GK Goblins (New Zealand Paintball Team)
GK Goblins was a New Zealand competitive paintball team associated with Actions Paintball in Auckland. Contemporary records document the team at three tournaments between 2001 and 2002, under the names GK Goblins and Goblins.[1][2][3]
The team made its first documented tournament appearance at the 2001 New Zealand Paintball Nationals. A contemporary report described GK Goblins as a new team sponsored by Actions Paintball.[1] Former participants identify the initials “GK” as “Grassy Knoll”, referring to the named playing field at Actions Paintball's Swanson venue; that expansion has not been found in a contemporary published team record. Actions later publicly listed Grassy Knoll among its Swanson playing fields.[4]
History
2001 New Zealand Nationals
GK Goblins competed at the 2001 New Zealand Paintball Nationals. The team scored 434 preliminary points and did not advance to the final round.[1]
The contemporary Valhalla season table awarded GK Goblins 31 ranking points for the Nationals and placed the team twentieth in the 2001 seven-player standings.[2]
An archived New Zealand team contact list named “Luke” as the contact for GK Goblins.[5] Former team members have identified him as Luke Longstaff, although the recovered contact list does not supply his surname.
2002 season
The team appeared as Goblins at the 2002 Northland Open. The event used seven-player, two-flag games and was played under New Zealand Paintball Players Association rules. Goblins finished sixth among eight teams with 235 points and placed fourth among the four Division 2 entries. Adam Pinfold of Goblins received the event's Player of the Match award.[3]
Goblins later competed in the 2002 Auckland 5-Man Tournament at Actions Paintball in Swanson on 26 October. The team finished fifth among seven entries with 365 points.[6]
Former participants identify Luke Longstaff, Adam Pinfold and Michael Earley as members of the 2002 team. Of these, Pinfold's association is directly confirmed by the recovered tournament report; the complete playing rosters for the two 2002 events have not been recovered.[3]
Later use of the name
Former participants recall a later GK Goblins entry in 2008, linked to Luke Longstaff and including some former Solidaire players. A contemporary tournament record confirming the event, roster and precise organisational continuity has not yet been recovered, so the recollection is not included in the results table.
Selected tournament results
| Year | Tournament | Recorded name | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 2001 New Zealand Paintball Nationals | GK Goblins | 434 preliminary points; did not reach the final round |
| 2002 | 2002 Northland Open | Goblins | 6th of 8; 235 points |
| 2002 | 2002 Auckland 5-Man Tournament | Goblins | 5th of 7; 365 points |
See also
References
- The 2001 Two Day NZ Nationals Tournament. Rob Maddox, paintball.co.nz. Contemporary report describing GK Goblins as a new Actions Paintball-sponsored team and recording 434 preliminary points.
- Valhalla 2001 rankings. Mercenaries Star. Seven-player season table recording GK Goblins' Nationals ranking points.
- The 2002 Northland Paintball Open. Rob Maddox, paintball.co.nz. Results and Adam Pinfold's Player of the Match award.
- Scenario Sunday. Actions Paintball. Operator page naming Grassy Knoll among the Swanson playing fields.
- New Zealand paintball team contacts. Archived NZ Paintball forum discussion listing “Luke” as the GK Goblins contact.
- Auckland 5-Man Tournament. Rob Maddox, paintball.co.nz, October 2002. Contemporary report and results.