Wasaga SOG came together about 4 years ago under the command of Grant Mellegers. At that time there were about 7 members. Since that time there have been many changes including switches in the team captaincy and membership. At one point Wasaga SOG had as many as 14 members. Even with all the changes they all manage to stay friends and in contact with each other and are around to have fun and that’s what they do.
They are not the only team sponsored by Wasaga but there are not too many. Its puts a smile on their faces when they pull into a field with the Wasaga van and hear people jump for joy saying “Wasaga’s here!” One of the main things the team also does is show players around Ontario that the people at Wasaga Beach Paintball including both day to day players and staff are great people. SOG brings the fair, happy environment with them and show it off. In the words of Assistant Team Captain, Doug Best “I can personally say that when any of us are asked who we play for, we are happy to say Wasaga Beach Paintball”
There have been a lot of great moments from the years. Some are just at days at Wasaga having fun with rec players. Some are at big games around Ontario or even while reffing games at Wasaga. One of Doug’s personal highlights was at a game at the old Flagraiders field. Its was just before lunch and S.O.G had taken over the field and was leading charges towards the last enemy strong point. At that time the entire field was theirs. They then decided to take a lunch break. While on break they noticed their team had been pushed back to their spawn point. So they did what they do best. Suited up and started to lead more charges. They took the field over right away and controlled it for the rest of the day. S.O.G also did a road trip to an EMR game and it was a great trip. Always fun to play at new places and meet more people.
This year Wasaga SOG played games at FlagSwipe paintball and FlagRaiders paintball. Its was a tough year for SOG and they ended up just playing at their home field of Wasaga Beach more than anywhere else to keep the body used to it and to practice teamwork and just their paintball skills in general.
Specific highlights in 2009?
2009 was a slow year for S.O.G we had players entering college and other issues
with the economy taking the dump that it did. We did tho make it out to a few games. One of the big games we were happy to play was the borthers in arms at Flagswipe paintball. Being able to meet and play along side Greg made the day just that much more fun. That and clearing out the crematorium with the famous princess run. Everybody on the team knows what I’m talking about
Whats on the books for 2010?
We are still at the drawing board for 2010 but there will be the usual Flagswipe and FlagRaiders games that we normally attend. There word of a possible states trip to a game down there and maybe a tournament or something along those lines.
Who all is on the current roster?
The current Roster starts with Brad Tiny Middel as team Captain. Then goes to myself as co-captain Doug Princess Best. The rest of the roster is Pat O’doherty, Dan Koza, Ryan Wilson, Dylan Griffin, Kim O’ Doherty, Matt Wilcox, and Jordan Clarke.
Describe the annual big game at Wasaga each year from your perspective
Where to begin. Prepping for the game starts early in the year. From story line to props there is a lot of work that goes into these things but we pull it off every year. The staff at Wasaga Paintball work super hard to bring great games that are both fun to play and easy to follow. A lot of the players loved the idea of the water this year so instead of looking at numbers all day they could see by how many bottles they were down and it really got players into the game. At one point I remember watching a player drop to the ground with his marker aside and digging with his hands to find a bottle of blue water. With the big games I meet many old friends. Both players that I see at other games and even just old pals. I have to say my favorite part of the day is to watch all the players do their first starting rush. Then to see at the end of the day how happy they are even though they are dirty and ready to pass out from being tired.
All in all we put a lot of work into our games and its awesome to just hear a “thanks ref” or “keep up the good work”
Hope to see you guys at other games in Ontario and Wasaga’s Annual Winter game and summer game!
Submission courtesy of Assistant Team Captain Doug Best
