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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..."
 
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'''Expendables Feilding''', also known as '''Expendables''' or '''NZ Expendables''', is a competitive [[paintball]] team based in [[Feilding]], [[New Zealand]].
'''Expendables Feilding''', also known as '''Expendables''' or '''NZ Expendables''', is a competitive [[paintball]] team based in [[Feilding]], in the [[Manawatū]] region of [[New Zealand]]. Founded by David Hopkins, the team has competed internationally in New Zealand, Australia, Europe and the United States.


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 has participated in major tournament circuits 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-Professional championship and the 2018 NXL Europe Prague Open professional division.
The team's major achievements include winning the 2017 Millennium Series Semi-Professional championship, the 2018 Australian Super 7's Professional season 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.
Expendables has also been associated with several members of the American professional team [[San Diego Dynasty]], who joined its international rosters during the 2017 and 2018 European seasons.


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.
The team maintains connections with [[Arena Paintball]] and [[Manawatu Titans]], another internationally active New Zealand team based in Feilding.


Expendables is closely associated with [[Manawatu Titans]], although the two names have also represented separate tournament entries.
== History ==
 
=== Formation and early development ===
 
Expendables was founded by David Hopkins in Feilding, New Zealand.


== History ==
The team developed within the competitive paintball community of the Manawatū region, initially competing in domestic tournaments before expanding into the Australian and European circuits.
 
The team's historical PBLeagues registration is dated 2 January 2015, with Feilding recorded as its home town and Run and Gun Feilding listed as its associated field. [1]
 
The registration provides an early documentary record of the team, although its precise foundation date has not been independently established.
 
By 2015, Expendables was participating in organised tournament paintball in Auckland.
 
The team's activities subsequently expanded to Australia's Super 7's Paintball Series and the European Millennium Series, where it became one of the New Zealand teams competing in professional and semi-professional international divisions.
 
=== Australian competition and international expansion ===
 
Expendables began establishing its international reputation through participation in Australia's professional tournament circuit.
 
The team's presence in the Australian Super 7's Paintball Series is documented from at least 2016, when it entered the fourth round of the professional competition. [2]
 
During this period, Expendables developed relationships with professional players and coaches from the United States.
 
These relationships became particularly important when the team expanded its programme into Europe in 2017.
 
=== Fundraising for the 2017 European season ===
 
In April 2017, David and Diane Hopkins established a fundraising campaign through the New Zealand platform Givealittle to support Expendables' European Millennium Series campaign.
 
The campaign described Expendables as a Feilding-based team competing in both Australia and Europe. [3]
 
It reported that the team had won the opening round of both competitions in 2017 and was seeking financial assistance to participate in the remaining events.
 
The funds were intended to contribute towards international airfares and accommodation.
 
The campaign provides contemporary evidence of the costs associated with operating a New Zealand-based tournament team across multiple international circuits.
 
== San Diego Dynasty collaboration ==
 
=== Development of the relationship ===
 
Expendables established a significant competitive relationship with members of [[San Diego Dynasty]], one of the leading professional paintball teams in the United States.
 
American professional player [[Ryan Greenspan]] documented the relationship in several articles published during the 2017 Millennium Series season.
 
According to Greenspan, members of Dynasty had increasingly participated with international teams because of the costs associated with entering a complete American professional squad in European tournaments.
 
Expendables recruited Greenspan, Marcello Margott and Yosh Rau to join its European roster in 2017. [4]
 
The arrangement combined an established New Zealand squad with experienced American professional players.
 
Greenspan described Expendables as an ambitious New Zealand team already competing successfully in Australia's Super 7's series.
 
The team sought to gain additional experience by competing in Europe against established semi-professional and professional opponents.
 
=== Coaching and player development ===


=== Early development ===
The relationship extended beyond the participation of American players in individual tournaments.


Expendables developed within the competitive paintball community of Feilding, in the Manawatū region of New Zealand.
Greenspan identified Blake Yarber as having been involved with the team's development before its 2017 European campaign.


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]
In a July 2017 account, Marcello Margott described the team's objective as earning promotion from the Millennium Series Semi-Professional division to the professional category for the following season. [5]


The registration is one of the earliest surviving formal records for the team, although its exact establishment date has not been independently confirmed.
Margott also described the development of Expendables' core New Zealand players through their experience competing against European teams.


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.
The collaboration contributed to Expendables' successful 2017 Millennium Series campaign and its subsequent participation in the NXL Europe professional division.


David Hopkins has been associated with the team's organisation and international activities.
=== Professional players associated with Expendables ===


In April 2017, David and Diane Hopkins launched a fundraising campaign to support the team's participation in the European Millennium Series. [2]
Several American professional players associated with San Diego Dynasty competed for Expendables during its international campaigns.


The campaign described Expendables as a Feilding-based team already competing in Australia and Europe.
The documented players included:


=== International player development ===
* [[Ryan Greenspan]]
* [[Marcello Margott]]
* [[Yosh Rau]]
* [[Tyler Harmon]]
* [[Blake Yarber]]


Expendables developed relationships with established international professional paintball players.
The team's 2018 NXL Europe Prague Open registration confirms all five players appearing together on the Expendables roster. [6]


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]
Rusty Glaze, who was associated with Dynasty's coaching and team operations, was also registered as Expendables staff at the event.


Greenspan identified himself, Yosh Rau and Marcello Margott as players guesting for the New Zealand squad.
The multinational roster retained the team's New Zealand identity and included New Zealand and Australian players alongside the American professionals.


He also described the team's earlier relationship with American coach Blake Yarber, which had begun approximately two years before the 2017 season.
Contemporary European paintball coverage frequently noted the participation of Dynasty players with Expendables.


The cooperation provided Expendables with experienced international players and coaching while retaining its New Zealand team identity.
A March 2017 tournament report published by Paintball Ruined My Life identified the Mediterranean Cup Semi-Professional champions as "Expendables Feilding (Dynasty)". [7]


Expendables subsequently competed successfully in the European Semi-Professional and Professional divisions.
This relationship became a distinguishing feature of the team's international competition history.


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


=== Asylum Events Auckland Paintball Cup 2015 ===
=== Auckland Paintball Cup 2015 ===


Expendables participated in the Auckland Paintball Cup held on 7 and 8 March 2015.
Expendables participated in the Auckland Paintball Cup held on 7 and 8 March 2015.


The team competed in Open X-Ball and finished third out of seven teams, according to the PBLeagues historical record. [1]
The team competed in the Open X-Ball division, finishing third among seven participating teams, according to its historical PBLeagues record. [1]


=== Asylum Paintball Cup 2015 ===
=== Asylum Paintball Cup 2015 ===
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Expendables returned to Auckland for the Asylum Paintball Cup on 26 and 27 September 2015.
Expendables returned to Auckland for the Asylum Paintball Cup on 26 and 27 September 2015.


The team entered the Open X-Ball division.
The team's participation is documented by both historical tournament records and contemporary reporting from DYE Paintball.


PBLeagues confirms the appearance but does not record a final placing. [1]
A tournament account published by DYE describes Expendables as an opponent during the competition and records a 2-2 draw against the team. [8]
 
The complete final tournament classification has not been established.


=== Auckland Paintball Cup 2016 ===
=== Auckland Paintball Cup 2016 ===
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Expendables competed at the Auckland Paintball Cup on 16 and 17 April 2016.
Expendables competed at the Auckland Paintball Cup on 16 and 17 April 2016.


The team entered Division 2 X-Ball and finished second out of eight teams.
The team entered Division 2 X-Ball and finished second among eight competing teams. [1]
 
The result is recorded in PBLeagues. [1]


=== Asylum Paintball Cup 2016 ===
=== Asylum Paintball Cup 2016 ===
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Expendables also participated in the Asylum Paintball Cup on 3 and 4 September 2016.
Expendables also participated in the Asylum Paintball Cup on 3 and 4 September 2016.


The team entered Division 2 X-Ball.
The team competed in Division 2 X-Ball, although a final placement is not available in its historical tournament record. [1]
 
=== New Zealand Race Series 2023 ===
 
Expendables participated in the 2023 New Zealand Race Series, which included tournaments held at Arena Paintball in Feilding.
 
The team incorporated international players during the season, including Tahitian player [[Ralph Tsing]].
 
Tsing represented Expendables in the first two rounds of the competition before organising a separate [[Phoenix Tahiti]] entry for the final round.
 
The final event was held at Arena Paintball in October 2023 and featured nine teams.
 
Expendables advanced to the final against Ballistics Unit.
 
The team won the championship match 3-0, securing first place at the event.
 
According to a contemporary Air Tahiti Nui interview with Tsing, Expendables also won the overall 2023 New Zealand Race Series championship. [9]
 
== Australian Super 7's Paintball Series ==
 
=== Early participation ===
 
Expendables competed regularly in Australia's Super 7's Paintball Series, one of the principal professional speedball competitions in the Asia-Pacific region.
 
The team entered the professional division against established Australian squads, including Sydney SWAT, Perth Crisis, East Side Raw and Sydney Explicit.
 
The team's official historical results extend from at least 2016 into the early 2020s. [2]
 
=== 2016 season ===
 
Expendables entered the fourth round of the 2016 Super 7's professional season.


Its final result has not been established from the available historical registration record. [1]
The team received 40 ranking points for the event.


=== New Zealand Race Series 2023 ===
The official series records show this as its only appearance during the 2016 season. [2]
 
=== 2017 season ===
 
Expendables completed the four-round Australian Super 7's professional season in 2017.
 
The team won the opening round and finished third in the overall championship standings.
 
The official season results were:
 
* Round 1: 30 points
* Round 2: 24 points
* Round 3: 28 points
* Round 4: 24 points
 
Expendables finished with 106 ranking points.


Expendables competed in the 2023 New Zealand Race Series.
Perth Crisis won the season championship with 116 points, followed by Sydney SWAT with 110 points. [2]


The team included international guest players during the season, including Tahitian player [[Ralph Tsing]], who represented Expendables during the first two rounds.
The opening-round victory was also documented in Expendables' contemporary fundraising campaign for its European programme. [3]


Tsing's appearances were documented in contemporary reports published by Tahiti Nui Télévision and Air Tahiti Nui. [4]
=== 2018 professional championship ===


The final round was held at Arena Paintball in Feilding in October 2023.
Expendables won the 2018 Australian Super 7's Professional season championship.


Expendables defeated Ballistics Unit 3-0 in the championship final, winning the event.
The team competed in all four rounds, recording the following points:


According to Air Tahiti Nui's contemporary tournament report, Expendables also won the overall 2023 New Zealand Race Series championship. [4]
* Round 1: 30 points
* Round 2: 26 points
* Round 3: 28 points
* Round 4: 28 points


== Australian competition ==
Expendables finished first overall with 112 ranking points.


=== Super 7's Paintball Series ===
Sydney SWAT finished second with 110 points, while Perth Crisis finished third with 100 points. [2]


Expendables established an international presence through Australia's Super 7's Paintball Series.
The result secured the Australian professional season title for the New Zealand team.


The team competed in the professional division against established Australian squads and regularly incorporated international players.
The championship coincided with Expendables' participation in the NXL Europe professional division, including its victory at the Prague Open.


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]
Expendables therefore won both an Australian professional season championship and a European professional tournament during 2018.


In his June 2017 account, Greenspan described the team's success in the Australian circuit and its development through international coaching and competition. [3]
=== 2019 season ===


=== 2017 Australian campaign ===
Expendables continued competing in the Australian Super 7's professional division during 2019.


By April 2017, Expendables was competing in both Australia and Europe.
Its official season results were:


The team's fundraising campaign for its European programme reported that Expendables had won the opening round of each series. [2]
* Round 1: 24 points
* Round 2: 24 points
* Round 3: 24 points
* Round 4: 28 points


The campaign provides contemporary evidence of an Australian tournament victory during the 2017 season.
The team finished second overall with 100 ranking points.


The exact Australian event classification and complete final standings have not yet been independently recovered.
East Side Raw won the championship with 110 points, while Perth Crisis finished third with 98 points. [2]


=== Super 7's 2019 season ===
The official standings mark Expendables' scores as subject to the competition's ranking-point adjustment rules concerning multiple American professional players.


Expendables competed in the professional division of the 2019 Australian Super 7's Paintball Series.
=== 2020 and 2021 appearances ===


The official historical standings record the following round scores:
Expendables continued appearing in the Australian Super 7's rankings during the following years.


* Round 1: 24 ranking points
The official records list the team in the 2020 professional competition, which completed only one round.
* 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.
Expendables also appeared in the single recorded professional round of the 2021 season, receiving 24 ranking points. [2]


Eastside Raw won the championship with 110 points, while Perth Crisis finished third with 98 points. [6]
The limited number of rounds recorded for those years should not be confused with a complete four-event championship.


== European competition ==
== European competition ==
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=== Millennium Series 2017 ===
=== Millennium Series 2017 ===


Expendables entered the 2017 Millennium Series in the Semi-Professional division.
Expendables entered the 2017 Millennium Series in the Semi-Professional division, competing under the name Expendables Feilding.


The championship consisted of four European tournaments:
The European season consisted of four tournaments:


* Mediterranean Cup, Puget-sur-Argens, France
* Mediterranean Cup, Puget-sur-Argens, France
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* World Cup, Paris-Chantilly, France
* World Cup, Paris-Chantilly, France


The team competed under the name Expendables Feilding in the official Millennium Series records.
The team competed with a combination of New Zealand players and experienced American professional guests.


==== Mediterranean Cup ====
==== Mediterranean Cup ====
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Expendables won the Semi-Professional division at the Mediterranean Cup in March 2017.
Expendables won the Semi-Professional division at the Mediterranean Cup in March 2017.


The result is recorded in contemporary tournament reporting, including coverage published by Paintball Ruined My Life on 26 March 2017. [7]
The victory was documented in contemporary reports by Ryan Greenspan and Paintball Ruined My Life. [4][7]
 
Greenspan described the team defeating Lucky 15s Staffordshire in a closely contested final.
 
He highlighted a late contribution from Yosh Rau that helped secure the victory.


The victory represented a successful opening to the team's European campaign.
The tournament marked a successful start to Expendables' European campaign.


==== European Masters ====
==== European Masters ====


Expendables continued its European season at the European Masters in Bitburg, Germany, in May 2017.
Expendables continued its Millennium Series campaign at the European Masters in Bitburg, Germany, in May 2017.
 
The team won the Semi-Professional division, recording its second consecutive tournament victory.
 
The result was confirmed in firsthand accounts by Ryan Greenspan and Marcello Margott. [5]


The squad included American professional players Ryan Greenspan, Yosh Rau and Marcello Margott.
Historical Millennium Series match records also document Expendables defeating Ranger Warsaw 4-0 in the quarterfinals at the event. [10]


Expendables won the event, recording its second consecutive Millennium Series Semi-Professional tournament victory.
==== Campaign Cup ====


Greenspan confirmed the result in his account published on 16 June 2017. [3]
Expendables competed at the London-Gatwick Campaign Cup in June 2017.


He described the New Zealand team as having won the opening French event before adding another victory in Germany.
The team entered the event following consecutive victories in France and Germany.


==== Campaign Cup and World Cup ====
Marcello Margott described the team's preparations and its objective of securing promotion to the professional division for 2018. [5]


Expendables continued competing in the Millennium Series at the London-Gatwick Campaign Cup and the Paris-Chantilly World Cup.
The team progressed from the preliminary stage as a leading seed.


Historical Millennium Series match records document Expendables competing against European teams throughout the season.
The event formed part of Expendables' successful overall championship campaign.


The team defeated Ranger Warsaw 4-0 in the quarterfinals at both the Mediterranean Cup and European Masters. [8]
==== World Cup and season championship ====


By September 2017, Expendables led the overall Semi-Professional championship standings.
Expendables completed the 2017 Millennium Series at the World Cup in Paris-Chantilly in September.


The official Millennium Series final rankings confirmed Expendables Feilding as the 2017 Semi-Professional season champion. [9]
The team finished first in the overall Semi-Professional season standings.


The team finished ahead of Cologne Hurricanes and Bad Boys Oss.
The official Millennium Series final ranking placed Expendables Feilding ahead of Cologne Hurricanes and Bad Boys Oss. [11]


The championship represented an important international achievement for a New Zealand paintball team.
Winning the season championship secured Expendables' position among the leading Semi-Professional teams in Europe and preceded its entry into the professional division in 2018.


=== NXL Europe 2018 ===
=== NXL Europe 2018 ===


Expendables entered the professional division of NXL Europe in 2018.
Expendables moved into the professional division of NXL Europe for the 2018 season.
 
The team competed against internationally established professional squads, including Edmonton Impact, Houston Heat, Moscow Red Legion and Toulouse TonTons.


The team competed against established international professional squads, including Edmonton Impact, Houston Heat, Toulouse TonTons and Moscow Red Legion.
The four-event season comprised tournaments in Chartres, Prague, Basildon-London and Paris-Chantilly.


Its tournament results included:
Expendables' official original season results were:


* Chartres Open: 4th of 18
* Chartres Open: 4th of 18
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* Paris-Chantilly Open: 15th 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]
The original NXL Europe season standings record Expendables finishing fifth overall with 533 points. [12]


==== Chartres Open ====
==== Chartres Open ====


Expendables began the 2018 season at the Chartres Open in France, held from 13 to 15 April.
Expendables began the 2018 season at the NXL Europe Chartres Open in France, held from 13 to 15 April.


The team finished fourth among 18 professional teams.
The team reached the professional division's final four.


A contemporary report by Finnish paintball journalist Kimmo Kainulainen confirmed Expendables' fourth-place finish. [11]
Expendables finished fourth among 18 competing teams.
 
The result was independently reported by Finnish paintball journalist Kimmo Kainulainen. [13]


==== Prague Open ====
==== Prague Open ====


Expendables won the professional division of the NXL Europe Prague Open, held in the Czech Republic from 25 to 27 May 2018.
Expendables won the Professional X-Ball division at the 2018 NXL Europe Prague Open, held in the Czech Republic from 25 to 27 May.


The competition featured 18 professional teams.
The competition featured 18 professional teams.


The registered Expendables roster was:
The official PBLeagues roster listed eight players:


* Ivan Christison (New Zealand)
* Ivan Christison (New Zealand)
* Ryan Greenspan (United States)
* [[Ryan Greenspan]] (United States)
* Tyler Harmon (United States)
* [[Tyler Harmon]] (United States)
* Thomas Hopkins (New Zealand)
* Thomas Hopkins (New Zealand)
* Matthew Kling (Australia)
* Matthew Kling (Australia)
* Marcello Margott (United States)
* [[Marcello Margott]] (United States)
* Yosh Rau (United States)
* [[Yosh Rau]] (United States)
* Blake Yarber (United States)
* [[Blake Yarber]] (United States)
 
Rusty Glaze was registered as team staff. [6]
 
The roster combined New Zealand and Australian players with several established American professionals associated with San Diego Dynasty.


Rusty Glaze was registered as team staff. [12]
Expendables completed the preliminary stage with two victories and two defeats.


The team completed the preliminary stage with two victories and two defeats.
The team's results included a 5-0 victory over Offenburg Comin at Ya and a 6-1 victory over All Starz Red Storm.


In the elimination rounds, Expendables defeated:
In the elimination rounds, Expendables defeated:
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* Toulouse TonTons, 6-1
* Toulouse TonTons, 6-1


Expendables faced Edmonton Impact in the championship final.
The team faced Edmonton Impact in the championship final.


The New Zealand-registered team won the final 5-4, securing the Prague Open professional title.
Expendables won the final 5-4, securing first place in the professional division. [6]


The victory was independently reported by Kimmo Kainulainen on 27 May 2018. [13]
The tournament's leading teams were:
 
The tournament's leading professional teams were:


* Champion: Expendables Feilding
* Champion: Expendables Feilding
* First runner-up: Edmonton Impact
* Runner-up: Edmonton Impact
* Third: Toulouse TonTons
* Third: Toulouse TonTons
* Fourth: Houston Heat
* Fourth: Houston Heat


The victory was notable for a New Zealand-registered team competing in European professional paintball with a multinational roster.
The victory was independently reported by Kimmo Kainulainen on 27 May 2018.
 
His report noted that Expendables represented New Zealand while fielding several members of the American Dynasty organisation. [14]
 
The Prague Open victory was one of the team's most significant international achievements.
 
==== Basildon-London Open ====
 
Expendables continued the 2018 NXL Europe season at the Basildon-London Open in the United Kingdom.
 
The team advanced beyond the preliminary stage but finished ninth overall in the professional division. [12]


==== Remaining 2018 season ====
==== Paris-Chantilly Open ====


Expendables continued its European campaign at the Basildon-London Open and Paris-Chantilly Open.
Expendables completed its European season at the Paris-Chantilly Open in France.


The team finished ninth in London and fifteenth in Paris.
The team finished fifteenth among 18 professional entrants.


Its four-event campaign resulted in eighth place in the overall NXL Europe professional season rankings. [10]
The result concluded a season in which Expendables had won the Prague Open and finished fifth overall in the original NXL Europe professional rankings. [12]


== United States competition ==
== United States competition ==
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=== 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 competed in the 2025 National Xball League World Cup, held in Kissimmee, Florida, United States, in November.
 
The team entered the Pro - Open 3v3 X-Ball division.
 
Four teams participated in the competition.
 
Expendables progressed to the elimination rounds and defeated BLK 3-2 in the semifinals.
 
The team advanced to the final against Wyldside Distortion.
 
Wyldside Distortion won the championship match 3-0, with Expendables finishing second overall. [15]
 
The result represented another international World Cup podium for the New Zealand team.
 
The official NXL rankings recorded Expendables second in the division, behind Wyldside Distortion and ahead of BLK and KC Missouri Allstars. [15]
 
== Arena Paintball and regional development ==
 
=== Connection with Feilding ===
 
Expendables has maintained a connection with the competitive paintball community in Feilding, New Zealand.
 
The team's early PBLeagues records identify Run and Gun Feilding as its associated playing field. [1]
 
More recent activities have been associated with [[Arena Paintball]], a tournament and recreational paintball facility on Kimbolton Road in Feilding.
 
Arena Paintball has described itself publicly as the home of Expendables. [16]
 
The facility hosts local, national and international competitive paintball events.
 
The precise historical relationship between Run and Gun Feilding and Arena Paintball has not yet been established.


The team entered the Open 3v3 X-Ball competition.
=== Relationship with Manawatu Titans ===


The division featured four teams.
Expendables and [[Manawatu Titans]] are closely connected to the competitive paintball community in the Manawatū region.


Expendables completed the preliminary stage with two victories and one defeat.
Both teams have been associated with the Hopkins family, Feilding and Arena Paintball.


The team advanced to the semifinals against BLK, winning the match 3-2.
Manawatu Titans has emerged as a prominent international team identity, competing in the American NXL Semi-Pro division and Australia's professional Super 7's circuit.


Expendables faced Wyldside Distortion in the championship final.
However, the teams should not be treated as identical or as a confirmed formal rebranding.


Wyldside Distortion won the final 3-0, with Expendables finishing second overall. [14]
Both names have continued appearing as separate entries in competition records.


The result marked another documented World Cup podium under the Expendables name.
At the 2025 NXL World Cup, Expendables competed in Pro - Open 3v3 X-Ball, while Manawatu Titans entered other divisions.


== Arena Paintball and domestic development ==
The 2026 Arena Race Series also listed Expendables and Manawatu Titans as separate teams.


Expendables has maintained connections with the competitive paintball community in Feilding.
=== Arena Race Series 2026 ===


Arena Paintball, located at 558 Kimbolton Road, provides tournament-standard airball facilities and hosts New Zealand Race-format competitions.
Expendables participated in the 2026 Arena Race Series, held at Arena Paintball in Feilding.


The facility is associated with players from both Expendables and [[Manawatu Titans]].
The series featured New Zealand and Australian teams.


Expendables has continued entering domestic tournaments alongside other New Zealand and Australian teams.
After the second round, Expendables occupied fourth place in the provisional standings with 303 points.


In the 2026 Arena Race Series, Expendables was listed separately from Manawatu Titans.
The leading teams at that stage were:


After the second round, Expendables was fourth in the provisional standings with 303 points.
* Manawatu Titans: 386 points
* Sydney SWAT: 359 points
* Cult: 350 points
* Expendables: 303 points


Manawatu Titans led the same standings with 386 points. [15]
The standings were published by Arena Paintball on 12 July 2026. [16]


The separate entries demonstrate that both names have continued to be used in tournament competition.
The two Feilding-based team identities were independently ranked within the same competition.


== Relationship with Manawatu Titans ==
=== Feilding Paintball Club ===


Expendables and [[Manawatu Titans]] are closely associated with competitive paintball in the Manawatū region.
The wider development of organised paintball in Feilding also included Feilding Paintball Club Incorporated.


Historical records document Expendables competing internationally under its own name from at least 2015.
Historical records show the club receiving assistance through local sport and community development programmes, including funding for paintball safety infrastructure during 2018 and 2019.


Manawatu Titans subsequently appeared as a separate team identity in American and Australian tournament records.
The registered club subsequently appeared in a 2021 New Zealand Gazette dissolution notice.


Both teams have been associated with David Hopkins and Arena Paintball.
The club's precise legal and organisational relationship with Expendables has not been independently established.


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.
It should therefore be distinguished from the tournament team rather than presented as the same organisation.


Both team names remain independently documented in tournament registrations and results.
== Tournament results ==


== Selected tournament results ==
The following table summarises selected documented tournament results.


{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
Line 323: Line 486:
| Division 2 X-Ball
| Division 2 X-Ball
| 2nd of 8
| 2nd of 8
|-
| 2017
| Super 7's Paintball Series
| Australia
| Professional
| 3rd overall
|-
|-
| 2017
| 2017
| Millennium Mediterranean Cup
| Millennium Mediterranean Cup
| France
| France
| Semi-Pro
| Semi-Professional
| 1st
| 1st
|-
|-
Line 333: Line 502:
| Millennium European Masters
| Millennium European Masters
| Germany
| Germany
| Semi-Pro
| Semi-Professional
| 1st
| 1st
|-
|-
| 2017
| 2017
| Millennium Series overall
| Millennium Series season championship
| Europe
| Europe
| Semi-Pro
| Semi-Professional
| Season champion
| 1st overall
|-
|-
| 2018
| 2018
| NXL Europe Chartres Open
| NXL Europe Chartres Open
| France
| France
| Pro X-Ball
| Professional X-Ball
| 4th of 18
| 4th of 18
|-
|-
Line 351: Line 520:
| NXL Europe Prague Open
| NXL Europe Prague Open
| Czech Republic
| Czech Republic
| Pro X-Ball
| Professional X-Ball
| 1st of 18
| 1st of 18
|-
|-
Line 357: Line 526:
| NXL Europe Basildon-London Open
| NXL Europe Basildon-London Open
| United Kingdom
| United Kingdom
| Pro X-Ball
| Professional X-Ball
| 9th of 18
| 9th of 18
|-
|-
Line 363: Line 532:
| NXL Europe Paris-Chantilly Open
| NXL Europe Paris-Chantilly Open
| France
| France
| Pro X-Ball
| Professional X-Ball
| 15th of 18
| 15th of 18
|-
|-
| 2018
| 2018
| NXL Europe overall
| NXL Europe season championship
| Europe
| Europe
| Pro X-Ball
| Professional X-Ball
| 8th
| 5th overall
|-
| 2018
| Super 7's Paintball Series
| Australia
| Professional
| 1st overall
|-
|-
| 2019
| 2019
| Super 7's overall
| Super 7's Paintball Series
| Australia
| Australia
| Professional
| Professional
| 2nd
| 2nd overall
|-
|-
| 2023
| 2023
Line 383: Line 558:
| Race format
| Race format
| 1st
| 1st
|-
| 2023
| New Zealand Race Series season championship
| New Zealand
| Race format
| 1st overall
|-
|-
| 2025
| 2025
| NXL World Cup
| NXL World Cup
| United States
| United States
| Open 3v3 X-Ball
| Pro - Open 3v3 X-Ball
| 2nd of 4
| 2nd of 4
|}
|}


The table contains selected documented results and is not intended as a complete record of every tournament entered by Expendables.
The table includes selected confirmed results and is not intended as an exhaustive record of every tournament entered by the team.


== Significance ==
== Significance ==


Expendables Feilding has achieved international results across several major competitive paintball circuits.
Expendables Feilding has achieved success in multiple international tournament 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's 2017 Millennium Series Semi-Professional championship and 2018 NXL Europe Prague Open Professional victory established its record in European competition.


The team also participated extensively in Australia's professional tournament circuit and continued competing in New Zealand and the United States.
Its 2018 Australian Super 7's Professional season championship demonstrated sustained competitive results across an entire Australasian tournament season.


Expendables' activities have involved cooperation between New Zealand players and internationally established professional competitors, including members of San Diego Dynasty.
Expendables also developed a notable international roster model, combining New Zealand players with established American professionals, particularly from San Diego Dynasty.


The team's history demonstrates the ability of New Zealand-based organisations to compete successfully in international professional paintball.
The organisation's activities contributed to the participation of New Zealand-based teams in European professional paintball and supported continued competitive activity in the Manawatū region.


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


* [[Manawatu Titans]]
* [[Manawatu Titans]]
* [[Arena Paintball]]
* [[Feilding Paintball Club]]
* [[Ralph Tsing]]
* [[Ralph Tsing]]
* [[Arena Paintball]]
* [[San Diego Dynasty]]
* [[Paintball in New Zealand]]
* [[Paintball in New Zealand]]
* [[Paintball in Australia]]
* [[Paintball in Australia]]
Line 420: Line 603:
== References ==
== References ==


# [https://pbleagues.com/team/uBhjWTkMvslWprl3 PBLeagues: Expendables]. Historical team registration and results, 2015–2018.
# [https://pbleagues.com/team/uBhjWTkMvslWprl3 PBLeagues: Expendables]. Historical team profile, registration information and tournament results.
# [https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/expendables4europe Givealittle: Expendables Europe Trip]. Fundraising campaign established by David and Diane Hopkins, April 2017.
# [https://super7spaintball.com/results/ Super 7's Paintball Series: Historical Results]. Official Australian championship rankings, including Expendables' 2016–2021 appearances and 2018 championship.
# [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://givealittle.co.nz/cause/expendables4europe Givealittle: Expendables Europe Trip]. Fundraising campaign organised by David and Diane Hopkins, April 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://www.ryangreenspan.com/millennium-mediterranean-cupbcfc35d5 Greenspan, Ryan. "Millennium Mediterranean Cup." 28 March 2017.] Firsthand account of the Expendables European campaign and San Diego Dynasty player involvement.
# [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://www.marcellomargott.com/a-month-of-paintball-dynasty-team-usa-expendables Margott, Marcello. "A Month of Paintball: Dynasty, Team USA, Expendables." 7 July 2017.] Firsthand account of the team's Millennium Series participation and professional ambitions.
# [https://super7spaintball.com/results/ Super 7's Paintball: Historical season results]. Official Australian professional rankings, including 2019.
# [https://pbleagues.com/team/roster/fLUGa2sqQVFB2tQd PBLeagues: Expendables at the 2018 Prague Open]. Official player roster, match schedule and results.
# [https://paintballruinedmylife.com/category/events/tournaments/millennium/ Paintball Ruined My Life: Millennium Series tournament reporting]. Mediterranean Cup Semi-Pro results, March 2017.
# [https://paintballruinedmylife.com/category/events/tournaments/millennium/ Paintball Ruined My Life: "Edmonton Impact Win Mediterranean Cup; Results." 26 March 2017.] Contemporary report recording Expendables Feilding's Semi-Professional victory.
# [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://shop.dyepaintball.com/blogs/news/36938947-asylum-cup-auckland-trip-2015 DYE Paintball: "Asylum Cup, Auckland Trip 2015."] Contemporary account of Expendables' participation in the Auckland tournament.
# [https://millennium-series.epbf.info/ Millennium Series 2017 official rankings]. Final Semi-Professional championship standings.
# [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.] Interview documenting Expendables' 2023 New Zealand Race Series championship.
# [https://pbleagues.com/league/403/seasonRankings/2018 PBLeagues: NXL Europe 2018 season rankings]. Professional division.
# [https://millennium-series.epbf.info/team_profile.php?Team=Ranger+Warsaw Millennium Series: Ranger Warsaw Historical Team Profile]. Original 2017 match records documenting encounters with Expendables Feilding.
# [https://paintball.fi/kimmo-kainulainen/uutiset/1110/nxl-europen-chartresin-avausturnauksen-tulokset-2018 Kainulainen, Kimmo. "NXL Europen Chartresin avausturnauksen tulokset 2018." Paintball.fi.]
# [https://millennium-series.epbf.info/ Millennium Series: Official 2017 Season Results]. Historical final standings identifying Expendables Feilding as Semi-Professional season champions.
# [https://pbleagues.com/team/roster/fLUGa2sqQVFB2tQd PBLeagues: Expendables Prague Open 2018 roster and schedule]. Official player registration and match results.
# [https://pbleagues.com/scores/L403/seasonrankings2018.html PBLeagues: NXL Europe 2018 Original Season Rankings]. Historical Pro X-Ball standings recording Expendables fifth overall with 533 points.
# [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://paintball.fi/kimmo-kainulainen/uutiset/1110/nxl-europen-chartresin-avausturnauksen-tulokset-2018 Kainulainen, Kimmo. "NXL Europen Chartresin avausturnauksen tulokset 2018." Paintball.fi.] Contemporary report on the 2018 Chartres Open.
# [https://pbleagues.com/scores/L316/E8928/scores/finalsScores.html PBLeagues: NXL World Cup 2025 final results]. Open 3v3 X-Ball championship.
# [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.] Independent account of Expendables' Prague Open victory and international roster.
# [https://www.findglocal.com/NZ/Feilding/102027051785091/Arena-Paintball Arena Paintball: 2026 Arena Race Series standings]. Published 12 July 2026.
# [https://pbleagues.com/league/316/seasonRankings/2025 PBLeagues: National Xball League 2025 Season Rankings]. Official World Cup Pro - Open 3v3 X-Ball results.
# [https://www.findglocal.com/NZ/Feilding/102027051785091/Arena-Paintball Arena Paintball: Historical public updates and 2026 Arena Race Series standings]. Includes the 12 July 2026 team rankings.


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

Revision as of 18:21, 14 October 2026

Expendables Feilding, also known as Expendables or NZ Expendables, is a competitive paintball team based in Feilding, in the Manawatū region of New Zealand. Founded by David Hopkins, the team has competed internationally in New Zealand, Australia, Europe and the United States.

Expendables has participated in major tournament circuits including the Millennium Series, NXL Europe, the Australian Super 7's Paintball Series and the National Xball League (NXL).

The team's major achievements include winning the 2017 Millennium Series Semi-Professional championship, the 2018 Australian Super 7's Professional season championship and the 2018 NXL Europe Prague Open Professional division.

Expendables has also been associated with several members of the American professional team San Diego Dynasty, who joined its international rosters during the 2017 and 2018 European seasons.

The team maintains connections with Arena Paintball and Manawatu Titans, another internationally active New Zealand team based in Feilding.

History

Formation and early development

Expendables was founded by David Hopkins in Feilding, New Zealand.

The team developed within the competitive paintball community of the Manawatū region, initially competing in domestic tournaments before expanding into the Australian and European circuits.

The team's historical PBLeagues registration is dated 2 January 2015, with Feilding recorded as its home town and Run and Gun Feilding listed as its associated field. [1]

The registration provides an early documentary record of the team, although its precise foundation date has not been independently established.

By 2015, Expendables was participating in organised tournament paintball in Auckland.

The team's activities subsequently expanded to Australia's Super 7's Paintball Series and the European Millennium Series, where it became one of the New Zealand teams competing in professional and semi-professional international divisions.

Australian competition and international expansion

Expendables began establishing its international reputation through participation in Australia's professional tournament circuit.

The team's presence in the Australian Super 7's Paintball Series is documented from at least 2016, when it entered the fourth round of the professional competition. [2]

During this period, Expendables developed relationships with professional players and coaches from the United States.

These relationships became particularly important when the team expanded its programme into Europe in 2017.

Fundraising for the 2017 European season

In April 2017, David and Diane Hopkins established a fundraising campaign through the New Zealand platform Givealittle to support Expendables' European Millennium Series campaign.

The campaign described Expendables as a Feilding-based team competing in both Australia and Europe. [3]

It reported that the team had won the opening round of both competitions in 2017 and was seeking financial assistance to participate in the remaining events.

The funds were intended to contribute towards international airfares and accommodation.

The campaign provides contemporary evidence of the costs associated with operating a New Zealand-based tournament team across multiple international circuits.

San Diego Dynasty collaboration

Development of the relationship

Expendables established a significant competitive relationship with members of San Diego Dynasty, one of the leading professional paintball teams in the United States.

American professional player Ryan Greenspan documented the relationship in several articles published during the 2017 Millennium Series season.

According to Greenspan, members of Dynasty had increasingly participated with international teams because of the costs associated with entering a complete American professional squad in European tournaments.

Expendables recruited Greenspan, Marcello Margott and Yosh Rau to join its European roster in 2017. [4]

The arrangement combined an established New Zealand squad with experienced American professional players.

Greenspan described Expendables as an ambitious New Zealand team already competing successfully in Australia's Super 7's series.

The team sought to gain additional experience by competing in Europe against established semi-professional and professional opponents.

Coaching and player development

The relationship extended beyond the participation of American players in individual tournaments.

Greenspan identified Blake Yarber as having been involved with the team's development before its 2017 European campaign.

In a July 2017 account, Marcello Margott described the team's objective as earning promotion from the Millennium Series Semi-Professional division to the professional category for the following season. [5]

Margott also described the development of Expendables' core New Zealand players through their experience competing against European teams.

The collaboration contributed to Expendables' successful 2017 Millennium Series campaign and its subsequent participation in the NXL Europe professional division.

Professional players associated with Expendables

Several American professional players associated with San Diego Dynasty competed for Expendables during its international campaigns.

The documented players included:

The team's 2018 NXL Europe Prague Open registration confirms all five players appearing together on the Expendables roster. [6]

Rusty Glaze, who was associated with Dynasty's coaching and team operations, was also registered as Expendables staff at the event.

The multinational roster retained the team's New Zealand identity and included New Zealand and Australian players alongside the American professionals.

Contemporary European paintball coverage frequently noted the participation of Dynasty players with Expendables.

A March 2017 tournament report published by Paintball Ruined My Life identified the Mediterranean Cup Semi-Professional champions as "Expendables Feilding (Dynasty)". [7]

This relationship became a distinguishing feature of the team's international competition history.

New Zealand competitions

Auckland Paintball Cup 2015

Expendables participated in the Auckland Paintball Cup held on 7 and 8 March 2015.

The team competed in the Open X-Ball division, finishing third among seven participating teams, according to its historical PBLeagues record. [1]

Asylum Paintball Cup 2015

Expendables returned to Auckland for the Asylum Paintball Cup on 26 and 27 September 2015.

The team's participation is documented by both historical tournament records and contemporary reporting from DYE Paintball.

A tournament account published by DYE describes Expendables as an opponent during the competition and records a 2-2 draw against the team. [8]

The complete final tournament classification has not been established.

Auckland Paintball Cup 2016

Expendables competed at the Auckland Paintball Cup on 16 and 17 April 2016.

The team entered Division 2 X-Ball and finished second among eight competing teams. [1]

Asylum Paintball Cup 2016

Expendables also participated in the Asylum Paintball Cup on 3 and 4 September 2016.

The team competed in Division 2 X-Ball, although a final placement is not available in its historical tournament record. [1]

New Zealand Race Series 2023

Expendables participated in the 2023 New Zealand Race Series, which included tournaments held at Arena Paintball in Feilding.

The team incorporated international players during the season, including Tahitian player Ralph Tsing.

Tsing represented Expendables in the first two rounds of the competition before organising a separate Phoenix Tahiti entry for the final round.

The final event was held at Arena Paintball in October 2023 and featured nine teams.

Expendables advanced to the final against Ballistics Unit.

The team won the championship match 3-0, securing first place at the event.

According to a contemporary Air Tahiti Nui interview with Tsing, Expendables also won the overall 2023 New Zealand Race Series championship. [9]

Australian Super 7's Paintball Series

Early participation

Expendables competed regularly in Australia's Super 7's Paintball Series, one of the principal professional speedball competitions in the Asia-Pacific region.

The team entered the professional division against established Australian squads, including Sydney SWAT, Perth Crisis, East Side Raw and Sydney Explicit.

The team's official historical results extend from at least 2016 into the early 2020s. [2]

2016 season

Expendables entered the fourth round of the 2016 Super 7's professional season.

The team received 40 ranking points for the event.

The official series records show this as its only appearance during the 2016 season. [2]

2017 season

Expendables completed the four-round Australian Super 7's professional season in 2017.

The team won the opening round and finished third in the overall championship standings.

The official season results were:

  • Round 1: 30 points
  • Round 2: 24 points
  • Round 3: 28 points
  • Round 4: 24 points

Expendables finished with 106 ranking points.

Perth Crisis won the season championship with 116 points, followed by Sydney SWAT with 110 points. [2]

The opening-round victory was also documented in Expendables' contemporary fundraising campaign for its European programme. [3]

2018 professional championship

Expendables won the 2018 Australian Super 7's Professional season championship.

The team competed in all four rounds, recording the following points:

  • Round 1: 30 points
  • Round 2: 26 points
  • Round 3: 28 points
  • Round 4: 28 points

Expendables finished first overall with 112 ranking points.

Sydney SWAT finished second with 110 points, while Perth Crisis finished third with 100 points. [2]

The result secured the Australian professional season title for the New Zealand team.

The championship coincided with Expendables' participation in the NXL Europe professional division, including its victory at the Prague Open.

Expendables therefore won both an Australian professional season championship and a European professional tournament during 2018.

2019 season

Expendables continued competing in the Australian Super 7's professional division during 2019.

Its official season results were:

  • Round 1: 24 points
  • Round 2: 24 points
  • Round 3: 24 points
  • Round 4: 28 points

The team finished second overall with 100 ranking points.

East Side Raw won the championship with 110 points, while Perth Crisis finished third with 98 points. [2]

The official standings mark Expendables' scores as subject to the competition's ranking-point adjustment rules concerning multiple American professional players.

2020 and 2021 appearances

Expendables continued appearing in the Australian Super 7's rankings during the following years.

The official records list the team in the 2020 professional competition, which completed only one round.

Expendables also appeared in the single recorded professional round of the 2021 season, receiving 24 ranking points. [2]

The limited number of rounds recorded for those years should not be confused with a complete four-event championship.

European competition

Millennium Series 2017

Expendables entered the 2017 Millennium Series in the Semi-Professional division, competing under the name Expendables Feilding.

The European season consisted of four tournaments:

  • Mediterranean Cup, Puget-sur-Argens, France
  • European Masters, Bitburg, Germany
  • Campaign Cup, London-Gatwick, United Kingdom
  • World Cup, Paris-Chantilly, France

The team competed with a combination of New Zealand players and experienced American professional guests.

Mediterranean Cup

Expendables won the Semi-Professional division at the Mediterranean Cup in March 2017.

The victory was documented in contemporary reports by Ryan Greenspan and Paintball Ruined My Life. [4][7]

Greenspan described the team defeating Lucky 15s Staffordshire in a closely contested final.

He highlighted a late contribution from Yosh Rau that helped secure the victory.

The tournament marked a successful start to Expendables' European campaign.

European Masters

Expendables continued its Millennium Series campaign at the European Masters in Bitburg, Germany, in May 2017.

The team won the Semi-Professional division, recording its second consecutive tournament victory.

The result was confirmed in firsthand accounts by Ryan Greenspan and Marcello Margott. [5]

Historical Millennium Series match records also document Expendables defeating Ranger Warsaw 4-0 in the quarterfinals at the event. [10]

Campaign Cup

Expendables competed at the London-Gatwick Campaign Cup in June 2017.

The team entered the event following consecutive victories in France and Germany.

Marcello Margott described the team's preparations and its objective of securing promotion to the professional division for 2018. [5]

The team progressed from the preliminary stage as a leading seed.

The event formed part of Expendables' successful overall championship campaign.

World Cup and season championship

Expendables completed the 2017 Millennium Series at the World Cup in Paris-Chantilly in September.

The team finished first in the overall Semi-Professional season standings.

The official Millennium Series final ranking placed Expendables Feilding ahead of Cologne Hurricanes and Bad Boys Oss. [11]

Winning the season championship secured Expendables' position among the leading Semi-Professional teams in Europe and preceded its entry into the professional division in 2018.

NXL Europe 2018

Expendables moved into the professional division of NXL Europe for the 2018 season.

The team competed against internationally established professional squads, including Edmonton Impact, Houston Heat, Moscow Red Legion and Toulouse TonTons.

The four-event season comprised tournaments in Chartres, Prague, Basildon-London and Paris-Chantilly.

Expendables' official original season results were:

  • Chartres Open: 4th of 18
  • Prague Open: 1st of 18
  • Basildon-London Open: 9th of 18
  • Paris-Chantilly Open: 15th of 18

The original NXL Europe season standings record Expendables finishing fifth overall with 533 points. [12]

Chartres Open

Expendables began the 2018 season at the NXL Europe Chartres Open in France, held from 13 to 15 April.

The team reached the professional division's final four.

Expendables finished fourth among 18 competing teams.

The result was independently reported by Finnish paintball journalist Kimmo Kainulainen. [13]

Prague Open

Expendables won the Professional X-Ball division at the 2018 NXL Europe Prague Open, held in the Czech Republic from 25 to 27 May.

The competition featured 18 professional teams.

The official PBLeagues roster listed eight players:

Rusty Glaze was registered as team staff. [6]

The roster combined New Zealand and Australian players with several established American professionals associated with San Diego Dynasty.

Expendables completed the preliminary stage with two victories and two defeats.

The team's results included a 5-0 victory over Offenburg Comin at Ya and a 6-1 victory over All Starz Red Storm.

In the elimination rounds, Expendables defeated:

  • PPArena Pilsen, 6-3
  • Moscow Red Legion, 6-5
  • Toulouse TonTons, 6-1

The team faced Edmonton Impact in the championship final.

Expendables won the final 5-4, securing first place in the professional division. [6]

The tournament's leading teams were:

  • Champion: Expendables Feilding
  • Runner-up: Edmonton Impact
  • Third: Toulouse TonTons
  • Fourth: Houston Heat

The victory was independently reported by Kimmo Kainulainen on 27 May 2018.

His report noted that Expendables represented New Zealand while fielding several members of the American Dynasty organisation. [14]

The Prague Open victory was one of the team's most significant international achievements.

Basildon-London Open

Expendables continued the 2018 NXL Europe season at the Basildon-London Open in the United Kingdom.

The team advanced beyond the preliminary stage but finished ninth overall in the professional division. [12]

Paris-Chantilly Open

Expendables completed its European season at the Paris-Chantilly Open in France.

The team finished fifteenth among 18 professional entrants.

The result concluded a season in which Expendables had won the Prague Open and finished fifth overall in the original NXL Europe professional rankings. [12]

United States competition

NXL World Cup 2025

Expendables competed in the 2025 National Xball League World Cup, held in Kissimmee, Florida, United States, in November.

The team entered the Pro - Open 3v3 X-Ball division.

Four teams participated in the competition.

Expendables progressed to the elimination rounds and defeated BLK 3-2 in the semifinals.

The team advanced to the final against Wyldside Distortion.

Wyldside Distortion won the championship match 3-0, with Expendables finishing second overall. [15]

The result represented another international World Cup podium for the New Zealand team.

The official NXL rankings recorded Expendables second in the division, behind Wyldside Distortion and ahead of BLK and KC Missouri Allstars. [15]

Arena Paintball and regional development

Connection with Feilding

Expendables has maintained a connection with the competitive paintball community in Feilding, New Zealand.

The team's early PBLeagues records identify Run and Gun Feilding as its associated playing field. [1]

More recent activities have been associated with Arena Paintball, a tournament and recreational paintball facility on Kimbolton Road in Feilding.

Arena Paintball has described itself publicly as the home of Expendables. [16]

The facility hosts local, national and international competitive paintball events.

The precise historical relationship between Run and Gun Feilding and Arena Paintball has not yet been established.

Relationship with Manawatu Titans

Expendables and Manawatu Titans are closely connected to the competitive paintball community in the Manawatū region.

Both teams have been associated with the Hopkins family, Feilding and Arena Paintball.

Manawatu Titans has emerged as a prominent international team identity, competing in the American NXL Semi-Pro division and Australia's professional Super 7's circuit.

However, the teams should not be treated as identical or as a confirmed formal rebranding.

Both names have continued appearing as separate entries in competition records.

At the 2025 NXL World Cup, Expendables competed in Pro - Open 3v3 X-Ball, while Manawatu Titans entered other divisions.

The 2026 Arena Race Series also listed Expendables and Manawatu Titans as separate teams.

Arena Race Series 2026

Expendables participated in the 2026 Arena Race Series, held at Arena Paintball in Feilding.

The series featured New Zealand and Australian teams.

After the second round, Expendables occupied fourth place in the provisional standings with 303 points.

The leading teams at that stage were:

  • Manawatu Titans: 386 points
  • Sydney SWAT: 359 points
  • Cult: 350 points
  • Expendables: 303 points

The standings were published by Arena Paintball on 12 July 2026. [16]

The two Feilding-based team identities were independently ranked within the same competition.

Feilding Paintball Club

The wider development of organised paintball in Feilding also included Feilding Paintball Club Incorporated.

Historical records show the club receiving assistance through local sport and community development programmes, including funding for paintball safety infrastructure during 2018 and 2019.

The registered club subsequently appeared in a 2021 New Zealand Gazette dissolution notice.

The club's precise legal and organisational relationship with Expendables has not been independently established.

It should therefore be distinguished from the tournament team rather than presented as the same organisation.

Tournament results

The following table summarises selected documented tournament results.

Year Tournament Country Division Result
2015 Auckland Paintball Cup New Zealand Open X-Ball 3rd of 7
2016 Auckland Paintball Cup New Zealand Division 2 X-Ball 2nd of 8
2017 Super 7's Paintball Series Australia Professional 3rd overall
2017 Millennium Mediterranean Cup France Semi-Professional 1st
2017 Millennium European Masters Germany Semi-Professional 1st
2017 Millennium Series season championship Europe Semi-Professional 1st overall
2018 NXL Europe Chartres Open France Professional X-Ball 4th of 18
2018 NXL Europe Prague Open Czech Republic Professional X-Ball 1st of 18
2018 NXL Europe Basildon-London Open United Kingdom Professional X-Ball 9th of 18
2018 NXL Europe Paris-Chantilly Open France Professional X-Ball 15th of 18
2018 NXL Europe season championship Europe Professional X-Ball 5th overall
2018 Super 7's Paintball Series Australia Professional 1st overall
2019 Super 7's Paintball Series Australia Professional 2nd overall
2023 New Zealand Race Series, final round New Zealand Race format 1st
2023 New Zealand Race Series season championship New Zealand Race format 1st overall
2025 NXL World Cup United States Pro - Open 3v3 X-Ball 2nd of 4

The table includes selected confirmed results and is not intended as an exhaustive record of every tournament entered by the team.

Significance

Expendables Feilding has achieved success in multiple international tournament paintball circuits.

The team's 2017 Millennium Series Semi-Professional championship and 2018 NXL Europe Prague Open Professional victory established its record in European competition.

Its 2018 Australian Super 7's Professional season championship demonstrated sustained competitive results across an entire Australasian tournament season.

Expendables also developed a notable international roster model, combining New Zealand players with established American professionals, particularly from San Diego Dynasty.

The organisation's activities contributed to the participation of New Zealand-based teams in European professional paintball and supported continued competitive activity in the Manawatū region.

See also

References

  1. PBLeagues: Expendables. Historical team profile, registration information and tournament results.
  2. Super 7's Paintball Series: Historical Results. Official Australian championship rankings, including Expendables' 2016–2021 appearances and 2018 championship.
  3. Givealittle: Expendables Europe Trip. Fundraising campaign organised by David and Diane Hopkins, April 2017.
  4. Greenspan, Ryan. "Millennium Mediterranean Cup." 28 March 2017. Firsthand account of the Expendables European campaign and San Diego Dynasty player involvement.
  5. Margott, Marcello. "A Month of Paintball: Dynasty, Team USA, Expendables." 7 July 2017. Firsthand account of the team's Millennium Series participation and professional ambitions.
  6. PBLeagues: Expendables at the 2018 Prague Open. Official player roster, match schedule and results.
  7. Paintball Ruined My Life: "Edmonton Impact Win Mediterranean Cup; Results." 26 March 2017. Contemporary report recording Expendables Feilding's Semi-Professional victory.
  8. DYE Paintball: "Asylum Cup, Auckland Trip 2015." Contemporary account of Expendables' participation in the Auckland tournament.
  9. Air Tahiti Nui: "Paintball : Ralph Tsing enchaine les bons résultats." 31 October 2023. Interview documenting Expendables' 2023 New Zealand Race Series championship.
  10. Millennium Series: Ranger Warsaw Historical Team Profile. Original 2017 match records documenting encounters with Expendables Feilding.
  11. Millennium Series: Official 2017 Season Results. Historical final standings identifying Expendables Feilding as Semi-Professional season champions.
  12. PBLeagues: NXL Europe 2018 Original Season Rankings. Historical Pro X-Ball standings recording Expendables fifth overall with 533 points.
  13. Kainulainen, Kimmo. "NXL Europen Chartresin avausturnauksen tulokset 2018." Paintball.fi. Contemporary report on the 2018 Chartres Open.
  14. Kainulainen, Kimmo. "Expendables Prahan NXL-turnauksen voittoon 2018." Paintball.fi, 27 May 2018. Independent account of Expendables' Prague Open victory and international roster.
  15. PBLeagues: National Xball League 2025 Season Rankings. Official World Cup Pro - Open 3v3 X-Ball results.
  16. Arena Paintball: Historical public updates and 2026 Arena Race Series standings. Includes the 12 July 2026 team rankings.
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