Fast forward to November 11th around 6 AM . As I took my seat and was settling in for my flight from Denver to Orlando , I was talking with Parker Von Kalben , who ’ s become one of Kieran ’ s good friends and plays for the Laughing Coffins , one of our Ally Remembered chapter teams . Parker was informing me that through a conversation with Robert and Nicholas Coritsidis , arrangements had been made to bring Kieran down to the cup on Friday . It was going to be a total surprise , and the flight and hotel had been secured .
Kieran had no idea on Friday , with family in the car , the reasoning for being at the airport . It wasn ’ t until they got the luggage out of the back was Kieran told of the trip . As Nicholas explained , “ we collectively realized how much more enjoyable it would make everyone ’ s cup experience if we got him out there , so we made it happen . I had seen him post about Cup 2022 . I told Rob and Parker , too much can happen in a year , so if we were able to make it happen now , then why wait for the pleasure .”
And a pleasure it was ! Camille and the NXL staff had arranged for Id ’ s and a welcome bag and we informed him that he was also be playing Cup . Kieran was the typical kid in a candy store at that point and spent the day zig zagging from booth to fields and back . Seemingly stopping every 10 feet to talk with players or teams whom recognized him or he had read about . He was in warp drive wanting to meet Dynasty , Infamous and others or going to watch Tropical Thunder play and back to the booths again .
Kieran participated in out Pit Pals program with some other kids and assisted Seattle Uprising in a match , then over to do the same in the Dynasty pits . He joined all the kids to help in the pits for the youth exhibition games and continued making new friends all along the way . Kieran ’ s familiar with those on our team and Sunday morning he was mentality preparing for battle and fighting back the nerves knowing our games were starting soon . Outfitted with a MacDev XDR and Virtue gear , Kieran stepped onto the field and the proverbial “ big show ” became a dream come true . The highlight of Sunday came when , do to some missed communication , he was pulled on a flag during his first ever NXL game . We coached him as to the why and opportunities to learn from mistakes . It was such an aweinspiring moment that Indy Storm owner RJ Jonck ( AKA Rhino ) came to me afterwards , wanting to a 1on1 rematch with him . That was the most epic , non-shellfish and outstanding act of sportsmanship I ’ ve ever witnessed . Needless to say , I grabbed Jason Burns from Russian Legion , did a live broadcast explaining the 1v1 game to Kieran and he was beyond pumped and ready for a victory .
He did in fact get the point against Rhino as the crowd cheered as he ran down the sideline . It goes without saying , this years Cup produced a whole new level of respect and understanding for those with challenges such as Kieran . The support he received from the hundreds , if not thousands of players over the weekend is one that all involved should be proud of . ●●●
0122 paintball . media magazine