<-- From left to right Osvaldo, Justin, VinnieJustin G., Ryan, Spencer, Mat, Evan, Ryan, Will

PSP Chicago.

Chicago definitely had it's high's and lows. We took second place in Division 3 and it was a great experience, it being my first time and all in a national event. Going in we only had 3 NRG players, 2 Ontario Chop Shop players and had picked up 2 CFOA rookie kids (Spencer and Evan). Luckily the DOC's Raiders were there to offer support and found us two Brazilian, Vinnie and Osvaldo. I got to say that the PSP had great organization and was well run.
We breezed through the prelims, just trashing all the teams. Winning our bracket was one of the most exciting moments of my paintball career. In one of our games against Air Assault the Chi town Raiders (who had just lost to us) were counter coaching. They even had the audacity to scream U.S.A against us. Weird since we were an international team...I don't know why Americans don't like Canadians but c'mon if you’re going to vandalize a porta potty learn to spell Canadians, as in Go Home Canadains!

I guess at this point you want to know what was the issue was. Well when the time came to collect our prize money, Will surprised everyone by saying that he wanted a share of the prize money. Now there isn’t anything wrong about this, considering he did arrange our sponsorship deal with Draxxus it's just the fact that it wasn't said and none of us had ever even thought about it. The Chop Guys (Ryan and Justin G.) were the most displeased, after all they had shot their own paint all weekend, Chop Shop being a Zap team and all. Justin being their friend and all was even more displeased when he was asked to pay back a portion of the money he rightfully owes Will for his travels at WPL. In the end, Justin decided to leave the team and Ryan followed.

What made me regret the whole trip was the way people acted in front of the PSP organization and staff. As we collected the check, right in front of the crowd, an argument over whose name it would be signed too broke out. The staff member got so disgusted she sent us to the administration tent where we got further ridiculed. After further discussions the PSP got so sick of us they just gave us cash. On PSP's defense I would have done the same, why not make fun of a team that falls apart when they win, mostly for 40$ per person.

Photo by: Spencer's Dad at Chicago PSP, Bolingbrook

<----Will

I play for Montreal Nrg's tier1 team.

NRG is a D3 PSP and Semi-Pro Nppl team. Nothing to be to proud of. Yet, NRG has so much potential and under the perfect circumstances it could be a major contender in the Pro circuit. After the Fiasco of the last PSP Chicago (which I will cover on a later date), I was asked to rebuild the team. I've got to admit that I am not looking forward to this task. I've always believed that great teams, with long-lasting futures, have always been formed by groups of friends whose dedication, trust and loyalty to each other are beyond excellence. Creating this atmosphere will require the right people and attitudes. After Chicago, Will (NRG's owner) and I decided to focus the rest of our season towards the PSP, while using the CXBL as our practice and breeding pool. We've got a core group of players who's dedication is unwavering and this is what I intend to build upon.

My philosopy on team building relies on the notion that players must take responsability for their actions and subsequently take an active role in the maintaining of the team. I don't believe in the power of a supreme owner who controls and directs every action the team takes. The team must be able to make its own judgment, win or lose. This does not mean that the owner cannot be a member of the team. For this reason the players attending the next PSP will be players who firmly demonstrate teamwork, ability to uphold NRG values and beliefs as well as skill and ability.

Photo by: Dale B. photoshopped by Steven G.

I've been thinking of making a Paintball website for a long time. Ive been active in the paintball community for 7 years, 3 of those at a competitive level and I don't see myself leaving anytime soon.

Turning Pro has always been a dream of mine, a dream I live and charish. I believe keeping this diary will help me focus on what it takes to achieve this level of performance as well as how to maintain it. Being able to write down my ideas, experiences and memories and sharing them will help me remember my mistakes and overcome my shortcomings.


Photo by: D113 at VEP in Ontario.