When Jack Irvine discovered the fast-paced action of speedball paintball, he was hooked.
The 16-year-old from Wakefield has been instrumental in forming a local team to compete against other South Island teams at monthly tournaments in Ashburton.
In a short space of time they have been making their mark – and their paint balls felt.
The teenager started with the slower-paced Woodsball version of paintball, which is a tactical game played over a large terrain with cover – a game of hunting friends at Armageddon Paintball in the Wai-iti Valley.
While speedball is a fast-paced, action-oriented game that depends on quick reflexes, rapid movement and high-intensity action, it also uses brittle paint balls that break easily.
“It’s really fun – you get an adrenaline rush! I was playing on big fields in the village and had a local tournament which I enjoyed way more – a lot faster. Normal paintball has a big field and is maybe 20 minutes long and more tactical, but speedball is on a smaller field, so it’s faster and takes more skill.”
He’s the youngest member of the team Armageddon, which includes players ranging in age across several decades. The team now has six members – enough for two teams at Ashburton – which means they may end up facing off against each other, just like they do in practise.
Looking ahead, the team hopes to play in North Island’s five-person tournaments and, if they get really serious, there are international competitions. The team only formed last year, and Jack says they are always looking for more players keen to give the sport a go.
“Anyone can come and play; we’re always looking for more players.”
