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'''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.
'''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 incorporated in September 2013, the club organised recreational and competitive paintball events, including the SAPC Five-Man League and SAPC 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.
The club initially operated at [[Lock N Load Paintball]] near Auckland Airport before moving its tournament programme to [[Asylum Paintball]] in Karaka. Its competitions included five-player hopperball, Open Race-to-4 and mechanical-pump divisions.


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.
SAPC was among the New Zealand tournament organisations adopting Asia Pacific Paintball Federation (APPBF) rules and APPA player registration during the early 2010s. It also established relationships with international tournament organisers, including the [[Paintball Asia League Series]] (PALS).
 
[[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 ==
== History ==


=== Foundation in 2011 ===
=== Establishment and early competitions, 2011–2012 ===
 
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]
South Auckland Paintball Club was founded in 2011 by [[Michael Earley]], a New Zealand paintball player and industry professional. Earley did not serve on the club's governing committee, avoiding potential conflicts of interest with his professional involvement in commercial paintball fields.


The registration formalised an organisation that had already conducted paintball activities since 2011.
SAPC's first documented activities took place at [[Lock N Load Paintball]], which opened near Auckland Airport in 2011.


SAPC maintained its own organisational identity and competition programme, separate from the commercial playing fields used for its events.
An October 2011 announcement advertised a club day offering organised games for players with their own equipment, with a NZ$20 playing fee and discounted paintballs. [1]


== SAPC Race Series ==
The club subsequently announced the SAPC Five-Man League, an affordable competition using a hopperball format that restricted players to the paintballs carried in their loaders. Players could enter individually, with temporary teams formed when sufficient participants were available.


=== Establishment ===
The league used rules based on those of the [[New Zealand Paintball Players League]] (NZPPL), with participating teams sharing refereeing duties. A provisional calendar listed events from November 2011 through December 2012, although not every scheduled date has been independently confirmed. [1]


The SAPC Race Series developed from the club's earlier five-player competition programme.
SAPC's early competition programme drew inspiration from the Auckland Super Five-Man League, an earlier tournament series that Gavin of Red Alert Paintball Games had helped establish.


By 2013, the club was organising competitive paintball events at [[Asylum Paintball]], a venue at the former Kingseat Hospital in Karaka.
The club also published information about proposed changes to New Zealand firearms legislation in August 2011, discussing their potential implications for paintball markers. [2]


The Race Series used timed, multi-point competition formats and provided teams with opportunities to compete for event and season championships.
=== Incorporation and the 2013 Race Series ===


The club subsequently offered separate Open and mechanical-pump divisions.
South Auckland Paintball Club Incorporated was registered on '''10 September 2013''', under society number '''2587862'''. Its registered address was 19 Harper Street, Papakura. [3]


The series operated independently of the NZPPL, with its own calendar, registration arrangements and rankings.
By this time, SAPC had established the Race Series at [[Asylum Paintball]], located at the former Kingseat Hospital in Karaka.


=== 2013 season ===
The series provided regular tournament competition independently of the NZPPL, which also organised events at Asylum.


South Auckland Paintball Club organised a Race Series during 2013.
The 2013 season included Open Division competition, with [[ADHD (paintball team)|ADHD]] identified as the season champion.


The competition was held at Asylum Paintball in South Auckland.
Asylum Paintball published the final results in December 2013, although the complete event-by-event standings have not been recovered. [4]


A surviving Asylum Paintball announcement advertised the December 2013 series final.
=== 2014 Race Series ===


On 19 December 2013, Asylum Paintball published a report covering the season results. [6]
The 2014 Race Series consisted of four rounds held in February, May, July and September.


The competition included Open Division teams competing in Division 1 and Division 2.
SAPC introduced an Open Race-to-4 division using APPBF rules and expanded its mechanical-pump programme with a Division 4 competition.


Contemporary reporting identified [[ADHD (paintball team)|ADHD]] as the 2013 SAPC Race Series champion.
The club also implemented the APPA registration system, allowing players and teams to maintain individual competition records and rankings compatible with international tournament systems.


The complete event-by-event standings have not yet been recovered.
In its September 2014 season review, SAPC claimed to be the first New Zealand tournament organisation to adopt unmodified APPBF rules across its events and introduce APPA registration. [5]


The 2013 season predates the earliest SAPC competition results preserved in PBLeagues.
The series attracted teams from Auckland and other regions, including Tauranga.


=== 2014 season ===
==== 2014 championship results ====


The 2014 SAPC Race Series consisted of four events.
[[ADHD (paintball team)|ADHD]] won all four Open Race-to-4 events, securing the championship with the maximum 400 ranking points.


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 Mechanical Pump Division 4 championship was won by ADHD Red, which won two of the three rounds.
 
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:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Round
! Division
! Event
! Champion
! Dates
! Runner-up
! Third
|-
|-
| 1
| Open Race-to-4
| 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 (paintball team)|ADHD]] won the 2014 Open championship.
 
The team won all four events, accumulating the maximum possible 400 ranking points.
 
The complete season standings were:
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Position
! Team
! Points
|-
| 1
| ADHD
| ADHD
| 400
|-
| 2
| Disposal Unit
| Disposal Unit
| 314.5
|-
| 3
| Tempest
| Tempest
| 229
|-
| 4
| CamoMeat
| 178
|-
| 5
| Shattered
| 173.5
|-
| 6
| Mischief Militia
| 30
|-
| 7
| Low Gear
| 25
|-
|-
| 8
| Mechanical Pump Division 4
| 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:
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Position
! Team
! Points
|-
| 1
| ADHD Red
| ADHD Red
| 270
|-
| 2
| OFF
| OFF
| 177.5
|-
| 3
| One Shot Bro
| 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 mechanical-pump programme included a separate beginner category at the opening round. The club's season review reported participation by eight different teams across the mechanical competition programme. [5][6]
 
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.
=== International competition initiative ===


The announced support included:
In January 2014, SAPC announced an initiative to send successful New Zealand tournament players to the [[Paintball World Cup Asia]] in Langkawi, Malaysia.


* Tournament entry fees sponsored by the Paintball Asia League Series
The club's September season review confirmed that arrangements had been made for its winning team to enter the Division 2 competition.
* Accommodation sponsored by Asylum Paintball


The review also stated that SAPC's president would serve as an official tournament coordinator at the event. [3]
Tournament entry fees were sponsored by PALS, while accommodation was sponsored by Asylum Paintball.


The announcement indicates that SAPC had developed relationships with international tournament organisers and sponsors.
The report also announced that SAPC president [[Vitaly Miheev]] would serve as an official tournament coordinator. [5][7]


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.
These arrangements reflected SAPC's growing links with the international paintball community. The surviving announcement does not establish the final travelling roster or tournament result.


=== 2014 season review ===
=== 2014 season review ===


The club published its end-of-season review on '''30 September 2014'''.
The club's end-of-season report was published on '''30 September 2014''' and signed by '''Vitaly V. Miheev, SAPC President''', dated 27 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.
Alongside the competition results and international developments, the report acknowledged several contributors:


The surviving PBLeagues registration documents four events:
* '''Tony Dickson''' of Black Sheep Media, who provided photography and media coverage.
* '''Gavin''' of Red Alert Paintball Games, who supplied a spare compressor and had helped establish the earlier Auckland Super Five-Man League.
* The tournament referees and participating teams, whose contributions supported the running of the competition.


{| class="wikitable"
The club reported maintaining its existing entry fees and paintball prices while expanding its tournament programme. Its priorities for 2015 included increasing grassroots participation and developing additional mechanical-pump teams. [5]
! 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.
=== 2015 Race Series ===


==== Open division ====
SAPC continued the Race Series in 2015, holding four rounds between January and August.


Auckland Faction won the 2015 SAPC Open championship.
The competition retained separate Open and Mechanical Pump Division 4 championships.


ADHD won the first event, while Auckland Faction won each of the remaining three rounds.
Auckland Faction won the Open championship after winning three consecutive rounds, ending ADHD's run of SAPC season titles.


The final season standings were:
Detachment won the Mechanical Pump Division 4 championship, finishing 7.5 points ahead of Kaos Theory.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Position
! Division
! Team
! Champion
! Points
! Runner-up
! Third
|-
|-
| 1
| Open X-Ball
| Auckland Faction
| Auckland Faction
| 387.14
|-
| 2
| Addicted
| Addicted
| 293.93
|-
| 3
| ADHD
| 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:
{| class="wikitable"
! Position
! Team
! Points
|-
|-
| 1
| Mechanical Pump Division 4
| Detachment
| Detachment
| 317.5
|-
| 2
| Kaos Theory
| Kaos Theory
| 310
|-
| 3
| Mind Mechanics
| 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]
The complete standings and individual event results are preserved in [[PBLeagues]]. [8]


== Organisation and governance ==
== Organisation ==


=== Founder ===
SAPC was founded by [[Michael Earley]], who remained outside its governing committee because of his commercial paintball industry roles.


[[Michael Earley]] founded South Auckland Paintball Club in 2011.
[[Vitaly Miheev]] served as president during 2014, as documented in the club's September season report.


Earley was involved in developing organised tournament paintball activities in Auckland and had professional responsibilities at commercial paintball venues.
The club relied on referees, volunteers and participating teams to operate its events. It maintained a separate organisational structure from Lock N Load Paintball, Asylum Paintball and the NZPPL.
 
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 (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 ==
== Later history ==


The final SAPC Race Series tournament currently documented in PBLeagues took place on 1 and 2 August 2015.
The final SAPC Race Series event recorded in PBLeagues was held 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.
The incorporated society was subsequently dissolved. The exact date on which its activities ended has not been established.


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.
SAPC's historical blog and tournament registration records preserve details of its competitions, early use of international standards and involvement in the Auckland paintball community.


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 605: Line 152:
* [[ADHD (paintball team)]]
* [[ADHD (paintball team)]]
* [[Paintball Asia League Series]]
* [[Paintball Asia League Series]]
* [[Paintball World Cup Asia]]
* [[Paintball in New Zealand]]
* [[Paintball in New Zealand]]


== References ==
== References ==


# [https://southaucklandpaintballclub.tumblr.com/ South Auckland Paintball Club. "SAPC Inc." Historical club blog.] Contains announcements dating from 2011, including the October club day and proposed Five-Man League.
# [https://southaucklandpaintballclub.tumblr.com/ South Auckland Paintball Club. Historical SAPC blog, 2011–2014.] Early club days, Five-Man League and tournament announcements.
# [https://corporate.aucklandairport.co.nz/news/latest-media/2011/paintball-is-coming-to-the-airport Auckland Airport. "Paintball is coming to the airport!" 28 April 2011.] Contemporary announcement concerning Lock N Load Paintball.
# [https://southaucklandpaintballclub.tumblr.com/page/2 South Auckland Paintball Club. Historical blog, August 2011.] Discussion of proposed changes to New Zealand firearms legislation.
# [https://southaucklandpaintballclub.tumblr.com/post/98832929027/2014-end-of-season-round-up 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.
# [https://www.infoproff.com/en/open-data/new-zealand/companies-list/founded-2013/september/10 InfoProff. New Zealand organisations registered on 10 September 2013.] Registration of South Auckland Paintball Club Incorporated, society number 2587862.
# [https://southaucklandpaintballclub.tumblr.com/page/2 South Auckland Paintball Club. Historical blog posts, August 2011.] Includes discussion of proposed changes to New Zealand firearms legislation and paintball club membership.
# [https://asylumpaintball.co.nz/sapcrace-results-2013/ Asylum Paintball. "South Auckland Paintball Club Inc Race Series Results." 19 December 2013.] Results of the 2013 series.
# [https://www.infoproff.com/en/open-data/new-zealand/companies-list/founded-2013/september/10 InfoProff. "New Zealand organisations registered on 10 September 2013."] Historical registration details for South Auckland Paintball Club Incorporated, society number 2587862.
# [https://southaucklandpaintballclub.tumblr.com/post/98832929027/2014-end-of-season-round-up South Auckland Paintball Club. "2014 End of Season Round Up." 30 September 2014.] Report signed by Vitaly V. Miheev, documenting the 2014 season, international standards, sponsorships and contributors.
# [https://asylumpaintball.co.nz/sapcrace-results-2013/ Asylum Paintball. "South Auckland Paintball Club Inc Race Series Results." 19 December 2013.] Contemporary report on the 2013 SAPC Race Series.
# [https://pbleagues.com/league/262/seasonRankings/2014 PBLeagues. South Auckland Paintball Club 2014 Season Rankings.] Official Open X-Ball and Mechanical Pump Division 4 standings.
# [https://pbleagues.com/league/262/seasonRankings/2014 PBLeagues. "2014 Season Rankings: South Auckland Paintball Club."] Original Open X-Ball and Mechanical Pump Division 4 standings.
# [https://southaucklandpaintballclub.tumblr.com/post/74594111841/sapc-inc-sending-kiwis-to-paintball-world-cup South Auckland Paintball Club. "SAPC Inc - Sending Kiwis to Paintball World Cup Asia 2014." 26 January 2014.] Announcement of the international tournament initiative.
# [https://southaucklandpaintballclub.tumblr.com/post/74594111841/sapc-inc-sending-kiwis-to-paintball-world-cup South Auckland Paintball Club. "SAPC Inc - Sending Kiwis to Paintball World Cup Asia 2014." 26 January 2014.] Original announcement concerning international tournament prizes.
# [https://pbleagues.com/league/262/seasonRankings/2015 PBLeagues. South Auckland Paintball Club 2015 Season Rankings.] Official Open X-Ball and Mechanical Pump Division 4 standings.
# [https://pbleagues.com/league/262/seasonRankings/2015 PBLeagues. "2015 Season Rankings: South Auckland Paintball Club."] Original Open X-Ball and Mechanical Pump Division 4 standings.
# [https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1403/S00280/blacksheep-media-release-2013-nzppl-video.htm Blacksheep Communications. "Blacksheep Media Release 2013 NZPPL Video." Scoop, 16 March 2014.] Contemporary report identifying SAPC and NZPPL as separate competition organisers.
# [https://pbleagues.com/leagues/262 PBLeagues. "South Auckland Paintball Club."] Historical league registration and event calendar.


== External links ==
== External links ==
Line 626: Line 169:
* [https://pbleagues.com/leagues/262 South Auckland Paintball Club on PBLeagues]
* [https://pbleagues.com/leagues/262 South Auckland Paintball Club on PBLeagues]
* [https://southaucklandpaintballclub.tumblr.com/ SAPC historical blog]
* [https://southaucklandpaintballclub.tumblr.com/ SAPC historical blog]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://southaucklandpaintballclub.com/ Original club website on the Internet Archive]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://southaucklandpaintballclub.com/ SAPC website on the Internet Archive]
* [https://www.facebook.com/SAPCInc South Auckland Paintball Club on Facebook]
* [https://www.facebook.com/SAPCInc South Auckland Paintball Club on Facebook]
* [https://pbleagues.com/league/262/seasonRankings/2014 SAPC 2014 season rankings]
* [https://pbleagues.com/league/262/seasonRankings/2015 SAPC 2015 season rankings]


[[Category:New Zealand paintball organisations]]
[[Category:New Zealand paintball organisations]]
[[Category:Paintball clubs]]
[[Category:Paintball clubs]]
[[Category:Paintball in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Paintball in New Zealand]]

Revision as of 18:25, 14 October 2026

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 incorporated in September 2013, the club organised recreational and competitive paintball events, including the SAPC Five-Man League and SAPC Race Series.

The club initially operated at Lock N Load Paintball near Auckland Airport before moving its tournament programme to Asylum Paintball in Karaka. Its competitions included five-player hopperball, Open Race-to-4 and mechanical-pump divisions.

SAPC was among the New Zealand tournament organisations adopting Asia Pacific Paintball Federation (APPBF) rules and APPA player registration during the early 2010s. It also established relationships with international tournament organisers, including the Paintball Asia League Series (PALS).

History

Establishment and early competitions, 2011–2012

South Auckland Paintball Club was founded in 2011 by Michael Earley, a New Zealand paintball player and industry professional. Earley did not serve on the club's governing committee, avoiding potential conflicts of interest with his professional involvement in commercial paintball fields.

SAPC's first documented activities took place at Lock N Load Paintball, which opened near Auckland Airport in 2011.

An October 2011 announcement advertised a club day offering organised games for players with their own equipment, with a NZ$20 playing fee and discounted paintballs. [1]

The club subsequently announced the SAPC Five-Man League, an affordable competition using a hopperball format that restricted players to the paintballs carried in their loaders. Players could enter individually, with temporary teams formed when sufficient participants were available.

The league used rules based on those of the New Zealand Paintball Players League (NZPPL), with participating teams sharing refereeing duties. A provisional calendar listed events from November 2011 through December 2012, although not every scheduled date has been independently confirmed. [1]

SAPC's early competition programme drew inspiration from the Auckland Super Five-Man League, an earlier tournament series that Gavin of Red Alert Paintball Games had helped establish.

The club also published information about proposed changes to New Zealand firearms legislation in August 2011, discussing their potential implications for paintball markers. [2]

Incorporation and the 2013 Race Series

South Auckland Paintball Club Incorporated was registered on 10 September 2013, under society number 2587862. Its registered address was 19 Harper Street, Papakura. [3]

By this time, SAPC had established the Race Series at Asylum Paintball, located at the former Kingseat Hospital in Karaka.

The series provided regular tournament competition independently of the NZPPL, which also organised events at Asylum.

The 2013 season included Open Division competition, with ADHD identified as the season champion.

Asylum Paintball published the final results in December 2013, although the complete event-by-event standings have not been recovered. [4]

2014 Race Series

The 2014 Race Series consisted of four rounds held in February, May, July and September.

SAPC introduced an Open Race-to-4 division using APPBF rules and expanded its mechanical-pump programme with a Division 4 competition.

The club also implemented the APPA registration system, allowing players and teams to maintain individual competition records and rankings compatible with international tournament systems.

In its September 2014 season review, SAPC claimed to be the first New Zealand tournament organisation to adopt unmodified APPBF rules across its events and introduce APPA registration. [5]

The series attracted teams from Auckland and other regions, including Tauranga.

2014 championship results

ADHD won all four Open Race-to-4 events, securing the championship with the maximum 400 ranking points.

The Mechanical Pump Division 4 championship was won by ADHD Red, which won two of the three rounds.

Division Champion Runner-up Third
Open Race-to-4 ADHD Disposal Unit Tempest
Mechanical Pump Division 4 ADHD Red OFF One Shot Bro

The mechanical-pump programme included a separate beginner category at the opening round. The club's season review reported participation by eight different teams across the mechanical competition programme. [5][6]

International competition initiative

In January 2014, SAPC announced an initiative to send successful New Zealand tournament players to the Paintball World Cup Asia in Langkawi, Malaysia.

The club's September season review confirmed that arrangements had been made for its winning team to enter the Division 2 competition.

Tournament entry fees were sponsored by PALS, while accommodation was sponsored by Asylum Paintball.

The report also announced that SAPC president Vitaly Miheev would serve as an official tournament coordinator. [5][7]

These arrangements reflected SAPC's growing links with the international paintball community. The surviving announcement does not establish the final travelling roster or tournament result.

2014 season review

The club's end-of-season report was published on 30 September 2014 and signed by Vitaly V. Miheev, SAPC President, dated 27 September 2014.

Alongside the competition results and international developments, the report acknowledged several contributors:

  • Tony Dickson of Black Sheep Media, who provided photography and media coverage.
  • Gavin of Red Alert Paintball Games, who supplied a spare compressor and had helped establish the earlier Auckland Super Five-Man League.
  • The tournament referees and participating teams, whose contributions supported the running of the competition.

The club reported maintaining its existing entry fees and paintball prices while expanding its tournament programme. Its priorities for 2015 included increasing grassroots participation and developing additional mechanical-pump teams. [5]

2015 Race Series

SAPC continued the Race Series in 2015, holding four rounds between January and August.

The competition retained separate Open and Mechanical Pump Division 4 championships.

Auckland Faction won the Open championship after winning three consecutive rounds, ending ADHD's run of SAPC season titles.

Detachment won the Mechanical Pump Division 4 championship, finishing 7.5 points ahead of Kaos Theory.

Division Champion Runner-up Third
Open X-Ball Auckland Faction Addicted ADHD
Mechanical Pump Division 4 Detachment Kaos Theory Mind Mechanics

The complete standings and individual event results are preserved in PBLeagues. [8]

Organisation

SAPC was founded by Michael Earley, who remained outside its governing committee because of his commercial paintball industry roles.

Vitaly Miheev served as president during 2014, as documented in the club's September season report.

The club relied on referees, volunteers and participating teams to operate its events. It maintained a separate organisational structure from Lock N Load Paintball, Asylum Paintball and the NZPPL.

Later history

The final SAPC Race Series event recorded in PBLeagues was held on 1 and 2 August 2015.

The incorporated society was subsequently dissolved. The exact date on which its activities ended has not been established.

SAPC's historical blog and tournament registration records preserve details of its competitions, early use of international standards and involvement in the Auckland paintball community.

See also

References

  1. South Auckland Paintball Club. Historical SAPC blog, 2011–2014. Early club days, Five-Man League and tournament announcements.
  2. South Auckland Paintball Club. Historical blog, August 2011. Discussion of proposed changes to New Zealand firearms legislation.
  3. InfoProff. New Zealand organisations registered on 10 September 2013. Registration of South Auckland Paintball Club Incorporated, society number 2587862.
  4. Asylum Paintball. "South Auckland Paintball Club Inc Race Series Results." 19 December 2013. Results of the 2013 series.
  5. South Auckland Paintball Club. "2014 End of Season Round Up." 30 September 2014. Report signed by Vitaly V. Miheev, documenting the 2014 season, international standards, sponsorships and contributors.
  6. PBLeagues. South Auckland Paintball Club 2014 Season Rankings. Official Open X-Ball and Mechanical Pump Division 4 standings.
  7. South Auckland Paintball Club. "SAPC Inc - Sending Kiwis to Paintball World Cup Asia 2014." 26 January 2014. Announcement of the international tournament initiative.
  8. PBLeagues. South Auckland Paintball Club 2015 Season Rankings. Official Open X-Ball and Mechanical Pump Division 4 standings.
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