I was just about to start a thread along the same lines, however I was going to title it:
"The attitude of players, what are we going to do about it?"
I think the key issue is that we have spawned an entire generation of players who seem to think they have the right to play-the-grey and cheat and then complain/abuse refs/throw a tantrum when they get caught.
This links into the quality of the refs themselves - the most experienced refs won't stand for it, however those with less experience or more timid natures could well be intimidated and dissuaded from reffing in future.
The problem is compounded by the undertstandable reluctance of event organisers to properly penalise teams - as they don't wish to lose paying customers from future events.
I'd like to see an agreed UKPSF/Federation player code of conduct in place, setting out acceptable behaviour both on and off the field. It should also clearly outline the penalties associated with any infractions.
Players caught cheating should of course attract a 1-4-1 or similar. Dissent with referees during gameplay should attract stronger penalities and verbal or (god forbid) physical threats towards refs/other players/spectators should lead to the perp being instantly banned from the event and possibly from future events. Teams should also be penalised if they're unable to control their squad members.
Sadly paintball seems to be molding itself in the image of football - where 'professional' players are not only those with the most talent, but also those with the biggest attitudes.
It would be far better if players took note of the attitude of people like Roger Federer - who is a role model for people on the lower rungs of his sport, win or lose.
First step needs to be - players, grow the hell up.
Second step should be helping refs get the training and experience they need. It's pointless training them if there is no effective way to control the players.
Great post and I think unmasks the real problem in our sport, and that is a minority spoiling it for everybody else.
Luckily for us, a lot of these ingrates are on their way out of our sport, the natural [de]selective process will soon take care of them anyway.
The bottom line is this, our sport [in this country] is nowhere near rich enough to finance referee training, and that is of course based upon the fact some people want to be trained.
It would come as no surprise that it's a diminishing bunch of ballers who wish to put themselves forward for ref training after the likes of this weekend's outbursts.
Our sport has for the moment, defaulted to its natural level and as such, luxuries such as paid refs is a mere pipe-dream ... it just ain't gonna happen in the short to mid term.
The Fed can oversee a ref training program but it might do us well to try and negotiate walking instead of running at this stage in our development ..... er, which may I remind you is, our first event.
I hate the idea we have only a few role models for aspiring players in our sport, the likes of Tommy Pemberton and Jason Wheeler are two great candidates but what will stick in the minds of the vast majority of players and refs over the weekend is the scum that was on show masquerading as a 'pro' team, they were a disgrace to themselves and their sponsors and to UK paintball.
Every other team there, well, they were a credit !!!
As were the Refs !!!!!!!!!!!!!
