Joy Division

So it's official, Joy Division have decided to hang up their Angels and leave the sport. This is huge.

Joy Division were no ordinary pro team. They wore leopard print gear that most would laugh at until they couldn't see for the paint on their gogs. Some members were real life Zoolanders, travelling the world to model for Hugo Boss and Versace between events. Beyond that, they were the guys who proved to the world that a few friends with the right drive and passion can take on the American professional circuits and win. They proved to the world that you don't have to be an American to do that, or have a big league in your home country. They showed us that you don't need big money backing to beat the best in the game.

From Siberia to New Zealand they have been an inspiration - it was a photo of them on the wall of a shed that got me into paintball. They were ambassadors of the international name like no team before or after, second only to the Russians in terms of overall impact but perhaps more impressive for being entirely self made and for staying together as a team for a solid 15 years.

They gave us more than just inspiration. Reball was instrumental in their rise as it allowed them to train for cheap, helping teams all over the world reach a high level of play without going broke. The leopard print is up there as one of the most recognizable uniforms in the history of the sport.

So as they bow out after their 15 year run let's not forget them. They represent the best this sport has to offer.

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