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Created page with " '''Expendables Feilding''', also known as '''Expendables''' or '''NZ Expendables''', is a competitive paintball team based in Feilding, New Zealand. The team has competed in international paintball tournaments across New Zealand, Australia, Europe and the United States, including the Millennium Series, NXL Europe, the Australian Super 7's Paintball Series and the National Xball League (NXL). Expendables won the 2017 Millennium Series Semi-P..."
 
Extended the documented history of Expendables from 2015 back to 2011; added fifth place with 1,486 points at Southern Series II and fourth place in the Cup at the 2011 NZPPL Rotorua Tournament; consolidated Expendables, The Expendables, Expendables Paintball and NZ Expendables as the same New Zealand team; retained the source’s internally inconsistent Rotorua total as published; and distinguished the October 2011 NZPPL Nationals pre-event listing from confirmed participation.
 
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'''Expendables Feilding''', also known as '''Expendables''', '''The Expendables''', '''Expendables Paintball''' or '''NZ Expendables''', is a competitive [[paintball]] team from the Manawatū region of New Zealand. The team is documented in domestic competition from 2011 and has competed in Australia, Europe, Asia and the United States.[1][2][9][13][19][20][23][24]


'''Expendables Feilding''', also known as '''Expendables''' or '''NZ Expendables''', is a competitive [[paintball]] team based in [[Feilding]], [[New Zealand]].
Its achievements include the 2017 [[Millennium Series]] Semi-Professional championship, the 2018 [[Australian Super 7s]] Professional season championship and victory in Professional X-Ball at the 2018 [[NXL Europe]] Prague Open.[9][12][15]


The team has competed in international paintball tournaments across New Zealand, Australia, Europe and the United States, including the [[Millennium Series]], [[NXL Europe]], the Australian [[Super 7's Paintball Series]] and the [[National Xball League]] (NXL).
The team has included members of [[San Diego Dynasty]] in its international rosters.[3][5]
 
Expendables won the 2017 Millennium Series Semi-Professional championship and the 2018 NXL Europe Prague Open professional division.
 
The team is associated with the Manawatū paintball community and has maintained connections with internationally recognised professional players, including members of San Diego Dynasty.
 
Its documented tournament history also includes a second-place finish in Australia's 2019 Super 7's professional season rankings and a runner-up finish in the Open 3v3 X-Ball division at the 2025 NXL World Cup.
 
Expendables is closely associated with [[Manawatu Titans]], although the two names have also represented separate tournament entries.


== History ==
== History ==


=== Early development ===
=== Early records ===
 
Expendables developed within the competitive paintball community of Feilding, in the Manawatū region of New Zealand.
 
The team's PBLeagues registration is dated 2 January 2015, with Feilding recorded as its home town and Run and Gun Feilding as its associated field. [1]
 
The registration is one of the earliest surviving formal records for the team, although its exact establishment date has not been independently confirmed.
 
Expendables participated in New Zealand tournament paintball during 2015 and 2016, developing an international programme that would subsequently include regular appearances in Australia and Europe.
 
David Hopkins has been associated with the team's organisation and international activities.
 
In April 2017, David and Diane Hopkins launched a fundraising campaign to support the team's participation in the European Millennium Series. [2]


The campaign described Expendables as a Feilding-based team already competing in Australia and Europe.
The earliest confirmed result in the recovered records is from Southern Series II at Ashburton on 24 April 2011. Listed as Expendables of Palmerston North, the team placed fifth in the round-robin standings with 1,486 points.[23]


=== International player development ===
Expendables subsequently finished fourth in the Cup at the [[2011 NZPPL Rotorua Tournament]] on 4–5 June.[24] The day-one score table used the spelling “The Expendables” and reported the team fourth with 609 points. The visible game scores total 523 rather than 609; this article retains the contemporary source's published total instead of recalculating it.[24]


Expendables developed relationships with established international professional paintball players.
An October 2011 pre-event list included Expendables among 19 entries for the NZPPL Nationals.[25] The surviving discussion does not provide a complete result or independently confirm that every listed team started the tournament.


In a firsthand account published on 16 June 2017, American professional player Ryan Greenspan described his participation with the team in the European Millennium Series. [3]
The team's PBLeagues profile records Feilding as its hometown and Run and Gun Feilding as its associated field. Its database registration is dated 2 January 2015; this is a registration date rather than the team's founding date.[1]


Greenspan identified himself, Yosh Rau and Marcello Margott as players guesting for the New Zealand squad.
=== European fundraising ===


He also described the team's earlier relationship with American coach Blake Yarber, which had begun approximately two years before the 2017 season.
David and Diane Hopkins established the ''Expendables Europe Trip'' fundraising campaign on 17 April 2017. It described Expendables as a Feilding-based team competing in Australia and Europe and reported victories at the opening rounds of both series that year. Funds were sought for airfares and accommodation.[2]
 
The cooperation provided Expendables with experienced international players and coaching while retaining its New Zealand team identity.
 
Expendables subsequently competed successfully in the European Semi-Professional and Professional divisions.


== New Zealand competition ==
== New Zealand competition ==


=== Asylum Events Auckland Paintball Cup 2015 ===
=== 2011 tournaments ===


Expendables participated in the Auckland Paintball Cup held on 7 and 8 March 2015.
Expendables placed fifth in the round-robin standings at Southern Series II in Ashburton on 24 April 2011, recording 1,486 points.[23] At the 2011 NZPPL Rotorua Tournament on 4–5 June, the team finished fourth in the Cup behind Disposal Unit, Hybrid and Arachnids.[24]


The team competed in Open X-Ball and finished third out of seven teams, according to the PBLeagues historical record. [1]
=== Auckland tournaments, 2015–2016 ===


=== Asylum Paintball Cup 2015 ===
Expendables finished third in Open X-Ball at the [[2015 Auckland Paintball Cup]], held on 7–8 March.[1]


Expendables returned to Auckland for the Asylum Paintball Cup on 26 and 27 September 2015.
The team returned for the [[2015 Asylum Paintball Cup]] on 26–27 September. Recorded preliminary results include a 3–2 victory over [[Phoenix Tahiti]] and a 2–2 draw with [[Hard2Overcome (Australian paintball team)|Hard2Overcome]]. A final placing has not been established from the recovered records.[6]


The team entered the Open X-Ball division.
At the [[2016 Auckland Paintball Cup]] on 16–17 April, Expendables finished second in Division 2 X-Ball. It defeated Phoenix Tahiti 5–1 and [[ADHD (paintball team)|ADHD]] 4–3 before losing the final 4–2 to [[Disposal Unit (New Zealand Paintball Team)|Disposal Unit]].[7]


PBLeagues confirms the appearance but does not record a final placing. [1]
=== September 2016 registration ===


=== Auckland Paintball Cup 2016 ===
PBLeagues preserves an Expendables registration for an Asylum Paintball Cup listing dated 3–4 September 2016. The listing was inactive in the recovered database record. Registration alone does not establish that the event took place or that Expendables competed.[1][22]


Expendables competed at the Auckland Paintball Cup on 16 and 17 April 2016.
=== New Zealand Race Series, 2023 ===


The team entered Division 2 X-Ball and finished second out of eight teams.
Expendables competed in the 2023 New Zealand Race Series. [[Ralph Tsing]] represented the team during the first two rounds before assembling a [[Phoenix Tahiti]] entry for the final round at [[Arena Paintball]] in October.[8]


The result is recorded in PBLeagues. [1]
According to Tsing's contemporary interview with Air Tahiti Nui, Expendables defeated Ballistics Unit 3–0 in the final and won the overall series championship.[8]


=== Asylum Paintball Cup 2016 ===
=== Arena series, 2026 ===


Expendables also participated in the Asylum Paintball Cup on 3 and 4 September 2016.
An Arena Paintball standings update dated 12 July 2026 recorded Expendables fourth after two rounds of the 2026 series with 303 points. [[Manawatu Titans]], [[Sydney SWAT]] and Cult occupied the first three positions.[21]


The team entered Division 2 X-Ball.
Expendables and Manawatu Titans appeared as separate entries in those standings.[21]


Its final result has not been established from the available historical registration record. [1]
== Australian Super 7s ==


=== New Zealand Race Series 2023 ===
Expendables' recorded Australian Professional results include third overall in 2017, the championship in 2018 and second overall in 2019.[9]


Expendables competed in the 2023 New Zealand Race Series.
{| class="wikitable"
! Season !! Recorded result
|-
| 2016 || Fourth-round entry; 40 ranking points
|-
| 2017 || 3rd overall; 106 points; won round one
|-
| 2018 || Champions; 112 points
|-
| 2019 || 2nd overall; 100 points
|-
| 2020 || Opening-round entry; 20 points
|-
| 2021 || Opening-round entry; 24 points
|}
Source: official Super 7s historical standings.[9]


The team included international guest players during the season, including Tahitian player [[Ralph Tsing]], who represented Expendables during the first two rounds.
The 2018 championship was secured ahead of Sydney SWAT on 110 points and Perth Crisis on 100. Expendables' four round totals were 30, 26, 28 and 28 points.[9]


Tsing's appearances were documented in contemporary reports published by Tahiti Nui Télévision and Air Tahiti Nui. [4]
The published 2020 and 2021 tables record points from only one round for Expendables.[9]
 
The final round was held at Arena Paintball in Feilding in October 2023.
 
Expendables defeated Ballistics Unit 3-0 in the championship final, winning the event.
 
According to Air Tahiti Nui's contemporary tournament report, Expendables also won the overall 2023 New Zealand Race Series championship. [4]
 
== Australian competition ==
 
=== Super 7's Paintball Series ===
 
Expendables established an international presence through Australia's Super 7's Paintball Series.
 
The team competed in the professional division against established Australian squads and regularly incorporated international players.
 
A contemporary report by DYE Paintball documents Expendables competing in an Australian Super 7's event with American professional players Ryan Greenspan and Blake Yarber. [5]
 
In his June 2017 account, Greenspan described the team's success in the Australian circuit and its development through international coaching and competition. [3]
 
=== 2017 Australian campaign ===
 
By April 2017, Expendables was competing in both Australia and Europe.
 
The team's fundraising campaign for its European programme reported that Expendables had won the opening round of each series. [2]
 
The campaign provides contemporary evidence of an Australian tournament victory during the 2017 season.
 
The exact Australian event classification and complete final standings have not yet been independently recovered.
 
=== Super 7's 2019 season ===
 
Expendables competed in the professional division of the 2019 Australian Super 7's Paintball Series.
 
The official historical standings record the following round scores:
 
* Round 1: 24 ranking points
* Round 2: 24 ranking points
* Round 3: 24 ranking points
* Round 4: 28 ranking points
 
Expendables finished second in the 2019 professional season standings with 100 points.
 
Eastside Raw won the championship with 110 points, while Perth Crisis finished third with 98 points. [6]


== European competition ==
== European competition ==


=== Millennium Series 2017 ===
=== Millennium Series, 2017 ===


Expendables entered the 2017 Millennium Series in the Semi-Professional division.
Expendables competed in the 2017 Millennium Series Semi-Professional division with a multinational roster.[3]


The championship consisted of four European tournaments:
The team won the Mediterranean Cup in France, the European Masters in Germany and the Campaign Cup in the United Kingdom.[3][4][10][11] Ryan Greenspan's account of the Campaign Cup described a 4–0 final victory and confirmed the team's third consecutive event win.[11]


* Mediterranean Cup, Puget-sur-Argens, France
Expendables Feilding finished first in the final Semi-Professional season standings, ahead of Cologne Hurricanes and Bad Boys Oss.[12]
* European Masters, Bitburg, Germany
* Campaign Cup, London-Gatwick, United Kingdom
* World Cup, Paris-Chantilly, France


The team competed under the name Expendables Feilding in the official Millennium Series records.
=== NXL Europe, 2018 ===


==== Mediterranean Cup ====
Expendables entered Professional X-Ball in NXL Europe during 2018. The original season standings record fifth overall with 533 points.[13]


Expendables won the Semi-Professional division at the Mediterranean Cup in March 2017.
{| class="wikitable"
! Event !! Dates !! Placing
|-
| Chartres Open, France || 13–15 April 2018 || 4th of 18
|-
| Prague Open, Czech Republic || 25–27 May 2018 || 1st of 18
|-
| Basildon-London Open, United Kingdom || 5–8 July 2018 || 9th of 18
|-
| Paris-Chantilly Open, France || 27–30 September 2018 || 15th of 18
|}
Sources: original season standings and tournament records.[5][13][14][16][17]


The result is recorded in contemporary tournament reporting, including coverage published by Paintball Ruined My Life on 26 March 2017. [7]
==== Prague Open victory ====


The victory represented a successful opening to the team's European campaign.
Expendables won the 2018 Prague Open Professional division, defeating [[Edmonton Impact]] 5–4 in the final.[5][15]


==== European Masters ====
Its elimination-round victories included PPArena Pilsen, 6–3; Moscow Red Legion, 6–5; and Toulouse TonTons, 6–1.[5]


Expendables continued its European season at the European Masters in Bitburg, Germany, in May 2017.
The registered players were:[5]


The squad included American professional players Ryan Greenspan, Yosh Rau and Marcello Margott.
* Ivan Christison
* [[Ryan Greenspan]]
* [[Tyler Harmon]]
* Thomas Hopkins
* Matthew Kling
* [[Marcello Margott]]
* [[Yosh Rau]]
* [[Blake Yarber]]


Expendables won the event, recording its second consecutive Millennium Series Semi-Professional tournament victory.
Rusty Glaze was registered as staff.[5]


Greenspan confirmed the result in his account published on 16 June 2017. [3]
== San Diego Dynasty collaboration ==


He described the New Zealand team as having won the opening French event before adding another victory in Germany.
Ryan Greenspan documented Expendables' recruitment of himself, Marcello Margott and Yosh Rau for its 2017 European campaign. He also described Blake Yarber's earlier coaching involvement with the team.[3]


==== Campaign Cup and World Cup ====
Greenspan, Margott, Rau, Harmon and Yarber were all registered for Expendables at the 2018 Prague Open.[5]


Expendables continued competing in the Millennium Series at the London-Gatwick Campaign Cup and the Paris-Chantilly World Cup.
The team's New Zealand personnel recorded during the 2018 European season included David Hopkins, Thomas Hopkins and Ivan Christison. Australian player Matthew Kling appeared in all four event registrations.[5][14][16][17]


Historical Millennium Series match records document Expendables competing against European teams throughout the season.
Laura Bolam was registered as staff at Basildon-London and as a player at Paris-Chantilly. Rusty Glaze appeared as registered staff at Chartres, Prague and Basildon-London.[5][14][16][17]


The team defeated Ranger Warsaw 4-0 in the quarterfinals at both the Mediterranean Cup and European Masters. [8]
These registrations describe individual event rosters rather than an unchanged season-long playing line-up.


By September 2017, Expendables led the overall Semi-Professional championship standings.
== Asian competition ==


The official Millennium Series final rankings confirmed Expendables Feilding as the 2017 Semi-Professional season champion. [9]
=== World Cup Asia, 2018 ===


The team finished ahead of Cologne Hurricanes and Bad Boys Oss.
Expendables finished second in the Professional division at the 2018 [[Paintball World Cup Asia]] in Langkawi, Malaysia, held on 7–9 December.[18][19]


The championship represented an important international achievement for a New Zealand paintball team.
Russian Legion won the division, with Expendables second, KTM X-Bow third and Datis fourth. The result was recorded in contemporary AXMedia coverage and a Planet Eclipse report published in January 2019.[18][19]
 
=== NXL Europe 2018 ===
 
Expendables entered the professional division of NXL Europe in 2018.
 
The team competed against established international professional squads, including Edmonton Impact, Houston Heat, Toulouse TonTons and Moscow Red Legion.
 
Its tournament results included:
 
* Chartres Open: 4th of 18
* Prague Open: 1st of 18
* Basildon-London Open: 9th of 18
* Paris-Chantilly Open: 15th of 18
 
Expendables finished eighth in the overall 2018 NXL Europe Pro X-Ball season rankings, according to PBLeagues. [1][10]
 
==== Chartres Open ====
 
Expendables began the 2018 season at the Chartres Open in France, held from 13 to 15 April.
 
The team finished fourth among 18 professional teams.
 
A contemporary report by Finnish paintball journalist Kimmo Kainulainen confirmed Expendables' fourth-place finish. [11]
 
==== Prague Open ====
 
Expendables won the professional division of the NXL Europe Prague Open, held in the Czech Republic from 25 to 27 May 2018.
 
The competition featured 18 professional teams.
 
The registered Expendables roster was:
 
* Ivan Christison (New Zealand)
* Ryan Greenspan (United States)
* Tyler Harmon (United States)
* Thomas Hopkins (New Zealand)
* Matthew Kling (Australia)
* Marcello Margott (United States)
* Yosh Rau (United States)
* Blake Yarber (United States)
 
Rusty Glaze was registered as team staff. [12]
 
The team completed the preliminary stage with two victories and two defeats.
 
In the elimination rounds, Expendables defeated:
 
* PPArena Pilsen, 6-3
* Moscow Red Legion, 6-5
* Toulouse TonTons, 6-1
 
Expendables faced Edmonton Impact in the championship final.
 
The New Zealand-registered team won the final 5-4, securing the Prague Open professional title.
 
The victory was independently reported by Kimmo Kainulainen on 27 May 2018. [13]
 
The tournament's leading professional teams were:
 
* Champion: Expendables Feilding
* First runner-up: Edmonton Impact
* Third: Toulouse TonTons
* Fourth: Houston Heat
 
The victory was notable for a New Zealand-registered team competing in European professional paintball with a multinational roster.
 
==== Remaining 2018 season ====
 
Expendables continued its European campaign at the Basildon-London Open and Paris-Chantilly Open.
 
The team finished ninth in London and fifteenth in Paris.
 
Its four-event campaign resulted in eighth place in the overall NXL Europe professional season rankings. [10]


== United States competition ==
== United States competition ==


=== NXL World Cup 2025 ===
=== NXL World Cup, 2025 ===


Expendables returned to international competition in the United States at the 2025 NXL World Cup, held in Kissimmee, Florida.
Expendables finished second in Open 3v3 X-Ball at the 2025 [[National Xball League]] World Cup in Kissimmee, Florida.[20]


The team entered the Open 3v3 X-Ball competition.
The team defeated BLK 3–2 in the semi-final before losing 3–0 to Wyldside Distortion in the final. Four teams entered the division.[20]


The division featured four teams.
== Associated fields ==


Expendables completed the preliminary stage with two victories and one defeat.
The team's early PBLeagues profile listed Run and Gun Feilding as its field.[1]


The team advanced to the semifinals against BLK, winning the match 3-2.
Arena Paintball subsequently described itself as the home of Expendables. The venue hosts tournament paintball on Kimbolton Road in Feilding.[21]


Expendables faced Wyldside Distortion in the championship final.
== Selected results ==


Wyldside Distortion won the final 3-0, with Expendables finishing second overall. [14]
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Year !! Competition !! Division !! Result
The result marked another documented World Cup podium under the Expendables name.
|-
 
| 2011 || Southern Series II — Ashburton || Open five-player round robin || 5th; 1,486 points[23]
== Arena Paintball and domestic development ==
|-
 
| 2011 || [[2011 NZPPL Rotorua Tournament]] || Cup || 4th[24]
Expendables has maintained connections with the competitive paintball community in Feilding.
|-
 
| 2015 || [[2015 Auckland Paintball Cup]] || Open X-Ball || 3rd[1]
Arena Paintball, located at 558 Kimbolton Road, provides tournament-standard airball facilities and hosts New Zealand Race-format competitions.
|-
 
| 2016 || [[2016 Auckland Paintball Cup]] || Division 2 X-Ball || 2nd[7]
The facility is associated with players from both Expendables and [[Manawatu Titans]].
 
Expendables has continued entering domestic tournaments alongside other New Zealand and Australian teams.
 
In the 2026 Arena Race Series, Expendables was listed separately from Manawatu Titans.
 
After the second round, Expendables was fourth in the provisional standings with 303 points.
 
Manawatu Titans led the same standings with 386 points. [15]
 
The separate entries demonstrate that both names have continued to be used in tournament competition.
 
== Relationship with Manawatu Titans ==
 
Expendables and [[Manawatu Titans]] are closely associated with competitive paintball in the Manawatū region.
 
Historical records document Expendables competing internationally under its own name from at least 2015.
 
Manawatu Titans subsequently appeared as a separate team identity in American and Australian tournament records.
 
Both teams have been associated with David Hopkins and Arena Paintball.
 
However, the exact organisational relationship between Expendables and Manawatu Titans, including whether they are independently administered teams or separate squads within a shared organisation, has not been established.
 
Both team names remain independently documented in tournament registrations and results.
 
== Selected tournament results ==
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year
! Tournament
! Country
! Division
! Result
|-
|-
| 2015
| 2017 || Australian Super 7s season || Professional || 3rd[9]
| Auckland Paintball Cup
| New Zealand
| Open X-Ball
| 3rd of 7
|-
|-
| 2016
| 2017 || Millennium Mediterranean Cup || Semi-Professional || 1st[4]
| Auckland Paintball Cup
| New Zealand
| Division 2 X-Ball
| 2nd of 8
|-
|-
| 2017
| 2017 || Millennium European Masters || Semi-Professional || 1st[10]
| Millennium Mediterranean Cup
| France
| Semi-Pro
| 1st
|-
|-
| 2017
| 2017 || Millennium Campaign Cup || Semi-Professional || 1st[11]
| Millennium European Masters
| Germany
| Semi-Pro
| 1st
|-
|-
| 2017
| 2017 || Millennium Series season || Semi-Professional || Champions[12]
| Millennium Series overall
| Europe
| Semi-Pro
| Season champion
|-
|-
| 2018
| 2018 || NXL Europe Prague Open || Professional X-Ball || 1st[5][15]
| NXL Europe Chartres Open
| France
| Pro X-Ball
| 4th of 18
|-
|-
| 2018
| 2018 || NXL Europe season || Professional X-Ball || 5th[13]
| NXL Europe Prague Open
| Czech Republic
| Pro X-Ball
| 1st of 18
|-
|-
| 2018
| 2018 || Australian Super 7s season || Professional || Champions[9]
| NXL Europe Basildon-London Open
| United Kingdom
| Pro X-Ball
| 9th of 18
|-
|-
| 2018
| 2018 || World Cup Asia || Professional || 2nd[18][19]
| NXL Europe Paris-Chantilly Open
| France
| Pro X-Ball
| 15th of 18
|-
|-
| 2018
| 2019 || Australian Super 7s season || Professional || 2nd[9]
| NXL Europe overall
| Europe
| Pro X-Ball
| 8th
|-
|-
| 2019
| 2023 || New Zealand Race Series final round || Race format || 1st[8]
| Super 7's overall
| Australia
| Professional
| 2nd
|-
|-
| 2023
| 2023 || New Zealand Race Series season || Race format || Champions[8]
| New Zealand Race Series, final round
| New Zealand
| Race format
| 1st
|-
|-
| 2025
| 2025 || NXL World Cup || Open 3v3 X-Ball || 2nd[20]
| NXL World Cup
| United States
| Open 3v3 X-Ball
| 2nd of 4
|}
|}
The table contains selected documented results and is not intended as a complete record of every tournament entered by Expendables.
== Significance ==
Expendables Feilding has achieved international results across several major competitive paintball circuits.
The team's 2017 Millennium Series Semi-Professional season championship and 2018 NXL Europe Prague Open professional title are among its most significant documented achievements.
The team also participated extensively in Australia's professional tournament circuit and continued competing in New Zealand and the United States.
Expendables' activities have involved cooperation between New Zealand players and internationally established professional competitors, including members of San Diego Dynasty.
The team's history demonstrates the ability of New Zealand-based organisations to compete successfully in international professional paintball.


== See also ==
== See also ==


* [[Arena Paintball]]
* [[Manawatu Titans]]
* [[Manawatu Titans]]
* [[Ralph Tsing]]
* [[San Diego Dynasty]]
* [[Arena Paintball]]
* [[Paintball in New Zealand]]
* [[Paintball in New Zealand]]
* [[Paintball in Australia]]
* [[Millennium Series]]
* [[Millennium Series]]
* [[NXL Europe]]
* [[NXL Europe]]
* [[National Xball League]]
* [[Australian Super 7s]]
* [[Super 7's Paintball Series]]
* [[New Zealand Race Series]]


== References ==
== References ==


# [https://pbleagues.com/team/uBhjWTkMvslWprl3 PBLeagues: Expendables]. Historical team registration and results, 2015–2018.
# [https://pbleagues.com/team/uBhjWTkMvslWprl3 PBLeagues: Expendables — team profile and tournament history].
# [https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/expendables4europe Givealittle: Expendables Europe Trip]. Fundraising campaign established by David and Diane Hopkins, April 2017.
# [https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/expendables4europe Expendables Europe Trip]. Givealittle, campaign organised by David and Diane Hopkins, 17 April–10 September 2017.
# [https://www.ryangreenspan.com/whirlwind399bc4a4 Greenspan, Ryan. "A Whirlwind Adventure." 16 June 2017.] Firsthand account of playing with Expendables during the 2017 Millennium Series.
# [https://www.ryangreenspan.com/whirlwind399bc4a4 A Whirlwind Adventure]. Ryan Greenspan, 16 June 2017.
# [https://pf.airtahitinui.com/actualites/ambassador/paintball-ralph-tsing-enchaine-les-bons-resultats Air Tahiti Nui. "Paintball : Ralph Tsing enchaine les bons résultats." 31 October 2023.]
# [https://paintballruinedmylife.com/category/events/tournaments/millennium/ Edmonton Impact Win Mediterranean Cup; Results]. ''Paintball Ruined My Life'', 26 March 2017.
# [https://shop.dyepaintball.com/blogs/news/mcdonnell-super-7s-round-one-recap DYE Paintball: Macca Super 7's Round One Recap]. Contemporary report of an Australian Super 7's event featuring NZ Expendables.
# [https://pbleagues.com/team/roster/fLUGa2sqQVFB2tQd PBLeagues: Expendables at the 2018 Prague Open — registered roster and match results].
# [https://super7spaintball.com/results/ Super 7's Paintball: Historical season results]. Official Australian professional rankings, including 2019.
# [https://pbleagues.com/team/roster/YxoxbFSZHuI2KNmm PBLeagues: Expendables at Asylum Paintball Cup 2015 — match records].
# [https://paintballruinedmylife.com/category/events/tournaments/millennium/ Paintball Ruined My Life: Millennium Series tournament reporting]. Mediterranean Cup Semi-Pro results, March 2017.
# [https://pbleagues.com/team/roster/nJjuEd8dG89ftZuL PBLeagues: Expendables at Auckland Paintball Cup 2016 — match records].
# [https://millennium-series.epbf.info/team_profile.php?Team=Ranger+Warsaw Millennium Series 2017: Ranger Warsaw team profile]. Original match results documenting encounters with Expendables Feilding.
# [https://pf.airtahitinui.com/actualites/ambassador/paintball-ralph-tsing-enchaine-les-bons-resultats Paintball : Ralph Tsing enchaine les bons résultats]. Air Tahiti Nui, 31 October 2023.
# [https://millennium-series.epbf.info/ Millennium Series 2017 official rankings]. Final Semi-Professional championship standings.
# [https://super7spaintball.com/results/ Australian Super 7s: historical results]. Official organiser's archive.
# [https://pbleagues.com/league/403/seasonRankings/2018 PBLeagues: NXL Europe 2018 season rankings]. Professional division.
# [https://www.marcellomargott.com/a-month-of-paintball-dynasty-team-usa-expendables A Month of Paintball: Dynasty, Team USA, Expendables]. Marcello Margott, 7 July 2017.
# [https://paintball.fi/kimmo-kainulainen/uutiset/1110/nxl-europen-chartresin-avausturnauksen-tulokset-2018 Kainulainen, Kimmo. "NXL Europen Chartresin avausturnauksen tulokset 2018." Paintball.fi.]
# [https://www.ryangreenspan.com/hat-trick4f9b1170 Hat Trick]. Ryan Greenspan, 10 July 2017.
# [https://pbleagues.com/team/roster/fLUGa2sqQVFB2tQd PBLeagues: Expendables Prague Open 2018 roster and schedule]. Official player registration and match results.
# [https://millennium-series.epbf.info/ Millennium Series: official historical rankings]. 2017 Semi-Professional standings.
# [https://paintball.fi/kimmo-kainulainen/uutiset/1120/expendables-prahan-nxl-turnauksen-voittoon-2018 Kainulainen, Kimmo. "Expendables Prahan NXL-turnauksen voittoon 2018." Paintball.fi, 27 May 2018.]
# [https://pbleagues.com/scores/L403/seasonrankings2018.html PBLeagues: original NXL Europe 2018 season rankings].
# [https://pbleagues.com/scores/L316/E8928/scores/finalsScores.html PBLeagues: NXL World Cup 2025 final results]. Open 3v3 X-Ball championship.
# [https://pbleagues.com/team/roster/jZ3SaR4xvtY732iM PBLeagues: Expendables at Chartres Open 2018 — registered roster and match records].
# [https://www.findglocal.com/NZ/Feilding/102027051785091/Arena-Paintball Arena Paintball: 2026 Arena Race Series standings]. Published 12 July 2026.
# [https://paintball.fi/kimmo-kainulainen/uutiset/1120/expendables-prahan-nxl-turnauksen-voittoon-2018 Expendables Prahan NXL-turnauksen voittoon 2018]. Kimmo Kainulainen, ''Paintball.fi'', 27 May 2018.
# [https://pbleagues.com/team/roster/g1mMt9axRiSShJrI PBLeagues: Expendables at Basildon-London Open 2018 — registered roster and match records].
# [https://pbleagues.com/team/roster/UZo88a5F4jXOyWgR PBLeagues: Expendables at Paris-Chantilly Open 2018 — registered roster and match records].
# [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4a_-5h3Hn4 Paintball World Cup Asia 2018 – Langkawi]. AXMedia / Bob Tahar, 16 December 2018.
# [https://eclipsehq.blogspot.com/2019/01/wca-2018.html WCA 2018]. Planet Eclipse HQ Blog, 13 January 2019.
# [https://pbleagues.com/event/8928 PBLeagues: NXL World Cup 2025 — tournament results].
# [https://www.findglocal.com/NZ/Feilding/102027051785091/Arena-Paintball Arena Paintball — venue information and “Series points after round 2” update, 12 July 2026]. Organiser's social media material reproduced by FindGlocal.
# [https://pbleagues.com/event/4589/info PBLeagues: Asylum Paintball Cup 2016 — event listing]. Recovered as an inactive listing; registration is not confirmation of participation. Accessed 25 October 2026.
# [https://web.archive.org/web/20130207171317/http://paintball.net.nz/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=3200 NZ P8NT: “Southern Series II — Ashburton”], organiser-posted results, 24 April 2011; archived 7 February 2013.
# [https://web.archive.org/web/20130207161019/http://paintball.net.nz/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=3517 NZ P8NT: “Scores from Rotorua”], day-one scores and reported final placings, 5–6 June 2011; archived 7 February 2013.
# [https://web.archive.org/web/20130207150546/http://paintball.net.nz/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=4021 NZ P8NT: “2011 NZPPL Nationals Teams attending”], pre-event list posted 15 October 2011; archived 7 February 2013.


== External links ==
== External links ==


* [https://www.facebook.com/expendablesnz/ Expendables Paintball on Facebook]
* [https://www.facebook.com/expendablesnz/ Expendables Paintball on Facebook]
* [https://pbleagues.com/team/uBhjWTkMvslWprl3 Expendables on PBLeagues]
* [https://pbleagues.com/team/uBhjWTkMvslWprl3 Expendables — PBLeagues profile]
* [https://www.arenapaintball.co.nz/ Arena Paintball]
* [https://www.arenapaintball.co.nz/ Arena Paintball]
* [https://super7spaintball.com/results/ Australian Super 7s historical results]


[[Category:Paintball teams]]
[[Category:Paintball teams]]
[[Category:Paintball in New Zealand]]
[[Category:New Zealand paintball teams]]
[[Category:Paintball in Manawatū-Whanganui]]
[[Category:2010s in New Zealand paintball]]
[[Category:2020s in New Zealand paintball]]

Latest revision as of 13:32, 26 October 2026

Expendables Feilding, also known as Expendables, The Expendables, Expendables Paintball or NZ Expendables, is a competitive paintball team from the Manawatū region of New Zealand. The team is documented in domestic competition from 2011 and has competed in Australia, Europe, Asia and the United States.[1][2][9][13][19][20][23][24]

Its achievements include the 2017 Millennium Series Semi-Professional championship, the 2018 Australian Super 7s Professional season championship and victory in Professional X-Ball at the 2018 NXL Europe Prague Open.[9][12][15]

The team has included members of San Diego Dynasty in its international rosters.[3][5]

History

[edit]

Early records

[edit]

The earliest confirmed result in the recovered records is from Southern Series II at Ashburton on 24 April 2011. Listed as Expendables of Palmerston North, the team placed fifth in the round-robin standings with 1,486 points.[23]

Expendables subsequently finished fourth in the Cup at the 2011 NZPPL Rotorua Tournament on 4–5 June.[24] The day-one score table used the spelling “The Expendables” and reported the team fourth with 609 points. The visible game scores total 523 rather than 609; this article retains the contemporary source's published total instead of recalculating it.[24]

An October 2011 pre-event list included Expendables among 19 entries for the NZPPL Nationals.[25] The surviving discussion does not provide a complete result or independently confirm that every listed team started the tournament.

The team's PBLeagues profile records Feilding as its hometown and Run and Gun Feilding as its associated field. Its database registration is dated 2 January 2015; this is a registration date rather than the team's founding date.[1]

European fundraising

[edit]

David and Diane Hopkins established the Expendables Europe Trip fundraising campaign on 17 April 2017. It described Expendables as a Feilding-based team competing in Australia and Europe and reported victories at the opening rounds of both series that year. Funds were sought for airfares and accommodation.[2]

New Zealand competition

[edit]

2011 tournaments

[edit]

Expendables placed fifth in the round-robin standings at Southern Series II in Ashburton on 24 April 2011, recording 1,486 points.[23] At the 2011 NZPPL Rotorua Tournament on 4–5 June, the team finished fourth in the Cup behind Disposal Unit, Hybrid and Arachnids.[24]

Auckland tournaments, 2015–2016

[edit]

Expendables finished third in Open X-Ball at the 2015 Auckland Paintball Cup, held on 7–8 March.[1]

The team returned for the 2015 Asylum Paintball Cup on 26–27 September. Recorded preliminary results include a 3–2 victory over Phoenix Tahiti and a 2–2 draw with Hard2Overcome. A final placing has not been established from the recovered records.[6]

At the 2016 Auckland Paintball Cup on 16–17 April, Expendables finished second in Division 2 X-Ball. It defeated Phoenix Tahiti 5–1 and ADHD 4–3 before losing the final 4–2 to Disposal Unit.[7]

September 2016 registration

[edit]

PBLeagues preserves an Expendables registration for an Asylum Paintball Cup listing dated 3–4 September 2016. The listing was inactive in the recovered database record. Registration alone does not establish that the event took place or that Expendables competed.[1][22]

New Zealand Race Series, 2023

[edit]

Expendables competed in the 2023 New Zealand Race Series. Ralph Tsing represented the team during the first two rounds before assembling a Phoenix Tahiti entry for the final round at Arena Paintball in October.[8]

According to Tsing's contemporary interview with Air Tahiti Nui, Expendables defeated Ballistics Unit 3–0 in the final and won the overall series championship.[8]

Arena series, 2026

[edit]

An Arena Paintball standings update dated 12 July 2026 recorded Expendables fourth after two rounds of the 2026 series with 303 points. Manawatu Titans, Sydney SWAT and Cult occupied the first three positions.[21]

Expendables and Manawatu Titans appeared as separate entries in those standings.[21]

Australian Super 7s

[edit]

Expendables' recorded Australian Professional results include third overall in 2017, the championship in 2018 and second overall in 2019.[9]

Season Recorded result
2016 Fourth-round entry; 40 ranking points
2017 3rd overall; 106 points; won round one
2018 Champions; 112 points
2019 2nd overall; 100 points
2020 Opening-round entry; 20 points
2021 Opening-round entry; 24 points

Source: official Super 7s historical standings.[9]

The 2018 championship was secured ahead of Sydney SWAT on 110 points and Perth Crisis on 100. Expendables' four round totals were 30, 26, 28 and 28 points.[9]

The published 2020 and 2021 tables record points from only one round for Expendables.[9]

European competition

[edit]

Millennium Series, 2017

[edit]

Expendables competed in the 2017 Millennium Series Semi-Professional division with a multinational roster.[3]

The team won the Mediterranean Cup in France, the European Masters in Germany and the Campaign Cup in the United Kingdom.[3][4][10][11] Ryan Greenspan's account of the Campaign Cup described a 4–0 final victory and confirmed the team's third consecutive event win.[11]

Expendables Feilding finished first in the final Semi-Professional season standings, ahead of Cologne Hurricanes and Bad Boys Oss.[12]

NXL Europe, 2018

[edit]

Expendables entered Professional X-Ball in NXL Europe during 2018. The original season standings record fifth overall with 533 points.[13]

Event Dates Placing
Chartres Open, France 13–15 April 2018 4th of 18
Prague Open, Czech Republic 25–27 May 2018 1st of 18
Basildon-London Open, United Kingdom 5–8 July 2018 9th of 18
Paris-Chantilly Open, France 27–30 September 2018 15th of 18

Sources: original season standings and tournament records.[5][13][14][16][17]

Prague Open victory

[edit]

Expendables won the 2018 Prague Open Professional division, defeating Edmonton Impact 5–4 in the final.[5][15]

Its elimination-round victories included PPArena Pilsen, 6–3; Moscow Red Legion, 6–5; and Toulouse TonTons, 6–1.[5]

The registered players were:[5]

Rusty Glaze was registered as staff.[5]

San Diego Dynasty collaboration

[edit]

Ryan Greenspan documented Expendables' recruitment of himself, Marcello Margott and Yosh Rau for its 2017 European campaign. He also described Blake Yarber's earlier coaching involvement with the team.[3]

Greenspan, Margott, Rau, Harmon and Yarber were all registered for Expendables at the 2018 Prague Open.[5]

The team's New Zealand personnel recorded during the 2018 European season included David Hopkins, Thomas Hopkins and Ivan Christison. Australian player Matthew Kling appeared in all four event registrations.[5][14][16][17]

Laura Bolam was registered as staff at Basildon-London and as a player at Paris-Chantilly. Rusty Glaze appeared as registered staff at Chartres, Prague and Basildon-London.[5][14][16][17]

These registrations describe individual event rosters rather than an unchanged season-long playing line-up.

Asian competition

[edit]

World Cup Asia, 2018

[edit]

Expendables finished second in the Professional division at the 2018 Paintball World Cup Asia in Langkawi, Malaysia, held on 7–9 December.[18][19]

Russian Legion won the division, with Expendables second, KTM X-Bow third and Datis fourth. The result was recorded in contemporary AXMedia coverage and a Planet Eclipse report published in January 2019.[18][19]

United States competition

[edit]

NXL World Cup, 2025

[edit]

Expendables finished second in Open 3v3 X-Ball at the 2025 National Xball League World Cup in Kissimmee, Florida.[20]

The team defeated BLK 3–2 in the semi-final before losing 3–0 to Wyldside Distortion in the final. Four teams entered the division.[20]

Associated fields

[edit]

The team's early PBLeagues profile listed Run and Gun Feilding as its field.[1]

Arena Paintball subsequently described itself as the home of Expendables. The venue hosts tournament paintball on Kimbolton Road in Feilding.[21]

Selected results

[edit]
Year Competition Division Result
2011 Southern Series II — Ashburton Open five-player round robin 5th; 1,486 points[23]
2011 2011 NZPPL Rotorua Tournament Cup 4th[24]
2015 2015 Auckland Paintball Cup Open X-Ball 3rd[1]
2016 2016 Auckland Paintball Cup Division 2 X-Ball 2nd[7]
2017 Australian Super 7s season Professional 3rd[9]
2017 Millennium Mediterranean Cup Semi-Professional 1st[4]
2017 Millennium European Masters Semi-Professional 1st[10]
2017 Millennium Campaign Cup Semi-Professional 1st[11]
2017 Millennium Series season Semi-Professional Champions[12]
2018 NXL Europe Prague Open Professional X-Ball 1st[5][15]
2018 NXL Europe season Professional X-Ball 5th[13]
2018 Australian Super 7s season Professional Champions[9]
2018 World Cup Asia Professional 2nd[18][19]
2019 Australian Super 7s season Professional 2nd[9]
2023 New Zealand Race Series final round Race format 1st[8]
2023 New Zealand Race Series season Race format Champions[8]
2025 NXL World Cup Open 3v3 X-Ball 2nd[20]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. PBLeagues: Expendables — team profile and tournament history.
  2. Expendables Europe Trip. Givealittle, campaign organised by David and Diane Hopkins, 17 April–10 September 2017.
  3. A Whirlwind Adventure. Ryan Greenspan, 16 June 2017.
  4. Edmonton Impact Win Mediterranean Cup; Results. Paintball Ruined My Life, 26 March 2017.
  5. PBLeagues: Expendables at the 2018 Prague Open — registered roster and match results.
  6. PBLeagues: Expendables at Asylum Paintball Cup 2015 — match records.
  7. PBLeagues: Expendables at Auckland Paintball Cup 2016 — match records.
  8. Paintball : Ralph Tsing enchaine les bons résultats. Air Tahiti Nui, 31 October 2023.
  9. Australian Super 7s: historical results. Official organiser's archive.
  10. A Month of Paintball: Dynasty, Team USA, Expendables. Marcello Margott, 7 July 2017.
  11. Hat Trick. Ryan Greenspan, 10 July 2017.
  12. Millennium Series: official historical rankings. 2017 Semi-Professional standings.
  13. PBLeagues: original NXL Europe 2018 season rankings.
  14. PBLeagues: Expendables at Chartres Open 2018 — registered roster and match records.
  15. Expendables Prahan NXL-turnauksen voittoon 2018. Kimmo Kainulainen, Paintball.fi, 27 May 2018.
  16. PBLeagues: Expendables at Basildon-London Open 2018 — registered roster and match records.
  17. PBLeagues: Expendables at Paris-Chantilly Open 2018 — registered roster and match records.
  18. Paintball World Cup Asia 2018 – Langkawi. AXMedia / Bob Tahar, 16 December 2018.
  19. WCA 2018. Planet Eclipse HQ Blog, 13 January 2019.
  20. PBLeagues: NXL World Cup 2025 — tournament results.
  21. Arena Paintball — venue information and “Series points after round 2” update, 12 July 2026. Organiser's social media material reproduced by FindGlocal.
  22. PBLeagues: Asylum Paintball Cup 2016 — event listing. Recovered as an inactive listing; registration is not confirmation of participation. Accessed 25 October 2026.
  23. NZ P8NT: “Southern Series II — Ashburton”, organiser-posted results, 24 April 2011; archived 7 February 2013.
  24. NZ P8NT: “Scores from Rotorua”, day-one scores and reported final placings, 5–6 June 2011; archived 7 February 2013.
  25. NZ P8NT: “2011 NZPPL Nationals Teams attending”, pre-event list posted 15 October 2011; archived 7 February 2013.
[edit]
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