UK PAINTBALL Vs EUROPEAN PAINBALL

[rental]

I’m finding it a great emotion torment that to play any competitive paintball (Which by this i hope not to or even mean to undermine any other player or team in the UK) But why is it that we have to travel into Europe to play good quality paintball.

Why is it so hard for the top teams in the UK to support other UK teams by giving them each a chance to step up to and be counted.

It is my impression that every time plans are laid down it create the arena for the top 6 to 10 teams in the uk to battle it out, the very top teams will not commit.

Really this thread is a question. No this is a direct shout to the top teams in the UK to answer this for themselves.

WHY?

 

[Oli HPG]

Well I fear that there is too much internal politics involved!

But I couldn't agree more with you Luke!!!

Look about 4-5 years back...teams came to the UK to train with the best teams in Europe as they were UK TEAMS!


Now we go to Hungry, Sweden , Germany and as in our case California to train...WTF!

 

[Kevin]

the answer to 9 out of 10 questions is money.

It costs a lot to play in europe.
and therefore commiting to a uk series as well can be a bit of a stretch.

(this is my opinion and not necessairily that of my team)

 

[Oli HPG]

the answer to 9 out of 10 questions is money.

It costs a lot to play in europe.
and therefore commiting to a uk series as well can be a bit of a stretch.

(this is my opinion and not necessairily that of my team)

I don't know who you play for, but most of the top teams in the UK do receive decent support from the industry to be able to afford to play abroad.

It would be cheaper for them to scrim in the UK than having to fly to other countries to train!

 

[TendringLOEB]

Bagpuss, generally the top UK teams actually receive less than you think from their sponsorship deals. You only have to ask some of the players to see how much time, money and effort it takes them to play at that level and travel those distances, it's back-breaking for most.

In relation to a unified top-level only series - it's hard enough finding people to run the more popular lower level leagues with the slim profit margins available to be earned, so where on earth would you find someone willing to organise that kind of series, with practically no profit margins and the same amount of costs? Plus on top of that, for that person to then take the inevitable backlash if something goes wrong, the bitching and in-fighting from other leagues, or just the general attitude of British paintballers, is almost a superhuman effort.

Before we even get to that stage there needs to be a lot more money invested in the paintball industry of this country.

 

[Oli HPG]

Bagpuss, generally the top UK teams actually receive less than you think from their sponsorship deals. You only have to ask some of the players to see how much time, money and effort it takes them to play at that level and travel those distances, it's back-breaking for most.

Well I agree and disagree with you. Some teams have got a very large budget to spend. For us i.e. we are well supported by the industry and that does ease the cost of playing. Not going into what other teams get but there is very cheap (free) paintball in the UK!

In relation to a unified top-level only series - it's hard enough finding people to run the more popular lower level leagues with the slim profit margins available to be earned, so where on earth would you find someone willing to organise that kind of series? Plus on top of that, for that person to then take the inevitable backlash if something goes wrong, the bitching and in-fighting from other leagues, or just the general attitude of British paintballers, is almost a superhuman effort.

Agreed but is it not about time that we change that? And there is stuff in the pipe line in co-operation with the top dogs in the industry!

Before we even get to that stage there needs to be a lot more money invested in this industry in this country.

That is all happening behind the scene...there is loads going to happen in 2009!

 

[Oli HPG]

At Campaign, I saw Jason Wheeler from Nexus walk straight up to Nicky Cuba and Mikko from the Ironmen and ask what he could have done better on the last match he played. No ego, no fear....just a desire to improve and this is one Pro player asking another Pro player if they can help! No Pro's are just going to come over and start telling you what you could do better and no top level teams are going to call a div 2 team up to arrange a practice but they will happily talk to you and teach you if you ask them.

keka

Jason is amazing and pushed really hard to improve his game! If he is not training with Nexus he is training with us!

We do the same by having people like BShort, Tony Perez and Mr U giving us tips and training option and in some cases they even play for us either as guest (BShort) or a part of the team (Tony Perez)!

It is all possible...you just have to have the drive!

Less bitching more pro-active! Works wonders!

 

[Exile]

I’m finding it a great emotion torment that to play any competitive paintball (Which by this i hope not to or even mean to undermine any other player or team in the UK) But why is it that we have to travel into Europe to play good quality paintball.

Why is it so hard for the top teams in the UK to support other UK teams by giving them each a chance to step up to and be counted.

It is my impression that every time plans are laid down it create the arena for the top 6 to 10 teams in the uk to battle it out, the very top teams will not commit.

Really this thread is a question. No this is a direct shout to the top teams in the UK to answer this for themselves.

WHY?

Could it simple economics/demographics?

We all hark back to yesteryear, when European paintball was dominated by the UK Teams, but as time has moved on, the European countries have embraced paintball more and more, and they have more people who are new to the sport being enticed directly by the tournament side of things.

Let's also look at some other factors outside of the UK:

France - once second only to the UK in terms of successful teams and commitment, now have slipped down the list, why?

East Europe (Former Soviet Union), (RussiaPoland, Hungary, Bulgaria etc.) - have an emerging and flourishing tournament scene, brought about by a revitalised economy and a direct introduction to the tournament side of paintball as opposed to a filter-effect through the rec-ball scene.

Germany - once an almost blackspot of paintball due to legal restrctions, now again has many players introduced into Supair directly.

Perhaps we should ask ourselves why we, as players, are not developing grass roots tournament players by setting up feeder teams (not just absorbing existing teams Oli! ) based around punter or training sites and promoting these separately to the current rec/walk scene - i.e. offering cheap "try tournament paintball" days/afternoons to Hockey/football/rugby players.

And let's also not forget that it is cheaper for a UK team to go to Europe for a weekend (flights/accommodation/local transport/food & drink) than it is for a European team to come here.

These may not be the only answers, but I'll bet they are a large part of why teams don't come over here anymore.

 

[Oli HPG]

France - once second only to the UK in terms of successful teams and commitment, now have slipped down the list, why?

Well France still has some of the finest European Teams around! TonTons and Icons just to name a few!!!

East Europe (Former Soviet Union), (RussiaPoland, Hungary, Bulgaria etc.) - have an emerging and flourishing tournament scene, brought about by a revitalised economy and a direct introduction to the tournament side of paintball as opposed to a filter-effect through the rec-ball scene.

Some truth here but the avarage income in the former eastern block countries does not cover the cost of playing. Support from banks and other sponsors (like the russian railway) make is possible for teams to compete!
i.e. some teams pay 50 Euros per box of training paint! If and when you only earn 300 Euros a month it is impossible to afford to train! Some teams train with 500 paintball for the whole weekend per person!

Still looking at those teams...they are starting to dominate the paintball world overhere....!!!

Germany - once an almost blackspot of paintball due to legal restrctions, now again has many players introduced into Supair directly.

True! The sport has become much interesting for outside media and investors since Germany has implemented a structured league system!!!

Perhaps we should ask ourselves why we, as players, are not developing grass roots tournament players by setting up feeder teams (not just absorbing existing teams Oli! ) based around punter or training sites and promoting these separately to the current rec/walk scene - i.e. offering cheap "try tournament paintball" days/afternoons to Hockey/football/rugby players.

Me absorbing teams???NEEEEEEEEVER!!!

But true, we have started our own recruitment drive for young new blood and it is working! Again...please watch this space till we can make an offical announcement!

 

[Al Woods]

The talent pool inthe UK has always been small and increasingly so over the last few years, by the sounds of it, it seems to be continuing its decline. When I jacked it in (end of 05) there were quite a few potential teams and players out there who played good ball but the jumpr from playing good ball and mixing it with the heavy hitters is huuuuuge. I bet you can count what would traditionally define a 'PRO' athlete on both hands, if that. Look at Joy Division and a lot of the other Euro teams, their top players are true pros, its their job to do it. They train like a footballer would, regularly and with the team, focusing on piece sof game and making it good then practicing team drills and tactics over and over again. This can rarely be done over here because of money and commitment issues. How many ballers you know that don't work because balling is their life and profession? Then, when you've got one, think about how many members of the team that person plays for is in the same boat? That's when things fall apart. 2 or 3 guys can commit every weekend and more but if you have no team to work with then it's pretty pointless in preparation for the big show.

There seem to be more facilities now but still commitment is hard.

Look at the Russians since 04, proper facility and training program plus they actually contract the players and treat them like true professionals, paid wages to be ballers.

It would take someone with a ton of cash to run a proper team, training them regulary and moulding them into what is needed. BUT, even when this is the case, how many other rich dudes are out there with similar teams, talent and goals? High level balling in the UK is a very small pond. This is why, the very top teams with a chance MUST play against the top teams in Europe and the US, otherwise they'll get owned. To expect these guys to focus on making the lower level teams better would mean they would reverse develop and be out of the frame.

So, it is up to the smaller teams to help the talent they have develop the best they can and if certain players get a chance to move on to the big leagues, help em. If you realistically know your team will never make it but some players will then help them get better to make the top teams better, use them while you have them and do the best you can.

Things like Nicky Ts training schools are perfect for the Uk scene. Get some insider info on how it's done and improve yourselves which in turn will strengthen the divisions which in turn could attract the bigger teams to make an appearance every now and then.

Ok, long ass post, not sure if there's a point in there but it's Friday.

Don't expect to be loved and cuddled, if you wanna get better then get better and if you wanna know what the big boys think. Go and ask them.

Sweet!!

the future's bright boys.