Steve Constable and early New Zealand paintball history.[2]

=== Equipment photographs ===

Grant Fraser preserved photographs of paintball markers associated with Tactics Paintball.

One photograph shows several PSI models at the field and has been tentatively dated to 1987–1988.

These images document the equipment available during the early period of commercial paintball in New Zealand.

=== Mercenaries Star ===

The early New Zealand website [[Mercenaries Star]] preserved the original NPL historical account and documents from the league's inaugural season.

It also preserved the scenario rules for Revolution in Bethels Republic, played on the former Tactics Paintball fields.

Together, these records establish Pellet's connections with commercial field operations, recreational scenario paintball and the organisation of national tournament competition.

== Historical significance ==

Dave Pellet was among the commercial paintball operators involved in developing the sport in Auckland during its early years.

His association with Tactics Paintball provides a documented connection with natural-terrain recreational paintball during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Photographs associated with the field preserve examples of early New Zealand-manufactured paintball equipment and its use within the commercial playing environment.

His later association with Splatman placed him within a group of Auckland operators supporting the development of structured tournament paintball.

Together with Ian Southern, Pellet was credited with originating the National Paintball League in 1997.

The NPL's attempt to coordinate established tournaments and create a developmental division represented a significant organisational effort during the early growth of competitive paintball in New Zealand.

The surviving records therefore connect Pellet with both the recreational and competitive aspects of the sport's development during the 1980s and 1990s.

== See also ==

* [[History of paintball in New Zealand]]
* [[Paintball in New Zealand]]
* [[Tactics Paintball]]
* [[Splatman]]
* [[National Paintball League (New Zealand)]]
* [[Ian Southern]]
* [[Kyn Jackson]]
* [[Mercenaries Star]]
* [[Grant Fraser]]
* [[Steve Constable]]
* [[Pursuit Supplies International]]

== References ==

# [https://www.oocities.org/mercstar_nz/Rules/Leagues/NPLIntro.htm The Rise and Fall of the New Zealand National Paintball League]. ''Mercenaries Star''. Historical account identifying Dave Pellet and Ian Southern as originators of the NPL, Splatman's four Auckland fields and the league's subsequent reorganisation.
# [https://paintballhistory.com/steve-constable-and-early-new-zealand-paintball-history/ Steve Constable and Pursuit Supplies International c.1985–1988]. Daniel Bacci, ''Paintball History'', 9 January 2015. Includes historical photographs identifying Dave Pellet, Grant Fraser and early PSI equipment at the Tactics field.
# [https://www.oocities.org/mercstar_nz/Rules/Scenarios/BRev.htm Revolution in Bethels Republic: Guidelines for a Recball Series]. ''Mercenaries Star''. Historical account of recreational scenario games played at Tactics Paintball, Bethells Beach.
# [https://www.oocities.org/mercstar_nz/Rules/Leagues/NPLLetter.htm Welcome to the New Zealand National Paintball League]. Original introductory letter circulated in December 1996 and signed by Ian Southern as NPL director for 1997.
# [https://www.oocities.org/mercstar_nz/Rules/Leagues/NPLDiv2.htm New Zealand National Paintball League – Division Two Tournament Information]. ''Mercenaries Star''. Original 1997 competition schedule, format, fees and rules.
# [https://www.oocities.org/mercstar_nz/Links/NZPO.htm New Zealand Paintball Online Directory]. ''Mercenaries Star''. Historical directory listing Splatman among Auckland commercial paintball fields.

== External links ==

* [https://paintballhistory.com/steve-constable-and-early-new-zealand-paintball-history/ Historical photographs of Dave Pellet and Tactics Paintball – Paintball History]
* [https://www.oocities.org/mercstar_nz/Rules/Scenarios/BRev.htm Revolution in Bethels Republic – historical scenario rules]
* [https://www.oocities.org/mercstar_nz/Rules/Leagues/NPLIntro.htm History of the original National Paintball League]
* [https://www.oocities.org/mercstar_nz/Rules/Leagues/NPLLetter.htm Original 1997 National Paintball League introductory letter]
* [https://www.oocities.org/mercstar_nz/Rules/Leagues/NPLDiv2.htm Original NPL Second Division competition information]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.splatman.co.nz/ Splatman – historical website archive search]

[[Category:New Zealand paintball people]]
[[Category:New Zealand paintball history]]
[[Category:Paintball field operators]]
[[Category:Paintball tournament organisers]]
[[Category:Paintball industry professionals]]
[[Category:Paintball in Auckland]]
[[Category:1980s in paintball]]
[[Category:1990s in paintball]]