Hotshots seek world domination
A small-town team are fast becoming the hottest shots in world paintball.
The Expendables, from Feilding, this week leave for Paris, where they will attempt to be the first team from the southern hemisphere to win the paintball world cup.
They are hot favourites to do so, having won all three previous European tournaments this year.
It is a feat that has them rated number one in the world. A podium finish at the world cup would lift them to the professional division, the Champions League, next year – the sport’s highest competition.
Captain Dave Hopkins said the team’s trophy cabinet was filling up. This year alone the team have brought home the Mediterranean Cup, Campaign Cup and European Masters. It was recognition for a long year, Hopkins said. Since February, they have competed in France, Germany and England.
The team undergoes a gruelling five-day training regime. Hopkins said they were in the gym with personal trainer Kane Reid at 5am every morning. In the evening, they worked on their game skills.
Despite the constant travel, they all have jobs. The team has limited sponsorship, so are largely self-funded and rely heavily on Hopkins’ business, Custom Blinds and Curtains. So far this year, all their travel has cost the team more than $100,000.
‘‘We are already the first [in the southern hemisphere] to compete and win an event in Europe,’’ Hopkins said. ‘‘And if we win the last event we will be the first team ever to win all four.
‘‘If we place 16th or higher we cannot be beaten for the series and will be promoted to Champions League next season, which is the top 20 teams in Europe.’’
Hopkins also rates the team’s chances in the top grade next year.
They trained against several professional teams in the leadup to tournaments this year and held their own, Hopkins said.
‘‘We beat the number one ranked team in Europe and have hammered the midrange teams.
‘‘We’re hopeful of a top four finish and I think we could win a couple of events.’’
Hopkins was unsure why his modest team was so competitive compared with guys who did it for a fulltime job.
‘‘It’s hard to put a finger on it, but we have something that other teams don’t seem to have.
‘‘We work our asses off.’’