Got to say that from all the events in 2003 - the PA Cup gets my vote as the best of the lot.
Not only for the way the tournament was organised - but also for the manner in which Gillie and Hatts have gone about promoting our sport to the general public. The entire concept to have teams representing areas and cities inspired our team, on formation, to continue this message throughout the year.
Does it work ?? - We have had two articles in the Lincolnshire Echo (local newspaper) and two interviews on BBC Radio Lincolnshire - about the team and it's development. We are pushing to have all our results featured in the Sports Pages of the local paper - just like the other local "sports" teams. This has, in turn, given alot of business back to our main site sponsor Combat Zone Lincoln. We have also had interest from local business and the local county council in helping the team financially. Our playing tops were designed and produced by a Lincoln based Sports Clothing manufacturer who produces the Lincoln City football strips.
And just look at the response that we have had on the appearance of the Manc Union boys on "They think its all over" on BBC - this is a Sports Quiz program and firmly places paintball as a sport in the minds of the population - I even had people at the gym I go to coming up and asking me about the program - as they knew I managed a team !!!
Back to the P.A Cup itself - the whole event was a success from start to finish - I read and hear all the time about much higher profile events - how crap the marshalling is - how the lack of security results in kit being stolen etc. Well the P.A Cup 2003 had none of that - the security was brilliant - you had to wear your I.D card at all times - even when packing up after the finals - I was'nt allowed out of the players area without my pass - even though I had been going in and out all weekend and they recognised me on the gate.
The marshalling was second to none - "firm but fair" with any disputes quickly resolved on the field. Chronoing of guns on and off the field was good and the whole event ran to schedule.
The facilities for the players - with plenty of space and a proper covered area was excellent.
If you did'nt go - or felt that it was'nt worth travelling for - because you had an event up the road to go to - get your team booked in for 2004 !!!! You missed the event of the year - the only down side was the lack of support from the teams in the U.K - there should of been 60 teams playing - not 11 !!!!
Well done to everyone at PBUK and the Paintball Association for having the vision to move our sport on to the next level - not for personal gain but for the good of the sport.
See you in 2004,
Rich
Not only for the way the tournament was organised - but also for the manner in which Gillie and Hatts have gone about promoting our sport to the general public. The entire concept to have teams representing areas and cities inspired our team, on formation, to continue this message throughout the year.
Does it work ?? - We have had two articles in the Lincolnshire Echo (local newspaper) and two interviews on BBC Radio Lincolnshire - about the team and it's development. We are pushing to have all our results featured in the Sports Pages of the local paper - just like the other local "sports" teams. This has, in turn, given alot of business back to our main site sponsor Combat Zone Lincoln. We have also had interest from local business and the local county council in helping the team financially. Our playing tops were designed and produced by a Lincoln based Sports Clothing manufacturer who produces the Lincoln City football strips.
And just look at the response that we have had on the appearance of the Manc Union boys on "They think its all over" on BBC - this is a Sports Quiz program and firmly places paintball as a sport in the minds of the population - I even had people at the gym I go to coming up and asking me about the program - as they knew I managed a team !!!
Back to the P.A Cup itself - the whole event was a success from start to finish - I read and hear all the time about much higher profile events - how crap the marshalling is - how the lack of security results in kit being stolen etc. Well the P.A Cup 2003 had none of that - the security was brilliant - you had to wear your I.D card at all times - even when packing up after the finals - I was'nt allowed out of the players area without my pass - even though I had been going in and out all weekend and they recognised me on the gate.
The marshalling was second to none - "firm but fair" with any disputes quickly resolved on the field. Chronoing of guns on and off the field was good and the whole event ran to schedule.
The facilities for the players - with plenty of space and a proper covered area was excellent.
If you did'nt go - or felt that it was'nt worth travelling for - because you had an event up the road to go to - get your team booked in for 2004 !!!! You missed the event of the year - the only down side was the lack of support from the teams in the U.K - there should of been 60 teams playing - not 11 !!!!
Well done to everyone at PBUK and the Paintball Association for having the vision to move our sport on to the next level - not for personal gain but for the good of the sport.
See you in 2004,
Rich
