Millennium SPL Info

[Milky]

Steve you've got to get to the point quicker most people arn't going to read that post and those that do will forget how it started

 

[mikey601]

http://www.p8ntballer-forums.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=17

 

[Mark Toye-Nexus]

A revolution shouldnt be necessary. The Millennium are capable of presenting the right product to both the customer and the public, have done it before just not consistently. Especially that they have cut the dead wood.

All they need is some t.l.c towards the cash cow that they view the player and industry as.

It's up to them though. At the moment they look like an organisation that views themselves as 'owning the ball and will take it home with them if you lot dont do as they say'. Its like they are doing ballers a favour by putting events on, that it's under protest that they drag themselves out of bed to stage the series.

That maybe a little unfair but its certainly the impression that they are giving.

Checked out the website recently? All dates are still provisional so anyone whos booked flights etc is technically still at risk for the first event that is a little over 9 weeks away. And who knows when Campaign/Bitburg will be? Did I miss something?

Come on MS - get it right!

 

[Russell Smith]

I am not a pro paintballer, nor am I anyone important in the industry or a big name but I am going to make some fairly ambitious suggestions, so I offer my opinion humbly and a fully prepared to listen to those who are better informed of the machinations of our sport.

It seems to me that every year there is vast disappointment with the Millennium's provision for European paintball. So why hasn't an alternative been found?

Is it because of the lack of necessary finance to back the costs of running a league of the scale that is now expected? The Millennium is established therefore people such as the organisers or other investors/lenders can be more confident putting their money into it. Teams are prepared to pay fees in advance so that costs can be met as they know the event will go ahead. Event sponsors will pay their money knowing that there will be well attended events that they will make their money back as a result of. A new organisation/league might not inspire that confidence. Players/sponsors might worry it could all collapse leaving them with nothing for the entry/sponsorship fees they have paid. Similarly with investors/lenders.

The lack of an administrative and organisational structure to implement it? The MS have got all the contacts for venues, refs, licences, teams etc. They have got the procedures in place for the collection of fees, the payment of costs, they have got all those little things that need sorting under control. Well, just about. Would a new organisation/league have the ability/experience/resources to run the event?

Lack of support from teams for a new league, the lack of prestige the new league would have? The millennium is an established title. It has the best level of competition, and winning or ranking in it has a perceived value. To be a viable alternative enough of the best teams embraced the new league making it competitive enough and they would have to perceive winning it as significant. With the exception of the top 2 locked divs the teams are not organised in to a coherent group, or definitive list. And many of those teams are just loosely associated groups of friends. How do you deal or communicate with such a disparate group in order to find out what they want and get some assurance that they will come on board?

Realistically I don’t think those problems would be overcome if there was an attempt to start a new league similar to the millennium. So what are the options?

Well, the only one that occurs to me is that we have to take a couple of steps backwards before we can go forwards. What I mean is the millennium needs replacing, but it is not practical to replace it with something as big and shiny, so we have to replace it with something that isn’t quite as grand, but will quickly reach the level of the millennium - and because it doesn’t have the millennium’s problems – shortly after out grow it. It will mean a short term set back, but ultimately it will be for the best.

I believe an attempt to start a new league would need to cut back in the scale of the events - the vast spectacle with hundreds of teams in a prominent venue. We all want to be part of a large glamorous event, a showcase for our sport. But why? It can promote awareness of our sport, increase our profile and bring more people, media attention, funding and recognition for our sport. But there is also our ego to consider. We like the spectacle, it makes us feel what we are doing is important. The first few reasons are long term ones - a year with a little less glamour would not be a problem if it significantly helped us on the road to a better future. But the problem lies in our ego. That is a short term thing which won’t let us make that sacrifice for the long term benefits. But if we can realise this then we can overcome it. We don’t need all the flash spectacle and PR. Eventually yes it would be nice to have it eventually, but it isn’t the foundation that you build a sport on.

So I would suggest the CPL and SPL teams should abandon the Millennium and start their own league. To start with they won’t have any of the luxuries: prominent venues, flash PR, and the spectacle we are used to. But with the top teams competing they would have the sport.

Without all the spectacle, the costs would be less. I often read criticism of players who pay out loads for the newest and trendiest kit, without leaving any money for training. In a way the sport as a whole is guilty of that. Shelling out for glamorous and expensive events rather than focusing our resources on developing the level of play. Currently our top events are too much about exciting holidays than serious sports fixtures.

And I don’t think they should bother with the lower divisions to start with. Yes there are some serious teams working their way up through those. But there are also the uncompetitive players there who are just turning up for the holiday – the hobby players, happy to sit in a lower division without ever pushing themselves. Now there is nothing wrong with them those guys I haven’t got the slightest problem with them or what they do. I just don’t think that the European league is the place for them. And limiting the available spaces means that playing at a European level is a prize to strive for, not something you simply pay your money and turn up to.

And then there is the benefit of the fact that the organisation/league would be player run. That means no cut going to someone’s profit, and thus decisions not being influenced by short term ‘del-boy’ motives.

But practically speaking how would such an organisation work? Well I would suggest a European players association, a member owned and led organisation. They would of course have to elect a board or chairman to lead it. Now someone would have to effectively take that role to get the organisation going, and I suspect they would be a good candidate to lead it once it was established. So first thing is someone prominent in European paintball to step forward and start rallying the players in the top teams to the cause. Get the leaders of the teams united to decide on a direction. Then establish the organisation a legally established not-for-profit or charity or members club or whatever is most appropriate. From there get the top teams players to sign up. Now as nice as it is to be able to offer free membership, I don’t feel someone is part of something and committed to it unless they have invested something in it, even if just a token 10 Euros or whatever. It might also be a good time to bring in id and player registering, as it gives them something for their money. But as this is player led there would be no need to make it a money making scheme like id’s tend to be. Then you have to book the events. They don’t have to be stadiums or top venues, there doesn’t have to be grandstands and spectacle, just fields, bunkers, refs, air and the teams. You don’t even need a huge staging area as with a match format there will be staging at either end of the field for the teams that are competing.

It might be a humble start, but it would provide a much better foundation to grow the sport. Now I'm sure it would be very easy to come up with reasons why this wouldn't work, but i would urge people to think a little harder and try and come up with solutions to those problems.

Vive la revolution!

You may not be a pro baller Steve but you are one of the most important commodities ANY event should be concerned about, a customer.
I personally do not think the Millennium's will take us any further than they have done at present, because I believe they are just in it for the cash, I don't know about others but I have sensed a change in the outlook of the MS in the last few years, that does not mean they are not the best at the job currently operating in Europe, indeed they are but they have the customer service skills of....of...well someone who is crap at it.
Some people have a problem with particular individuals within the organisation but leadership must come from the top and if that is not forthcoming perhaps it should be put to the sword to save everyones suffering.
If a viable alternative was put on the table I do not think it would be hard to convince the teams and sponsors to jump the sinking ship and put their money and support in a place that is doing something that needs to be done.
We have the ability in Europe to create a replacement Series, the staff required (if we could convince them to do it) have some time on there hands at the moment I believe! and even if they did not wish to do it, others could.
As far as a European player body, well that died a death even with the assistance of these very forums, player attitude, perhaps it was. But I say again it does not need everyone to revolt, if just the CPL teams would do it you may find that as effective as needed.

Russ

 

[TheRenton]

Right, well i'm hoping to get something moving on this when I get some more backing from key people. I'm hoping to develop a site which will allow representatives from teams within certain events (not just MS) to have their say in a structured manor and to discuss on our very own beloved PGi forums.
Stay tuned for an announcement soon, it might fall flat on it's face, but i'm going to try this, so at least it can't be said that I didn't give it a god!

 

[Russell Smith]

Right, well i'm hoping to get something moving on this when I get some more backing from key people. I'm hoping to develop a site which will allow representatives from teams within certain events (not just MS) to have their say in a structured manor and to discuss on our very own beloved PGi forums.
Stay tuned for an announcement soon, it might fall flat on it's face, but i'm going to try this, so at least it can't be said that I didn't give it a god!

Not sure if this is what is required, it would necessitate the relevant organisers to actually go to the site to see what is being said, and then construct a reply and as I (and many others) have said, they don't have any customer service skills of value.
Any movement would need to be assisted within existing forums, and with this being by far the most popular, maybe it should start here....

Russ

 

[Ralph]

All team representatives are invited to send suggestions, proposals, questions, issues of importance to the SPL in the next days to me, so these matters can be included in the agenda. Be aware, time for our meeting will be limited, so we might not be able to deal with items you didn’t send in for inclusion in the agenda.

So if you do send in a suggestion, proposal, question, issue of importance to the SPL and they think it may be a bit tricky to answer it...... you work it out

 

[TheRenton]

Not sure if this is what is required, it would necessitate the relevant organisers to actually go to the site to see what is being said, and then construct a reply and as I (and many others) have said, they don't have any customer service skills of value.
Any movement would need to be assisted within existing forums, and with this being by far the most popular, maybe it should start here....

Russ

No you misunderstand me Russ, it will start here, and the website will just be for ease of registering and details for MS and other events. We will be bringing things directly to the boards, as long as it gets the support!! I won't be web discussions with the organiser. I'll fill you in when I get some other support.

 

[Ralph]

Last year the MS introduced the M7 format in the CPL for the first time and according to the players, it was an instant success. The MS wants to develop the M7 format even further, so this year we expand the format to the SPL as second highest league. This newly created European top division will increase awareness and generate additional promotional opportunities for teams and series alike. We want to cooperate with you, the teams, wherever possible.

See, they are only giving you what you want.

 

[Ralph]

If you have any questions how to handle VAT in the best possible way by paying through a company, please refer directly to the MS financial officer Mr. Stephen Baldwin

Not the local customs & excise office then