Kids Today...

[Missy-Q]

Its not like this is the first generation of kids playing paintball.

No, and this is the point I'm reaching for. The first generation of kids that played paintball were people like:

Robbo
Youngblood
the Gardners
the Greens
Ledz, Jack & Jules
Laurent Hamet
Rennick Miller
Billy Ceranski
Bob Long
Lane Wright
John Rice
Simon Stevens
Magued Idris
John Sosta
Dave Galsworthy
Jacko

and the list goes on and on, but I picked these guys for a reason.

 

[onasilverbike]

Thanks. I was kinda looking for a ' I think number 2 is unfair and this is why' kind of answer, but its cool, all cool, and you're right, they do know about the birds and the bee's real early.

Like before, I think it bepends on the kids and the mentors/role models they have.

I have managed junior teams for new/young players and most are great, I acknowledge that a lot of them don't have the cash and rely on Mummy & Daddy for the cash (as, in these 'modern times, it is not easy for them to find gainful employment), until they get to the age where the parents decide they should fund them selves.

This is the major reason I don't enforce any kit rules or seek a 'sponsorship' deal for kit, I would rather they get the best use from what they have than shell out more on new gear, what they save they can use for paint, entry fees, training etc., what I consider the important things.

If they do get any help and support from a retailer with discounts etc. I make sure they show their gratitude and represent wherever and whenever possible.

Occasionally you get a kid with a bad attitude, they need to be taken aside and given a talking to, given a lesson in the cold facts of life (with consultation of their parents/guardian) and maybe put on a warning. If they decide to quit then it probably wasn't for them, but usually they work harder to fit in the team.

IMHO there is no such thing as bad kids, just bad influences, in life many see their role models getting ahead for little effort (the fame culture), sometimes they need to be shown that the road to glory isn't paved in gold.

 

[NSKlad]

1. It's a generalisation. Sure not all kids are like this, but enough are! And perhaps if someone was honest and said something once in a while the smart amongst you "might" start to think how your AGG (or watever it is this year) behaviour is intepreted by others around you.

Perhaps they are, but I don't see them anywhere. This sounds more like some bunch of "Angel Fanboys" or "HK Fanboys" or whatever insult is popular with the old geezers these days for inexperienced players. (Don't take that literally, please)

To be blunt, when I went to watch the NSPL and KOTH last weekend, I saw two things. There's a team called GBH, they have loads of young players. These guys are damn good, they play honestly and they don't throw hissy fits at the refs. No, it was the older guys on another team screaming, shouting and generally going berzerk at each other. Not that there was much of this going on, but that was what I saw.

2. Because I've seen it and been on several teams where it's happened. Whether amateur or fully sponsored factory teams, kids are generally the reason teams end up imploding. Infact the best ever result we had a major event was when we dumped all the kids and only played adults. The 4ft high Millennium trophy says so.

Give me an example then, explain this result.

 

[stongle]

Give me an example then, explain this result.

Evil Sharks, Millennium X Ball 2004.

Piper and PGi and went well out of their way for the team all year. Bullets, kit & entry etc (that's proper sponsorship), and most of the kids couldn't be bothered to turn up for training let alone let the rest of the team know. When the team was comprised of members from around the country giving up every other weekend to train, it would've been nice if they had respect for other team menbers and the Sponsors, no?

I mean hey you might sh*t Tiffany Cufflinks, but a lot of kids your age don't. Hey maybe it's all changed, but your yard stick for measurement is only local events not majors. Last time I went to a major event, most of the top teams were mostly in thier 20's.

 

[snax]

Im 16 and try and play as much as possible, i lied about my age to get a job to afford to play , selling stuff and for you to put 2 and 4 is just a slap in the face really imo.

And the post above the kids who couldnt be assed to turn up, just to refresh you that EVERYONE is differant were not all a bunch of kids who go ok lets play o wait no i would rather knick a car and mug some nans

 

[NSKlad]

Evil Sharks, Millennium X Ball 2004.

Piper and PGi and went well out of their way for the team all year. Bullets, kit & entry etc (that's proper sponsorship), and most of the kids couldn't be bothered to turn up for training let alone let the rest of the team know. When the team was comprised of members from around the country giving up every other weekend to train, it would've been nice if they had respect for other team menbers and the Sponsors, no?

I mean hey you might sh*t Tiffany Cufflinks, but a lot of kids your age don't. Hey maybe it's all changed, but your yard stick for measurement is only local events not majors. Last time I went to a major event, most of the top teams were mostly in thier 20's.

So you had a bad batch?

I'm not turning up for my team's training session tommorow, as the captain knows, because I have my job's induction day then. Everyone on the team accepts and understands. I've turned up to every other one I can afford, and I've told people when I can't.

Regarding the cufflinks, if you're trying to suggest I'm minted, this is my first proper job ever I'm reffering to. There is no "Bank of Mum and Dad" for me.

If you're discussing kids playing pro then I'l stand down because I can't comment, but what I see when I go to a tournament or train totally contradicts your rather sharp view of things...

 

[unistu]

well to be honest, you have generalized far to much here!!!! obviously you have had an issue with some kids and then now you are looking to blame something that has happened on a wider scale with all kids that play in the sport...


how do you know that its not the adults as such that is dragging down the sport no respect for the kids in the sport and all other points you have stated

its the kids that are making our beloved sport grow and yes that list that you have put up of the older generation that has made it big in paintball give it time and as all them names how have mentioned will get old and grey(sorry guys and girls but that is life) and retire now i wounder who will carry the sport on HEY the newer generation will as they get older so my point in this is guide them in the correct way, teach them just as the older guys were tought as well as listening to them. this way we will all read from the same book and paintball itself will progress


but kids in general in the world may well be getting worse but its down to the graudians and people around them from young ages that bring them up, this is the reason for them with less respect for others and many more reasons they do, what they do and think it is fine to do so.

so theres my input fire away at me

 

[Cook$]

but kids in general in the world may well be getting worse but its down to the graudians and people around them from young ages that bring them up, this is the reason for them with less respect for others and many more reasons they do, what they do and think it is fine to do so.

That's because kids are having kids.


Why does everyone think Missy is having a go at kids, when the first post was basically a multiple choice question?
All you had to do was pick an answer(s) and explain your reasoning, noone was having a go.

But well done Missy, the bigger divide we have between us and the kidz, the better

 

[unistu]

kids having kids yep agreed 1 main issue

and missy is having ago at kids in general look at the options there is to choose from i mean yes there is a few good points but seriously this is a dig by missy at kids in the sport as what has triggered this is the thread started by paintballjett (sorry to drag you in bud) that has unbelievably been blown out of proportion.

so my point in general is that there is no specific person/people/group to be blamed for paintball goin under(now coming back up thanks to THE FEDS) but everyone as a hole.


dont give me wrong but with reading this thread that is the way it seems someone looking to blame something on someone else (makes sense in my head lol)

 

[Bambulus]

All that was asked is the opinions on the kids of paintball and their attitudes - no judgements made in the OP and certainly no 'having a go'.

I don't know many kids who play since I haven't met any, but what I can say is that it's the responsibility of the older generations to guide the younger generations, and teach them how to behave when they're playing. Especially when (or if) they step out of line.

There are good kids and bad kids in any sport, responsible and irresponsible. Some will go on to play vital roles in the industry, others won't. Some will go onto playing big leagues, owning training sites, setting up shops et cetera. Some of these may have been little sh**s when they were younger, but everyone grows up eventually - whether it be by their own accord or through the guidance of others.

Every single player I have met in my whole 6/7 months of playing has been incredibly nice, helpful and mature. I can also tell they they won't stand for anybody screwing around, so I highly doubt there is a problem. Hell, if I saw a kid d**king about, I'd like to think I'd tell 'em what's what.