Time for UK ballers to Act?

[Lucky]

I believe we are some way to understanding the process involved in getting our sport recognised and established but i have to pose this question just to gauge opinion:

As soon as i mention paintball to anyone they automatically think i dress up in camoflage and hide in the woods for hours and fail to grasp the concept of a fast team game played in an open arena, "So should we adopt another name such as Hyperball, X-ball, etc etc, to make a clear distinction that we do not play in the woods and are in fact a proper team/tournament sport" ?

I just feel that using the term "Paintball", to describe what we do is actually holding us back in the eighties as far as the blinkered public concept of our sport goes !

What do you reckon dudes?

Colin.

 

[Lucky]

Interesting stuff. If nothing else, this thread kind of identifies how far away from having a solid sporting infrastructure we actually are. Any feedback guys?

Syd, I've just been thinking about your comment above, realistically paintball does not have any solid infrastructure at all at this moment, and with reports of sponsorship dropping etc etc i would have to say that the future of paintball as we know it is actually on shakie ground, i don't really know too much about the various organisations in paintball and more importantly what drives the people behind the scenes to do what they do?

Personally i play unsponsored for the pure enjoyment of the game and would love to see it's recognition even if i was not involved in the sport once this had happened (i'm 39 now and knowing how long these things take)? But for what reasons do the current governing bodies operate? Is it business, political, or social?

It could be that although we are looking towards the powers above us to get the game right, maybe this is not the way foreward and the formation of a new "independant" body would be needed to kick start the actions required !

Another point to ponder over

 

[Syd (NSPL)]

Originally posted by diablo66
what drives the people behind the scenes to do what they do?

I think most tournament organisers are still trying to figure that one out for themselves, so its a difficult question to answer.

Personally, I fell in love with the sport. I have a passion for it and want to see where I can take my events and the overall sport in my region. I've worked damn hard to try and earn a living out of paintball so that it can become a major part of my life and I can enjoy the lifestyle that paintball provides. So, I would imagine that the age old answer of "for the love of the sport" applies the most. Though most people don't seem to accept that.

Oh and you're right. Applying the word "paintball" to a sporting version of the game is detrimental. X-Ball is so much more powerful. We just need to see where the powers that be take that one. Though things are starting to happen at grass root tournament level on that front too.

 

[Dark Warrior]

No International rules
No independant marshals (even the PA marshalls still play in others series events)
No International governing body
No National team structure
No National governing bodies


5 major stumbling blocks which have to be crossed b4 anything else can progress.

 

[Syd (NSPL)]

Agreed. And that's what the idea is all about. If we get even half of those issues resolved, the game will be a hell of a lot healthier than it is now.

 

[EyeFellOva]

One of the biggest problems I've seen in my short time playing, is the lack of co-operation between the different events/leagues.

If, as Eric said, there were a set of international rules, defined and set in stone (like most other sports) then it would make the game more acceptable. Too many times do you read that teams will not be playing an event because they don't like the rules. This is not the fault of the team, but the fault of the industry for not getting it's act together and creating a solid set of rules.

This is also one of the problems that would stop the sport from getting accepted by any sporting event comittee, especially the olympics. Every current olympic sport adheres to a set of international rules, this allows qualification for the olympic sports through localised events. Without those rules, people might as well be playing different games.

And, it takes a PHD in astro-physics to keep up with all of the rule changes that have been going on

 

[charlie11]

just read the first post and i think its a brilliant idea!!!!


gettin somekind of small tournament or just a couple of matches on tv in the OLYMPICS would be awesum!!!!


charlie

 

[Rich S]

there is a major stumbling block that sums up all of darkwarriors.
the current big wigs in the 'sport' all have their own priorities. they are either owners of companies, teams or are event orgainisers.

the IOC will want the IGB to be independant people in the sport. would these big wigs give up their positions to run a body that could potentially fail if it was done wrong? and probably not get as much money.

over all i think that it is a great idea and the best idea would be to invite the GB IOC panel to the campaign cup and show them what its all about.

go for it syd!!!

 

[Pureball]

i think we've all been focusing on making it better and havent seen the bad points in terms of IMAGE.

the typical person, especially punters, see paintball as a party of business collegues or mates going into the woods and shooting each other. so if paintball is announced, no matter what type, that image is printed in the back of their head. you cant describe what x-ball and tourney ball are like. you cant watch it as it gets boring really, you HAVE TO EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF.

we are ultimately doomed with a bad image. parents dont like the idea, as they think its dangerous and influences people to go on killing sprees on the streets...and they also blame videogames...grr dont get me started with that one.

unless the publics mind is changed, then no matter how much advertising and pushing we do, its just futile. you cant mess with free will.