I can remember a conversation a few months ago now where the the Paintball Association Cup concept was banded about by Gillie and Hatts and thinking it sounds ok but who would take the time and trouble to bring it to a reality.
In case you dont know what i am talking about it is very simple instead of teams playing as the muts nuts or the other equaly non geographical names, Teams used a area name like most other SPORTING teams ie: MANCHESTER United or The BRADFORD Bulls, Get my drift.
Gillie and Hatts thought if it could be pulled off it must be to a superiour standard then the events we all know at the moment.
In fact that was white lined playing pitchs a starting procedure that all liked and could not be abused by anyone full security for players kit and so much more i will let the players who attended let you all know.
They themselves thought about the idea and was convinced this is the way forward for paintball because they thought if we used place names we could get outside interest for paintball from the press to local sponsors for the teams attending and if that happend everyone and i do mean everyone would gain.
And they decided to put their hand in their own pocket and tried to prove a point for the benefit af paintball in general.
And did it work we know that the teams attending was interviewed by at least seven radio stations Gillie herself has talked daft to numerious press and radio stations to try and big up paintball and get more people interested in trying it out or just even supporting there local team.
She even approached William Hill to see if the would take bets on the outcome and because of the concept guess what they DID.
And today in the news of the world it mentions the Paintball Association Cup and says that Manchester was odds on to win.
So did the teams get local sponsorship you bet your arse they did and if they tried a little harder i am sure could have recieved full support for this and other events.
So where do we go from here, In my humble opinion only forward but only if we see the light and stop using the names we use at the moment - So when do we see the Stockport Attack or the London Tigers and even the Home Counties Storm.
I think anybody in paintball should give major thanks to Gillie and Hatts either on this forum or when you see them at your local tourney.
As for me and the rest of the Manchester Marshals it was our pleasure to help in our small way to your success this weekend and you will have our support and help any time you want it.
So to Gillie and Hatts on behalf of UK paintball Thank You very very much.
In case you dont know what i am talking about it is very simple instead of teams playing as the muts nuts or the other equaly non geographical names, Teams used a area name like most other SPORTING teams ie: MANCHESTER United or The BRADFORD Bulls, Get my drift.
Gillie and Hatts thought if it could be pulled off it must be to a superiour standard then the events we all know at the moment.
In fact that was white lined playing pitchs a starting procedure that all liked and could not be abused by anyone full security for players kit and so much more i will let the players who attended let you all know.
They themselves thought about the idea and was convinced this is the way forward for paintball because they thought if we used place names we could get outside interest for paintball from the press to local sponsors for the teams attending and if that happend everyone and i do mean everyone would gain.
And they decided to put their hand in their own pocket and tried to prove a point for the benefit af paintball in general.
And did it work we know that the teams attending was interviewed by at least seven radio stations Gillie herself has talked daft to numerious press and radio stations to try and big up paintball and get more people interested in trying it out or just even supporting there local team.
She even approached William Hill to see if the would take bets on the outcome and because of the concept guess what they DID.
And today in the news of the world it mentions the Paintball Association Cup and says that Manchester was odds on to win.
So did the teams get local sponsorship you bet your arse they did and if they tried a little harder i am sure could have recieved full support for this and other events.
So where do we go from here, In my humble opinion only forward but only if we see the light and stop using the names we use at the moment - So when do we see the Stockport Attack or the London Tigers and even the Home Counties Storm.
I think anybody in paintball should give major thanks to Gillie and Hatts either on this forum or when you see them at your local tourney.
As for me and the rest of the Manchester Marshals it was our pleasure to help in our small way to your success this weekend and you will have our support and help any time you want it.
So to Gillie and Hatts on behalf of UK paintball Thank You very very much.
