Hmmmm interesting thread and whilst I do agree that we have “a displaced walk-on community”, I’m not so sure the real root cause is defined here. The following is an opinion, so quit sharpening the kebab knife if you disagree Pete.
I’d agree the way forward is as described, but I think your picking on a symptom of the problem. OK it’s a pretty big symptom, but to cure this we have to understand the real problem.
The real problem with UK Paintball, is Paint, the supply of it. The ready supply of Paint to individuals and teams is destabilising the UK Paintball scene. When we talk of novice teams we’re really reffering to mini paint buying syndicates. 7 mates club together to buy Paint at outrageously cheap prices, and then expect to rock up to a site and use it. If ever 3 letters fcuked UK ball, it was BYO.
With the whole of the community expecting to be allowed to bring their own bullets and not buy from the site, the site owners have very little incentive to cater for the improvements you advocate as recouping that investment is going to take a very long time. In business if the return on investment is beyond a certain date range it ain’t going to get looked at (regardless of how sensible the solution really is). This fast buck principle applies to both Paintball site operators and big business alike, I’m not really sure you can change the nature of business.
Now, if you can change the way Paint is supplied, and get some control of this back to the sites, the site owners can start to see how some of this additional investment can be recouped. Getting the site owners into the loop means paint can be priced on a sliding scale and discounts on the box price better incentivised. With teams currently able to flit between who can supply a box at the cheapest price, we have an ongoing Paint price war, and all of us are getting botty raped in the process.
Now if you really want to change the UK scene, why start with bundles of site operators, why not just try and influence the 10 or so people who control the flow of Paint. There’s a lot that can be done at this level, which need not be outlined here. Whilst I’m sure at the outside that seems like trying to broker a Middle East peace deal, but the interests of Piper, Baldwin and co ain’t any different. Yes we may be heading towards a cartel environment, and certain suppliers may need to be completely frozen out of the marketplace but regulating paint supply is good for all. Well except the mini buying cartels – Novice Teams. The fact is Paintball may need to become a little more expensive in the short term to the casual player. If the path to cheaper ball is actually to play more and get better, it don’t take a rocket scientist to work out what you need to do. Break down the reason for the existence of these mini buying syndicates, and you can solve some of your displacement issues.
If we are to truly emulate the US model, then you also need to introduce other factors, unfortunately my laptop battery ain’t gonna last that long (hoorraahh!!!!).
