Whatever happened to....the South East scene?

[Gadget]

This is a rhetorical question and more of an opporuntity for a whinge, as I'm aware of the financial woes afflicting the game as a whole, but it's a right bugger that there's nothing local since the Southern Masters was removed.

Back in the day there were more tournaments in this area than you could shake a stick at - Eurosplat, Sidcup, Dragon's Lair, Mayhem Abridge, APG et al. However now, despite this being the most densely populated area of the country, you have to drive 2hrs+ to the Midlands or to the wrong side of London to get a game (both the Masters and NSPL being great series, although I'd personally have left the 'Western' bit in the NSPL title!).

I appreciate the sense in trying to limit the number of overlapping events and that people will say that if you're a dedicated 'baller, 2hrs is nothing, however for those of us more constrained by laziness than funds, something local would be nice.

Still, at least we've got the Campaign Cup

 

[Robbo]

Good post ......

 

[Gadget]

Is that my phone, or my sarcasm alarm....I can never tell

Would have been better if I'd asked "What happened to all the SE teams?" - as they seem to have dropped like flies over the years and probably account for the dire state of affairs in this area.

 

[Robbo]

Gadget, certainly no sarcasm from me mate, I am in complete agreement and am at a loss to explain why the south has seemingly lost teams when compared to those norvern slags (jk) .... I am sure you can remember the good times when all of the UK was bustling with teams ..

But as you suggest, maybe we need a few more geographically appropriate event sites and then see what happens ......I'll bring it up at tomorrow's federation meeting and see what they guys think.

 

[Gadget]

Cool, thanks.

 

[MissyQ]

Pete, I hope you never tire of being 'that guy'.

The world needs more people like you, who are prepared to 'get 'er done'.

I only hope you get the recognition you should.

 

[Mark Toye-Nexus]

I wonder (I dont really but I'll say I do) if its anything to do with the fact that the site owners also had a vested interest in playing tournaments

Doug Setters ran the two main sites we used to play at, then cam Phil Ham up on the wet and windy hill. The guys at Dragons Lair had teams, same as Mayhem.

Maybe they all got jaded with tournament paintball and that has lead to a lack of interest in putting events on?

OR, they ran businesses running punter day at the same sites (ie in the woods) that we all used to play tourneys in. Change the game to sup air, remove their ability to easily slot in tournaments. Also woods dont need inflating in the morning and dont blow away over night.

 

[Robbo]

Pete, I hope you never tire of being 'that guy'.

The world needs more people like you, who are prepared to 'get 'er done'.

I only hope you get the recognition you should.

Hmmmmm.........I tell ya what I want Missy, I want someone's head on my plate ...and I'm gonna get him!!!

And if that particular personal indulgence isn't too distracting for me, hopefully the federation will change the face of UK paintball for good, for the good!!

 

[Syd (NSPL)]

Casting our minds back two seasons, the NSPL was running events in the South East as well as the Reading venue and the South West. We did this for three years, utilising the D7s and Purerush sites.

Last year was a difficult one with all the tournaments running in the South and other factors contributing to lower team numbers at Southern tournaments. We've ridden that hardship out, but it will take a little time to restore the league's balance again and this must be done baring in mind the remit laid down by the Federation to us event organisers.

I look forward to talking to Pete and the other guys in the Federation about this tomorrow, and the lack of proper South East coverage is not an issue being ignored by the NSPL, I promise you.

 

[Raffles]

Hmmmmm.........I tell ya what I want Missy, I want someone's head on my plate ...and I'm gonna get him!!!...

What have I done now??? .