Name: Jason Wheeler
Age: 21
Team: London Nexus
For those who do not know give us a history lesson on London Nexus.
Well Nexus was picked up by Dye in 2007 where we played alongside Brandon Short and Mikko from the Ironmen to help us form the team into a winning formula the year was pretty consistant and the team placed a top 5 in the CPL.. after a good building year the team decided to only bring Brandon Short into the 2008 season and held a tryout in England the team was very big and the start of the year wasent great for Nexus, however after two events into the season the team went to Toulouse for the third leg and completely shocked everyone to be the first English team to win a CPL first place taking it from the Phillys.
Knowing that now the team can win events the forth event was the same and we came away with the second CPL win of the season and the only team to come away with two wins in that year. 2009 wasn’t as successful only managing to get a 2nd as the highest place for the team in the season but at the PSP World Cup we gained a 4th in Semi-pro losing out to Aftermath II 7-6 which was a dissapointed but we learned a lot and will focus on achieving our goals this year.
What differences are there in the game between the states and Europe?
Well, in the states it seems that the place style is very aggressive and fast which personally I like, more of the teams take it very seriously and put a lot more time into progressing as a team and a individual, that’s why there are so many kids moving into the pro ranks out there.. In Europe the up and coming players are very hard to come by and it seems that the only way to get new places is train them over a year or two before they are ready to compete at the level needed.
What leagues will Nexus play in during the 2010 season?
Millennium Series CPL (Pro)
We will attend PSP World Cup
Individually players will guest for domestic teams and some maybe overseas.
Time to give advice to new players. What should a new player do to progress to the highest level their ability allows?
Put the sport above everything in your life, sacrifice and you will be rewarded.. Listen to everyone that is giving you viable advice.. when the weathers bad and you cant be assed to get out and practice.. pull yourself up and go out there and work at it.
What is the weirdest or craziest episode that has happened since you have played on Nexus?
Hmm, Weirdest? practicing non stop from November to the first event in April then not qualifying for Sunday and then the same in the second event… then suddenly.. third event, we walk away with a win.
With the pro rankings swapping players like they are in a last minute shopping spree who do you think will come out on top at the end of the upcoming season? Other than Nexus of course.
I think SK Moscow will be a big contender this year in the Millennium the Russian teams over here and over in the states are upping the level across the board and that’s always going to help the sport.
What can players in general do to help the sport progress and get out of the slump it has been in the last few years?
Its hard because the reason the sport is slowing down a little is because of money.. that is everything at the moment in all industries of the world so as the economy begins to rise so will the sport.. things like getting paintball in the Olympics is a goal that I want to see happen in my career as I think that would be a amazing step for sport.. There are so many weird and wonderful sports in the current Olympics so why not give paintball its shot? Its definitely something I want to help push forward.
What is the training schedule like for Nexus? What drills do you run?
We train every other weekend Saturday and Sunday.. we do a drill day Saturday that normally consists of lane shooting, brake out drills and half field 3on3 which really makes us sharp when it comes to playing full games. Sunday we normally scrimmage against any teams that are around and put into practice what we learned on the field the day before.
Your are in a 3 vs 1 situation with you being the lone player, what would you do?
Try to get width, a nice back corner bunker is proberly the best spot to be in.. listen to your coach. Don’t feel like you have to be on the defensive, once you get a G you could easily surprise them by pushing down the tape.. never go infield as this increases the amount of angels on you and makes it harder to live.
Where has been your favorite place to play and why?
Orlando and California.. I love playing in the States anyway just because of the play style and of course the weather.. the fields always seem top notch as well.
What is the biggest challenge you have overcome to play with Nexus?
Being broken down and rebuilt by experianced and talented players.. I joined the team young at the age of 18 and with any young players they have to be worked on and getting to be what they needed me to be was definitely a challenge.
You are in a grocery store but only allowed to buy three items, what are they?
Batteries for my loader and gun, Water for the heat and.. some nice energy snacks to keep me going.
What do the players of Nexus do outside of paintball in relation to work?
Jason Wheeler – Works at Dye Europe
Clint Moore – Carpentry
Mark Dunville – Manager of a Hydraulics company
Neil Campbell – Works in a bar
Tommy Pemberton – Works at Dye Europe
Kyle Milton – Cuts grass 
Jamie Abbott – Plumber
What can the media do to help paintball?
This goes back to the Olympic thing, if we can promote the sport over TV, people can get rid of that get that typical stereotypical idea that paintball is in the woods only… the sport will definitely move forward.
Paul Forcier
