Just to clarify, the original post says "a higher class of player" are we talking skill level or more personal qualitities? If costs went up I doubt I'd be able to play at all. I have to work hard to scrounge together enough money to play once every two months but I do it because I love to play. I mean since when was the best player on the field the one with the best kit? I suck because I don't play enough but I dont feel I should be priced out of a sport. I feel that given time until I'm financially secure and able to invest money into it properly I would grow to the standard of player that you desire.
It's not a snobbish thing if you can believe it. I'd rather have a **** player who tries hard and trains to make themselves better, than someone who's **** hot but never shows up, can't afford to be there with the rest of us to train as a team. Over the last couple of years I've seen a number of wannabe's who blow in, buy the gear, play cheap paintball for a few months, then decide they can't be bothered bcause it's raining, or because it actually requires some effort to get better. Sell their gear that they bought second hand, or through their sponsor lose maybe 50 quid on the lot and f*ck off only to come back and declare their undying dedication to effort.
You sound like the sort of guy who's in it for the long haul. Everyone has priorities and bills, mortgages, kids, wives, high maintenance girlfriends etc, but the fact you know you can't afford to play now, yet have plans to play when you can afford to shows long term planning and dedication, and whether you're **** at the game or not, i'll step on the field with you long before i'll step on with someone like the people i've described above.
Back to dusty's 1st post (sorry if anyone has mentioned it before) but to make it exclusive again?
How can that be so by just having money. In fact in some sports many players who have managed to become 'professional' don't always come from being well off. Im guessing if you didnt have these types of players, alot of the teams now wouldn't have some of there greatest players.
Its discriminative to say
No one is any better than anyone else. At least not down to what equipment they decide to use.
When you watch someone playing on the field, it is very rare you look at the gear they are using if they are playing well. Even when you get shot out, it certainly doesn't make you feel any better to know if you got shot out by an ion or an NT.
I play paintball because i enjoy it. I couldn't care less if you have the latest marker. I appreciate the technology and work and commitment that goes into making all paintball equipment, but it doesn't mean it will change how people play or there level of commitment.
I don't get put out by markers, it's the balls that put me out. I don't care who shoots what, like I say, it's not about how rich you are.In fact, if i see someone with a sparkly marker, no scratches on it, looking like it came straight out of the box, I'm not even remotely worried, shows me they never use the chuffing thing.
I know not everyone can afford to step up and drop a grand straight out, but the same people who moan they don't have money to train on sunday, are out on the piss on saturday night, spending what? £50? £60? on booze? Give over......... including travel whats a training session cost most people these days? £35 or £40??
I am not the richest guy in the world, but I gave up smoking. I don't drink much. I don't go out on the razz with my mates, I'm a mod, we don't have any except for each other.
I'm married with 2 kids, and perfectly happy to NOT go down the bar 3 times a week, i don't gamble, no moral reasoning behind it i just don't do it on top of that I work two jobs. Hence i am fortunate that i can afford to buy a new shiny when the notion strikes me, i can afford to go training, I make an effort to help those who make the effort.
