South Auckland Paintball Club
South Auckland Paintball Club Incorporated (SAPC) was a paintball club and tournament organiser based in Auckland, New Zealand. Founded in 2011 by Michael Earley and formally incorporated in September 2013, the organisation promoted recreational and competitive paintball through club days, introductory competitions and the South Auckland Paintball Club Race Series.
The club initially operated at Lock N Load Paintball near Auckland Airport, where it established a five-player hopperball league. Its later Race Series was held at Asylum Paintball at the former Kingseat Hospital in South Auckland.
SAPC organised Open Race-to-4 and mechanical-pump competitions, adopted international playing rules and introduced the APPA player and team registration system to its events. The club also arranged sponsorship opportunities for successful New Zealand teams to compete internationally.
Vitaly Miheev was president of the club during the 2014 season.
SAPC operated independently of the New Zealand Paintball Players League (NZPPL), although both organisations were active in the Auckland competitive paintball community.
History
Foundation in 2011
South Auckland Paintball Club was founded in 2011 by New Zealand paintball player and organiser Michael Earley.
The organisation was established to provide opportunities for regular participation in organised paintball, including social games, club training and accessible competitive events.
Earley was professionally involved in commercial paintball facilities and did not serve on SAPC's governing committee, choosing to separate the club's governance from his professional responsibilities to avoid potential conflicts of interest.
SAPC operated informally before registering as an incorporated society in 2013.
The club maintained an online blog from at least August 2011, publishing information about playing opportunities, legislation, competitive paintball and tournament organisation. [1]
Lock N Load Paintball
SAPC's earliest documented playing activities took place at Lock N Load Paintball, a commercial paintball venue located on Nixon Road near Auckland Airport.
Lock N Load opened in 2011 and included facilities for competitive speedball. [2]
On 10 October 2011, the club announced its first organised club day at the venue.
The announcement encouraged existing paintball players and prospective members to attend.
Participants were expected to provide their own equipment.
The club advertised a NZ$20 playing fee, discounted paintballs and compressed-air fills to 3,000 psi.
The club day was intended to provide opportunities for players to meet, practise and participate in organised games. [1]
SAPC Five-Man League
In October 2011, the club announced the establishment of the SAPC Five-Man League.
The competition was designed to provide affordable tournament-style paintball for established teams and individual players.
It used a hopperball format in which players were restricted to the paintballs carried in their loaders.
The restriction reduced equipment requirements and helped limit playing costs.
Players without an existing team were encouraged to attend, with the organisers proposing to assemble temporary teams where sufficient individuals were available.
The competition was based at Lock N Load Paintball and generally scheduled for Sundays that did not conflict with NZPPL tournaments.
The published arrangements included:
- Five-player hopperball competition
- NZ$20 entry fee per player
- Discounted field paintballs
- Free compressed-air fills to 3,000 psi
- Rules based on the NZPPL's 2011 and 2012 regulations
- Refereeing responsibilities shared between participating teams
- Registration beginning at 9:00 am
- Games scheduled from 10:00 am
The original provisional calendar listed two events in 2011 and nine in 2012. [1]
Provisional 2011 calendar
- 13 November 2011
- 11 December 2011
Provisional 2012 calendar
- 15 January 2012
- 12 February 2012
- 11 March 2012
- 13 May 2012
- 8 July 2012
- 12 August 2012
- 9 September 2012
- 11 November 2012
- 9 December 2012
These dates were published as a proposed schedule. The surviving announcement does not independently confirm that every event took place.
Influence of the Auckland Super Five-Man League
SAPC's early competition programme drew inspiration from an earlier Auckland Super Five-Man League.
In his 2014 season review, club president Vitaly Miheev acknowledged Gavin of Red Alert Paintball Games for his involvement in establishing the earlier competition.
Miheev described the Auckland Super Five-Man League as an important influence on SAPC's subsequent league programme. [3]
The earlier competition had reportedly operated approximately a decade before the 2014 review.
The precise founding date and complete results of the Auckland Super Five-Man League have not been established.
Paintball legislation
SAPC also published information about regulatory developments affecting paintball in New Zealand.
On 8 August 2011, the club's blog discussed proposed changes to firearms legislation and their potential implications for paintball markers.
The article addressed issues concerning restricted airguns, electronic markers and firing modes used in competitive paintball.
It also encouraged participation in organised clubs and promoted awareness of the proposed legislation.
At the time, SAPC advertised free social membership and free membership for players under 18. [4]
The material documents the club's involvement in communicating regulatory issues to players, although it does not establish that SAPC made a formal parliamentary submission.
Incorporation in 2013
South Auckland Paintball Club Incorporated was registered as a New Zealand incorporated society on 10 September 2013.
The organisation was assigned society number 2587862.
Its registered address was 19 Harper Street, Papakura, Auckland. [5]
The registration formalised an organisation that had already conducted paintball activities since 2011.
SAPC maintained its own organisational identity and competition programme, separate from the commercial playing fields used for its events.
SAPC Race Series
Establishment
The SAPC Race Series developed from the club's earlier five-player competition programme.
By 2013, the club was organising competitive paintball events at Asylum Paintball, a venue at the former Kingseat Hospital in Karaka.
The Race Series used timed, multi-point competition formats and provided teams with opportunities to compete for event and season championships.
The club subsequently offered separate Open and mechanical-pump divisions.
The series operated independently of the NZPPL, with its own calendar, registration arrangements and rankings.
2013 season
South Auckland Paintball Club organised a Race Series during 2013.
The competition was held at Asylum Paintball in South Auckland.
A surviving Asylum Paintball announcement advertised the December 2013 series final.
On 19 December 2013, Asylum Paintball published a report covering the season results. [6]
The competition included Open Division teams competing in Division 1 and Division 2.
Contemporary reporting identified ADHD as the 2013 SAPC Race Series champion.
The complete event-by-event standings have not yet been recovered.
The 2013 season predates the earliest SAPC competition results preserved in PBLeagues.
2014 season
The 2014 SAPC Race Series consisted of four events.
The competition adopted the playing rules of the Asia Pacific Paintball Federation (APPBF) and included an Open Race-to-4 division and a mechanical-pump Division 4 category.
The club's official season review described the Open division as encompassing the equivalent of APPBF Divisions 1 to 3. [3]
The recorded calendar was:
| Round | Event | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SAPC February Race | 8 and 9 February 2014 |
| 2 | SAPC May Race | 3 and 4 May 2014 |
| 3 | SAPC July Race | 12 and 13 July 2014 |
| 4 | SAPC September Race | 27 and 28 September 2014 |
The series attracted experienced tournament teams and developing squads.
Open Race-to-4
The Open division used a Race-to-4 format.
The club's 2014 season review described the competition as operating under unmodified APPBF rules.
SAPC reported that the format produced faster games and more competitive tournament play.
The Open division is identified as Open X-Ball in the surviving PBLeagues registration. [7]
ADHD won the 2014 Open championship.
The team won all four events, accumulating the maximum possible 400 ranking points.
The complete season standings were:
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ADHD | 400 |
| 2 | Disposal Unit | 314.5 |
| 3 | Tempest | 229 |
| 4 | CamoMeat | 178 |
| 5 | Shattered | 173.5 |
| 6 | Mischief Militia | 30 |
| 7 | Low Gear | 25 |
| 8 | ADHD Black | 25 |
ADHD's four victories secured the season championship ahead of Disposal Unit and Tempest. [7]
Mechanical Pump Division 4
SAPC introduced a regular Mechanical Pump Division 4 competition during the 2014 season.
The division used mechanically operated pump-action markers and followed the club's adopted APPBF competition standards.
The club described the division as a developing entry-level pathway for tournament paintball.
Its September 2014 review reported participation by eight different teams across the mechanical programme and anticipated that some players would progress to the Open division during the following season. [3]
The PBLeagues season rankings record seven teams in the three-round Mechanical Pump Division 4 championship.
The final standings were:
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ADHD Red | 270 |
| 2 | OFF | 177.5 |
| 3 | One Shot Bro | 135 |
| 4 | Detachment | 50 |
| 5 | ADHD White | 40 |
| 6 | Flashback | 32.5 |
| 7 | Mixed Madness | 10 |
ADHD Red won the first two rounds and finished second in the final round, securing the championship with 270 points. [7]
The opening event in February 2014 also included a separate Mechanical Pump Beginner division.
Adoption of international standards
A major organisational development during 2014 was SAPC's adoption of APPBF competition rules and the APPA registration system.
In its September 2014 season review, the club claimed to have been the first New Zealand tournament organisation to adopt APPBF playing rules without modification across its events. [3]
The club also reported introducing APPA team and player registration software.
The system provided individual player records, team registrations and tournament rankings.
SAPC described these registrations as compatible with competition systems used internationally, including by the Paintball Asia League Series (PALS), Paintball Sports Promotions (PSP) and the National Collegiate Paintball Association (NCPA).
The club regarded the adoption of international registration and rules standards as a means of improving consistency between New Zealand competitions and overseas tournaments.
The claims that SAPC was the first New Zealand organisation to adopt these systems are based on the club's contemporary account and have not been independently verified against all earlier New Zealand competitions.
Tournament operations and support
SAPC's 2014 programme was supported by referees, media contributors and local paintball businesses.
In the club's end-of-season review, president Vitaly Miheev emphasised the importance of referees in maintaining safe and fair competition. [3]
The review acknowledged the contribution of Tony Dickson of Black Sheep Media, who had provided tournament photography and other media coverage from the club's early years.
Miheev credited Dickson with regularly attending events, documenting competition and helping promote the club's activities.
The review also acknowledged Gavin of Red Alert Paintball Games for supplying a spare compressor to support club events.
Gavin was additionally credited for his role in establishing the earlier Auckland Super Five-Man League, which had influenced the development of SAPC's competition programme.
These contributions supported the club's ability to organise regular competitive events while keeping participation costs comparatively low.
World Cup Asia 2014 initiative
In January 2014, SAPC announced an initiative intended to support successful New Zealand players travelling to Paintball World Cup Asia in Langkawi, Malaysia.
The original announcement promoted prizes associated with the PALS World Cup Asia event. [8]
The club's September 2014 season review provided further details of the arrangement.
It stated that the SAPC season winners would compete in the Division 2 tournament at World Cup Asia.
The announced support included:
- Tournament entry fees sponsored by the Paintball Asia League Series
- Accommodation sponsored by Asylum Paintball
The review also stated that SAPC's president would serve as an official tournament coordinator at the event. [3]
The announcement indicates that SAPC had developed relationships with international tournament organisers and sponsors.
The available club report documents the planned participation and sponsorship arrangements, but does not independently confirm the final travelling roster or the team's tournament results.
2014 season review
The club published its end-of-season review on 30 September 2014.
The report was signed by Vitaly V. Miheev, SAPC President, and dated 27 September 2014. [3]
Miheev identified several achievements from the season, including adoption of international playing rules, implementation of APPA registration, expansion of mechanical-pump competition and overseas tournament opportunities.
The report also recognised support from referees, participating teams, Black Sheep Media and Red Alert Paintball Games.
SAPC stated that it had maintained its tournament entry fees and paintball prices while expanding the programme.
The review identified grassroots participation, development of Division 4 teams and increasing public recognition of competitive paintball as priorities for the following season.
2015 season
SAPC continued its Race Series during 2015.
The surviving PBLeagues registration documents four events:
| Round | Event | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SAPC Division 4 and Open Event 1 | 31 January and 1 February 2015 |
| 2 | SAPC Division 4 and Open Event 2 | 11 and 12 April 2015 |
| 3 | SAPC Division 4 and Open Event 3 | 13 and 14 June 2015 |
| 4 | SAPC Division 4 and Open Event 4 | 1 and 2 August 2015 |
The series maintained separate Open and Mechanical Pump Division 4 championships.
Open division
Auckland Faction won the 2015 SAPC Open championship.
ADHD won the first event, while Auckland Faction won each of the remaining three rounds.
The final season standings were:
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auckland Faction | 387.14 |
| 2 | Addicted | 293.93 |
| 3 | ADHD | 242.5 |
| 4 | CamoMeat | 155.71 |
| 5 | Wolves | 84.29 |
| 6 | Shattered | 83.57 |
| 7 | BOP Blast | 62.86 |
| 8 | Mischief Militia | 10 |
Auckland Faction finished first with 387.14 points. [9]
Mechanical Pump Division 4
Detachment won the 2015 Mechanical Pump Division 4 championship.
The final standings were:
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detachment | 317.5 |
| 2 | Kaos Theory | 310 |
| 3 | Mind Mechanics | 212.5 |
| 4 | OFF | 65 |
| 5 | Check Mate | 20 |
| 6 | ADHD Red | 10 |
Detachment secured the championship by 7.5 points over Kaos Theory. [9]
Organisation and governance
Founder
Michael Earley founded South Auckland Paintball Club in 2011.
Earley was involved in developing organised tournament paintball activities in Auckland and had professional responsibilities at commercial paintball venues.
He did not serve on the club's governing committee, deliberately avoiding a formal governance position because of potential conflicts of interest with his commercial field roles.
The club operated as a separate sporting organisation and subsequently became an incorporated society in September 2013.
President
Vitaly Miheev was president of South Auckland Paintball Club during the 2014 season.
Miheev's position is directly confirmed by the club's September 2014 end-of-season report, which he signed in his capacity as president. [3]
The report describes the club's tournament operations, competitive development programme, international relationships and priorities for the 2015 season.
Miheev was also associated with the New Zealand competitive paintball team ADHD.
The available documents do not establish the precise beginning or end of his presidential term.
Volunteers and contributors
The club relied on volunteer support to operate its events.
The 2014 president's report specifically acknowledged:
- Tony Dickson, Black Sheep Media, for tournament photography and media coverage
- Gavin, Red Alert Paintball Games, for lending a compressor and contributing to the earlier Auckland Super Five-Man League
- Tournament referees, for maintaining safe and consistent competition
- Participating teams and players, for supporting the club's regular events
- Asylum Paintball, for supporting the club's events and providing accommodation sponsorship for World Cup Asia
These acknowledgements document contributions to the club without implying formal committee positions.
Playing venues
Lock N Load Paintball
Lock N Load Paintball was the first documented regular playing venue used by SAPC.
The commercial facility was located on Nixon Road near Auckland Airport.
It hosted the club's early membership activities and proposed Five-Man League.
Asylum Paintball
Asylum Paintball was the principal documented venue for the SAPC Race Series.
The facility operated at the former Kingseat Hospital in Karaka, South Auckland.
The venue included a tournament speedball playing field and hosted organised competitions.
Asylum Paintball's historical website documented SAPC event announcements, competition results and the development of the Race Series.
The venue also hosted events operated by other organisations, including the NZPPL.
Relationship with the NZPPL
South Auckland Paintball Club was independent of the New Zealand Paintball Players League.
The clubs and leagues participated in the same wider competitive paintball community but maintained separate event programmes.
SAPC's early Five-Man League used rules based on those of the NZPPL and deliberately avoided scheduling clashes with major NZPPL events.
By 2014, SAPC was using APPBF regulations for its Race Series.
A March 2014 media release identified SAPC and NZPPL as separate tournament programmes operating at Asylum Paintball. [10]
The SAPC Race Series maintained its own season rankings through PBLeagues.
Media and promotion
South Auckland Paintball Club maintained an independent website and blog during its years of operation.
The original domain, southaucklandpaintballclub.com, was linked from the club's historical PBLeagues registration.
The club also published material through a Tumblr blog under the name SAPC Inc.
Its articles documented tournament announcements, results, rule changes, club activities and international competition opportunities.
The club's September 2014 review identified Black Sheep Media and Tony Dickson as longstanding contributors to its media coverage.
The review also reported that the club had received attention from paintball communities overseas and coverage in New Zealand media.
The surviving blog provides a historical record of the club's activities before and after formal incorporation.
Later history
The final SAPC Race Series tournament currently documented in PBLeagues took place on 1 and 2 August 2015.
No later SAPC season has been recovered from the accessible tournament records.
The incorporated society was subsequently dissolved.
The precise dissolution date and the date on which the club ceased organising activities have not yet been independently established.
Historical significance
South Auckland Paintball Club contributed to competitive paintball development in Auckland during the early 2010s.
Its original Five-Man League provided an accessible entry point into organised tournament paintball.
The subsequent Race Series introduced regular Open Race-to-4 and mechanical-pump competitions.
SAPC's 2014 programme was notable for its documented adoption of APPBF competition rules and APPA player registration, which aligned its domestic tournaments with systems used internationally.
The club also developed relationships with the Paintball Asia League Series and arranged sponsorship intended to support New Zealand tournament players travelling to World Cup Asia.
Its surviving blog, contemporary tournament reports and PBLeagues records provide documentation of New Zealand competitive paintball during the transition from locally organised competitions to wider international tournament formats.
See also
- Michael Earley
- Vitaly Miheev
- Lock N Load Paintball
- Asylum Paintball
- Red Alert Paintball Games
- New Zealand Paintball Players League
- ADHD (paintball team)
- Paintball Asia League Series
- Paintball World Cup Asia
- Paintball in New Zealand
References
- South Auckland Paintball Club. "SAPC Inc." Historical club blog. Contains announcements dating from 2011, including the October club day and proposed Five-Man League.
- Auckland Airport. "Paintball is coming to the airport!" 28 April 2011. Contemporary announcement concerning Lock N Load Paintball.
- South Auckland Paintball Club. "2014 End of Season Round Up." 30 September 2014. Statement signed by Vitaly V. Miheev, SAPC President, dated 27 September 2014. Documents club governance, APPBF rules, APPA registration, competition development, contributors and World Cup Asia sponsorship arrangements.
- South Auckland Paintball Club. Historical blog posts, August 2011. Includes discussion of proposed changes to New Zealand firearms legislation and paintball club membership.
- InfoProff. "New Zealand organisations registered on 10 September 2013." Historical registration details for South Auckland Paintball Club Incorporated, society number 2587862.
- Asylum Paintball. "South Auckland Paintball Club Inc Race Series Results." 19 December 2013. Contemporary report on the 2013 SAPC Race Series.
- PBLeagues. "2014 Season Rankings: South Auckland Paintball Club." Original Open X-Ball and Mechanical Pump Division 4 standings.
- South Auckland Paintball Club. "SAPC Inc - Sending Kiwis to Paintball World Cup Asia 2014." 26 January 2014. Original announcement concerning international tournament prizes.
- PBLeagues. "2015 Season Rankings: South Auckland Paintball Club." Original Open X-Ball and Mechanical Pump Division 4 standings.
- Blacksheep Communications. "Blacksheep Media Release 2013 NZPPL Video." Scoop, 16 March 2014. Contemporary report identifying SAPC and NZPPL as separate competition organisers.
- PBLeagues. "South Auckland Paintball Club." Historical league registration and event calendar.