This interviewee has been involved in the sport of paintball since he
was just 9 years old. Gerry Harris Matticks knew immediately that this sport was
something he wanted to invest in for more than just fun. At the age of 12, Gerry
played is first 3 man GT (Golden Triangle) event. Later, he joined the CXBL
playing from the get-go in the CXBL division for Laval Skorpions.
Throughout the years Harris Matticks has played for a variety of teams
including: Montreal Machine (SkyBall), Laval Skorpions, Mirabel Impact, Kingsey
Falls Kamikaze, Shockwave Canada, Scrub Life, and of course, Tremblant Cowboys.
He has a CXBL championship under his belt which he secured in 2010 with
Kamikaze and a PALS Thailand win with Shockwave Canada in 2011.
Gerry is usually seen playing midfield and back positions and plans to
continue to develop his skills in this area. He is known by his competition for
having a larger-than-life personality that plays out in his on-field
run-throughs. Harris Mattick’s future paintball ambitions include another CXBL
championship win and making it pro in the PSP. Watch out for him at NAX; his
confidence in his team in unmatched!
Photo Credit: Sheldon Carless
- What is your general impression of the 2012 Elite standings? Were there any major surprises or did the season finish as expected?
“The surprise I had was
Daytona making NAX and beating out 2 really strong teams. Another thing that surprised me was when we
(Cowboys) lost to N2 but they came out and played a really strong game and got
the win. We still finished 1st as expected.”
- What do you feel was your team’s greatest strength this season?
“I believe our greatest
strengths were playing as a team and everyone gelling on and off the field,
bringing in some other players from the states who also gelled really well with
our team and bringing some experience from a higher level of paintball.”
- Cowboys is made up of many experienced CXBL players as well as several Houston Heat competitors. Did you find it easy to come together as a team or did you have to work to become comfortable on the field as one unit? Did you find that working with the Houston Heat guys was a growth opportunity for you and your Canadian counterparts? If so, in what ways were you challenged as players?
“When we
brought in the Huston Heat guys we didn't know what to expect from them or how
they would react with us as a team but we ending up gelling really well on and
off the field. We came together a lot better than I thought we would and it
shows, Taking 1st place in the CXBL regular season. Most of the guys on the
team already have a lot of experience so bringing the Huston Heat guys just
made us stronger and gave us a little more experience to add to the team. The
biggest thing that they showed us is that coaching is a big importance to the
game and we would not have done as well without it. A great coach makes a great
team!”
- What are you able to take away from the 2012 season that will allow you to develop as a player and as a team throughout the off-season?
“What we can take away from
the 2012 season would be just to get better as a team on the field and off the
field, to learn from our mistakes from the season and not to make them in the
following season. Also, to build strength on our individual skills as well.”
- With a roster such as yours, many predicted your team for the win this season. Did you and your teammates have the same confidence in a 2012 season win?
“We came into this season with a lot of
confidence but still taking every game one point at a time. Our loss to N2
shows everyone that anyone can be beat at any time but at the end of the year
we will still be number 1 and NAX champions.”
- What was your highlight of the season?
“My highlight would be at
Event 2 when we beat the Raiders with only a few seconds left but the biggest
highlight of the year for me will be when we win NAX.”
- Which individual on your own team do you most respect as a player and why?
“I can’t pick just one
person from my team as I respect them all but if it wasn't for Phil Guy I would
have never had the chance to play with Shockwave Canada and I would have never
had the learning experiences I have had. He is a veteran of the sport. He has
always highlighted my mistakes as well as letting me know when I have played
well.”
- This season was unusual in that not a single team went undefeated in any division of the CXBL. Your team suffered a surprising loss to Medonte and had very close matches with Raiders, Lockdown, and Thunder, winning each by only 1 point. What went through your mind after losing to Ntwo? Can you tell me about the collective mindset of the team during close match situations?
“I'm not surprised that there were no undefeated teams in the CXBL this
year. The talent of paintball in Canada is rising. The loss to N2 was
surprising to us as well but they came out and played a really strong game and
deserved the win. During the close games the mindset in the pits for everyone
is just to stay calm and focused and never give up until the clock runs out. We
put the most experienced players on in situations like that and have won all
our close games which shows we have what it takes to win NAX.”
- If you had to choose a team other than your own as most likely to win NAX, who would you choose and why?
“If I had to choose another
team most likely to win NAX I would have to say Thunder. They are only about
seven or eight guys who play solid as a team and never lose their cool in the
pits. They are a very talented team.”
- Is there anything else you would like to add?
“I would
like to say thanks to the CXBL for making great events and helping to improve
the sport in Canada! I would also like to wish the best of luck to all the teams
who will be competing at NAX.”
Gerry,
Thanks for the interview! All the best to you and your teammates
at NAX!
Signing
off,
The Paintball
Wife
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