Oh, Rotor. I'm a tight arse and almost died paying £85 for a second hand loader but man, the design if that thing is incredible!! Balanced, easy to strip down, some heavy R&D gone into that and worth every penny.
State of UK paintball
- Thread starter LATHAM
- Start date
Anyway fellas my main point wasn't to really go on about the sponsorship side of things totally. It was actually ment as a positive post.
I had been hearing that since me and Al had left the sport it had seriously declined (I like to think that's cos everybody missed us sooooo much). The thing is, that I saw on Sunday that I don't think that is the case. Yes maybe the number of top tier teams has dropped, but maybe that amount of teams just wasn't sustainable. What I did see was that most of the smaller teams out there appear to be trying pretty damn hard to emulate the pro's. Gun craft has certainly become a big part of the game judging by how most people played and everyone seemed pretty tight in their bunkers. Things that a lot of Am and Novice teams just didn't do very well 5 years ago.
I personally think events like the CPPS and Ballin on the Beach have shown teams that they can run good events and that the teams have stepped up to that. I used to hate looking at pics from previous tournaments we played in as half the teams out there had massive drop forwards so they could play tight, yet leaned out the bunkers with their chicken wings sticking out?!? I used to drive me mad. Just looked through some of the pics posted up in the 7man thread and whilst there are a couple of funny ones, nearly every pic of a dude and his gun look to be pretty good. Nice tight play with the gun held nice and low and when needed the hopper tilted in a bit. Sweet!
Now I know that doesn't make them the next Damage point man or anything, but at least now it shows that players are taking all this gun craft stuff on board. When me and Al last played some people would laugh cos we didn't have a drop forward! Now who's laughing
I had been hearing that since me and Al had left the sport it had seriously declined (I like to think that's cos everybody missed us sooooo much). The thing is, that I saw on Sunday that I don't think that is the case. Yes maybe the number of top tier teams has dropped, but maybe that amount of teams just wasn't sustainable. What I did see was that most of the smaller teams out there appear to be trying pretty damn hard to emulate the pro's. Gun craft has certainly become a big part of the game judging by how most people played and everyone seemed pretty tight in their bunkers. Things that a lot of Am and Novice teams just didn't do very well 5 years ago.
I personally think events like the CPPS and Ballin on the Beach have shown teams that they can run good events and that the teams have stepped up to that. I used to hate looking at pics from previous tournaments we played in as half the teams out there had massive drop forwards so they could play tight, yet leaned out the bunkers with their chicken wings sticking out?!? I used to drive me mad. Just looked through some of the pics posted up in the 7man thread and whilst there are a couple of funny ones, nearly every pic of a dude and his gun look to be pretty good. Nice tight play with the gun held nice and low and when needed the hopper tilted in a bit. Sweet!
Now I know that doesn't make them the next Damage point man or anything, but at least now it shows that players are taking all this gun craft stuff on board. When me and Al last played some people would laugh cos we didn't have a drop forward! Now who's laughing
Al and Chris,
Thanks for your kind words about the CPPS and glad you enjoyed your day. I just want to share a few things for next season which will hopefully step up the level once again for the benefit of UK ball and for the average (if there is such a thing) supair player.
We're investing in 2 new fields on the far side of the field to create a block of 5 fields, with hardcore staging in the middle and all round better facilities for the players. New netting from Kpro - as used in the PSP/NPPL leagues, which will eventually be on all 5 fields. Each leg will be an event in itself next year, with finals and prizes for each division. We're creating a player register and database for the series, along with a live entry scoring system so that teams can track their progress against rival teams, and over time will add further structure to our game. The cost to the player will NOT be going up, and if anything, we're looking to reduce that.
The way training has been done previously will also be changed, with membership schemes being brought in for players and teams alike, allowing them to train for cheaper than ever before. Training will also be structured so that newer players won't be just expected to jump on with the high ranking teams. I've been in talks with our various sponsors about player clinics that don't cost the earth and I hope to have more info on that in the start of the new year. I don't want to give too much away, as we've got a LOT of exciting things in the pipeline, all of which will be revealed in time
Just want everyone to know that we're trying to make a difference......hopefully you guys can make a CPPS leg next year and see the standard of the Elite Division, I think you guys might even shed a tear. Not a chicken wing in sight!
Ains
Thanks for your kind words about the CPPS and glad you enjoyed your day. I just want to share a few things for next season which will hopefully step up the level once again for the benefit of UK ball and for the average (if there is such a thing) supair player.
We're investing in 2 new fields on the far side of the field to create a block of 5 fields, with hardcore staging in the middle and all round better facilities for the players. New netting from Kpro - as used in the PSP/NPPL leagues, which will eventually be on all 5 fields. Each leg will be an event in itself next year, with finals and prizes for each division. We're creating a player register and database for the series, along with a live entry scoring system so that teams can track their progress against rival teams, and over time will add further structure to our game. The cost to the player will NOT be going up, and if anything, we're looking to reduce that.
The way training has been done previously will also be changed, with membership schemes being brought in for players and teams alike, allowing them to train for cheaper than ever before. Training will also be structured so that newer players won't be just expected to jump on with the high ranking teams. I've been in talks with our various sponsors about player clinics that don't cost the earth and I hope to have more info on that in the start of the new year. I don't want to give too much away, as we've got a LOT of exciting things in the pipeline, all of which will be revealed in time
Just want everyone to know that we're trying to make a difference......hopefully you guys can make a CPPS leg next year and see the standard of the Elite Division, I think you guys might even shed a tear. Not a chicken wing in sight!
Ains
Outstanding, Ainsley. If you want chicken wangs, serving tea and double knee slides, I'm your man.
Like the membership idea! Means people have to commit so if they drop out, you (the guys forking out the cash and effort) don't lose hard on things.
I'm super excited about next year!! It's gonna be awesome! ****, have I just commited to playing again?
I'm super excited about next year!! It's gonna be awesome! ****, have I just commited to playing again?
I'm sure I could be kind enough to send you some free 'Sh*t' if you really want some of it?
Regarding the membership idea......this is an extension of the "paintball club" format, an idea that has been floated by a certain well-known coach of a world champion team.
The coach in question is willing to run clinics not just for individuals or teams, but for clubs.
You may be aware that Ainsley was at Cup this year. You may also be aware that the PSP works with APPA to provide a player database, and you will also have seen the PSP webcasts and live scoring of matches.
I don't think Ainsley's visit to Cup was purely for a holiday. If he has is been doing what I am thinking, I don't want to give too much away, so we will wait for an official announcement from Ainsley.
I'll certainly be up for any clinics he runs in the off season, and will be playing the entire 2013 CPPS season, since I have been warming up at tournaments since August and will be training in a secret location over the winter.
The coach in question is willing to run clinics not just for individuals or teams, but for clubs.
You may be aware that Ainsley was at Cup this year. You may also be aware that the PSP works with APPA to provide a player database, and you will also have seen the PSP webcasts and live scoring of matches.
I don't think Ainsley's visit to Cup was purely for a holiday. If he has is been doing what I am thinking, I don't want to give too much away, so we will wait for an official announcement from Ainsley.
I'll certainly be up for any clinics he runs in the off season, and will be playing the entire 2013 CPPS season, since I have been warming up at tournaments since August and will be training in a secret location over the winter.
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Ainsley, shame we didn't get to meet you Sunday, but we'll get our main man Rich to introduce us next time
I heard on Sunday that you had big plans in the works and I've gotta say these sound really good. If the players area is hard cored that would definitely be a winner as the mud was really the only problem I could see.
Really like the idea of each leg being a sort of stand alone event with finals etc. Gives everyone a shot of pulling off an unbelievable win, even if its just the once. Kind of like a mini cup each time.
Think it's pretty certain that were gonna make quite a few events next year. Just gotta sort a few things out at our end, but even from attending the casual 7man, it's the type of events that would make me want to get back into the sport.
Oh and Jonno, I can't wait to see this 'chicken wang' of yours
I heard on Sunday that you had big plans in the works and I've gotta say these sound really good. If the players area is hard cored that would definitely be a winner as the mud was really the only problem I could see.
Really like the idea of each leg being a sort of stand alone event with finals etc. Gives everyone a shot of pulling off an unbelievable win, even if its just the once. Kind of like a mini cup each time.
Think it's pretty certain that were gonna make quite a few events next year. Just gotta sort a few things out at our end, but even from attending the casual 7man, it's the type of events that would make me want to get back into the sport.
Oh and Jonno, I can't wait to see this 'chicken wang' of yours