UK Squads representing in the World Cup.
- Thread starter Marc0
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Wasnt what I asked but thanks anyway...Jason Wheeler and Ash Chaplen from London Nexus PLayed for Tontons Flinguers and Took Home 1st place in Semi-Pro Divison .... Impressive
I was fortunate enough to be camped with the Relentless boys for World Cup and have been on the outside of this thread with various people reporting what has been posted, not until now have I read through it properly.
The Relentless teams did very well, last year they failed to get through the prelims, this year with that experience, better organisation and a few more players Relentless made the last 4, even if counter-coaching and having to play the refs as well as a team they had smashed up in the prelims cost them 3rd place.
Relentless II was a mixture of Tigers 2, Defiance and Entity II players, along with 'Tula' from Relentless Kids and Bruno the random Frenchie and did bloody well to qualify 8th in the prelims!
Obviously when they lost games their heads were hung low, but they had nothing to be ashamed of, they went out there and represented the UK, they played hard and they played fair.
One of the things that made the biggest difference to their success was a day spent training with TBD's Coach, Paul gave up a day off, having prepared his own PSP Pro-Series winning team for most of the previous week, for what was in effect a pittance. With a PSP and NPPL title this season, this guy knows how to motivate players and just as importantly has a deep understanding of how the game works, how players work and how to impart his knowledge to the guys he is coaching. In his own words they were "70-75% of the Pro standard", praise indeed for players who had mostly never played anything more than D2 Millennium, some without any previous non-UK experience.
As for the direction this thread had gone in:
I believe that there is potential in the UK with to compete at the top level, I think it will take some proper investment of time, infrastructure and expertise in to the development of our player base to achieve that, we don't have anything approaching the resources or depth of pockets of the Russians, we don't have the trust fund kids of some (not all) of the US Pro-teams. To many players, competing a season in Europe is ruinous in terms of finances, relationships and work/leave time, let alone the extra expenses of a FULL SEASON in the US.
Last year the Nexus boys gave it their all for a 3rd place in Semi-Pro, playing hard close fought games in ridiculous heat and humidity, this year, as I understand it, they were unable to field a full team due to work and family commitments of some of the guys. Jason and Ash joined the Tontons and brought UK Pro-ball to the US, they both made a contribution and Jason was on a mission, he would have not have been out of place on the Pro-Field had the chance been them. I know we all hate the French, but everybody weighed in for them, they were short of coaches and pit crew and with a lot of English help they brought Cup Winners medals back!
Like I said, there is the potential, the circumstances have not been right!
Hopefully there will he more Brits about at Cup next year, sometimes it felt a bit quiet this time, maybe, we can drown out their snake coaches and beat them at their own game!
The Relentless teams did very well, last year they failed to get through the prelims, this year with that experience, better organisation and a few more players Relentless made the last 4, even if counter-coaching and having to play the refs as well as a team they had smashed up in the prelims cost them 3rd place.
Relentless II was a mixture of Tigers 2, Defiance and Entity II players, along with 'Tula' from Relentless Kids and Bruno the random Frenchie and did bloody well to qualify 8th in the prelims!
Obviously when they lost games their heads were hung low, but they had nothing to be ashamed of, they went out there and represented the UK, they played hard and they played fair.
One of the things that made the biggest difference to their success was a day spent training with TBD's Coach, Paul gave up a day off, having prepared his own PSP Pro-Series winning team for most of the previous week, for what was in effect a pittance. With a PSP and NPPL title this season, this guy knows how to motivate players and just as importantly has a deep understanding of how the game works, how players work and how to impart his knowledge to the guys he is coaching. In his own words they were "70-75% of the Pro standard", praise indeed for players who had mostly never played anything more than D2 Millennium, some without any previous non-UK experience.
As for the direction this thread had gone in:
Yes, indeed it was, I have read your first post and understand the point you were making, and have to agree with what you were saying, but feel this was an inappropriate thread to post it in.
I think the second part of your post shows some regret for that, yes hackles have been got up and snarls and snaps exchanged, hopefully it will blow over and we can all be friends here again.
I believe that there is potential in the UK with to compete at the top level, I think it will take some proper investment of time, infrastructure and expertise in to the development of our player base to achieve that, we don't have anything approaching the resources or depth of pockets of the Russians, we don't have the trust fund kids of some (not all) of the US Pro-teams. To many players, competing a season in Europe is ruinous in terms of finances, relationships and work/leave time, let alone the extra expenses of a FULL SEASON in the US.
Last year the Nexus boys gave it their all for a 3rd place in Semi-Pro, playing hard close fought games in ridiculous heat and humidity, this year, as I understand it, they were unable to field a full team due to work and family commitments of some of the guys. Jason and Ash joined the Tontons and brought UK Pro-ball to the US, they both made a contribution and Jason was on a mission, he would have not have been out of place on the Pro-Field had the chance been them. I know we all hate the French, but everybody weighed in for them, they were short of coaches and pit crew and with a lot of English help they brought Cup Winners medals back!
Like I said, there is the potential, the circumstances have not been right!
Hopefully there will he more Brits about at Cup next year, sometimes it felt a bit quiet this time, maybe, we can drown out their snake coaches and beat them at their own game!
I think that, in one simple, beautiful sentence, sums up why things are the way they are.
Pete, you have authored an excellent post there and I pretty much agree with the majority of your sentiments and observations but whether or not my initial post was inappropriately positioned is something we may differ on; in fact, I believe it was perfectly placed and the only reason I can fathom you think it wasn't appropriate was you were maybe protecting the sensibilities of those people giving it the 'Yeeh hah, take it to the Yanks' bollocks ...
These guys need to be woken up as to the reality of the situation and what better place to do it than where they are indulging themselves?
The only thing we took to the Yanks was our hard earned money and our enthusiasm to play but is that something to get all excited about and give it the billy big u'n?
Nah, I don't think so Pete ... not by a long way mate.
I must at least thank you however for stating your agreement with my initial point, at least you have the balls to say what's on your mind amid the clamour of feigned disgust ......
Some of those people commenting in that thread literally have no idea how well the UK have done in the past and maybe this explains why they seemingly have no idea what they are talking about.
As for the line Jay [Buddha] picked up on above, you are right but sometimes in life Pete, you have to take control of the circumstances around you and make things happen and not just sit around back-slapping the mere appearance of one of our teams on foreign soil ... I wanna see us compete again at the top .... I don't wanna settle for delusional success as some of these guys are.
These guys need to be woken up as to the reality of the situation and what better place to do it than where they are indulging themselves?
The only thing we took to the Yanks was our hard earned money and our enthusiasm to play but is that something to get all excited about and give it the billy big u'n?
Nah, I don't think so Pete ... not by a long way mate.
I must at least thank you however for stating your agreement with my initial point, at least you have the balls to say what's on your mind amid the clamour of feigned disgust ......
Some of those people commenting in that thread literally have no idea how well the UK have done in the past and maybe this explains why they seemingly have no idea what they are talking about.
As for the line Jay [Buddha] picked up on above, you are right but sometimes in life Pete, you have to take control of the circumstances around you and make things happen and not just sit around back-slapping the mere appearance of one of our teams on foreign soil ... I wanna see us compete again at the top .... I don't wanna settle for delusional success as some of these guys are.
What makes great players? Is it determination and training? Pure skill coupled with the backing? 1 player in 10,000 making it through the fray? Can we just blame our population as an excuse for not turning out top level pros? If that's the case, we might as well pack in now........however from what has been said already, funding is the problem here, not talent. Thing is, companies cannot afford to sponsor more teams, they can barley support the ones they support at the moment. As a sport we're poor. No income from ticket sales, merchandise is only player based and no outside advertising etc etc......so where is this support money going to come from if that truly is the reason we can't compete?
Even if funding were to come through via some mystical source in the near future, where would it go to? The teams at the top of the UK scene? Do we need to amalgamate the current top level teams on our shores to produce a select few teams that could truly compete? Even so, imagine if we did succeed in producing potentially winning teams stateside; does this solve the problem in UK ball or attract more players to our sport? Probably not......we need to build a house from the foundations up, surely?
We need more support for the juniors in my opinion. How many teams can say that they take on brand new players under the age of 16? Not many, why? Too much hassle to train them up? They're playing for now, next month or this year's promotion slot.....we're all guilty of this. Training a newbie takes time, effort and dedication, not only from the junior involved, but the people around them within a team.
My guess is that hundreds of new players are slipping through our hands every year, simply because they don't find a team to train with or one who is willing to train them up from the bottom. They then slip back into the woods, or just fade out.
That's why I think it's more important to separate them until they reach an age where they can compete on a physical level with adults.....let them enjoy the game first, against people of a similar level and age; skill will come eventually, no need to force it. Then they have friends around them that also play which should keep them within the sport for longer. How do we do this? Have registered team lists and encourage those teams to have dedicated junior squads, playing in dedicated tournaments? Monthly training sessions specifically for kids at our well known fields?
There's no progression at the moment, you're either considered good and get picked up immediately or no one wants you.....there doesn't seem to be any middle ground for these kids or time for them to progress. God knows, I'm just brainstorming here, but without new blood and being able to keep new blood playing, we might as well all go home.....as it is that wide player base will free up the cash to get things rolling higher up the ladder, and until that time, hats off to the teams who are at the top of our UK scene, as it's all down to their own hard earned cash and effort that's got them to where they are now.
Even if funding were to come through via some mystical source in the near future, where would it go to? The teams at the top of the UK scene? Do we need to amalgamate the current top level teams on our shores to produce a select few teams that could truly compete? Even so, imagine if we did succeed in producing potentially winning teams stateside; does this solve the problem in UK ball or attract more players to our sport? Probably not......we need to build a house from the foundations up, surely?
We need more support for the juniors in my opinion. How many teams can say that they take on brand new players under the age of 16? Not many, why? Too much hassle to train them up? They're playing for now, next month or this year's promotion slot.....we're all guilty of this. Training a newbie takes time, effort and dedication, not only from the junior involved, but the people around them within a team.
My guess is that hundreds of new players are slipping through our hands every year, simply because they don't find a team to train with or one who is willing to train them up from the bottom. They then slip back into the woods, or just fade out.
That's why I think it's more important to separate them until they reach an age where they can compete on a physical level with adults.....let them enjoy the game first, against people of a similar level and age; skill will come eventually, no need to force it. Then they have friends around them that also play which should keep them within the sport for longer. How do we do this? Have registered team lists and encourage those teams to have dedicated junior squads, playing in dedicated tournaments? Monthly training sessions specifically for kids at our well known fields?
There's no progression at the moment, you're either considered good and get picked up immediately or no one wants you.....there doesn't seem to be any middle ground for these kids or time for them to progress. God knows, I'm just brainstorming here, but without new blood and being able to keep new blood playing, we might as well all go home.....as it is that wide player base will free up the cash to get things rolling higher up the ladder, and until that time, hats off to the teams who are at the top of our UK scene, as it's all down to their own hard earned cash and effort that's got them to where they are now.
Bang on the money Ainsley ..... I believe we have got the necessary players to populate at least 3 or 4 top teams if they are trained correctly and that as you suggest is where the problems lay.
Funding and some form of organized coherent structure for these players to filter though ... we have neither it seems.
Historically the vast majority of top team funding has come from sponsors but even our top team Nexus has to pay for their paint now and so what chance for others?
Not much I'm afraid, the financial climate has contracted to the point whereby paintball companies have reigned in sponsorship dollars leaving teams high and dry if they are waiting for any financial support.
It seems the only way people are gonna make it now is if they fund themselves which let's face it, is what the industry has been crying out for anyway.
Too many people have expected sponsorship when they've done naff all in terms of achievement and have subsequently made companies realise there is no effective return on that investment.
As for our top teams?
What have we got now - Nexus, Shock and Disruption ..... and not much else below from what I can tell in terms of pretenders to their throne ... it's a lean time thats for sure ... still, good post, a real good post.
Funding and some form of organized coherent structure for these players to filter though ... we have neither it seems.
Historically the vast majority of top team funding has come from sponsors but even our top team Nexus has to pay for their paint now and so what chance for others?
Not much I'm afraid, the financial climate has contracted to the point whereby paintball companies have reigned in sponsorship dollars leaving teams high and dry if they are waiting for any financial support.
It seems the only way people are gonna make it now is if they fund themselves which let's face it, is what the industry has been crying out for anyway.
Too many people have expected sponsorship when they've done naff all in terms of achievement and have subsequently made companies realise there is no effective return on that investment.
As for our top teams?
What have we got now - Nexus, Shock and Disruption ..... and not much else below from what I can tell in terms of pretenders to their throne ... it's a lean time thats for sure ... still, good post, a real good post.
Well over the last 3 years I have tried and bloody tried to get new players in and give up my time week in week out, for free, and posted every where I can to players of any size and age and level of play, to join in with my Team, but I still find it hard to get players!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am really fed up to the back teeth about this, but I will still try and try to get players to play our wonderful sport.
sometimes you lot don't know how much time and effort I put in to my team, again week in week out..........for the last 24 years..........and will continue to do so untill I get the Tigers back up there again.
Also I put in about £2000 a year into my players for paint and other bits like spares and pot etc.
So another year gone and again I have said on another post.......London Tigers looking for players for next season.......WHATEVER YOU LEVEL OF PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I got no response at all last month when I posted this up, so plaese don't say people are not bloody trying to get the brits back up to some where near the top.
Paintball is not my hobbie..............ITS MY LIFE
I am really fed up to the back teeth about this, but I will still try and try to get players to play our wonderful sport.
sometimes you lot don't know how much time and effort I put in to my team, again week in week out..........for the last 24 years..........and will continue to do so untill I get the Tigers back up there again.
Also I put in about £2000 a year into my players for paint and other bits like spares and pot etc.
So another year gone and again I have said on another post.......London Tigers looking for players for next season.......WHATEVER YOU LEVEL OF PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I got no response at all last month when I posted this up, so plaese don't say people are not bloody trying to get the brits back up to some where near the top.
Paintball is not my hobbie..............ITS MY LIFE
We need more people like you Twizz
to be honest If it wasn't for Twizz and my current captain / team owners I would be stuck in the purgatory of lower leauge paintball, its not hard to put it more effort, when there are people to push you,
young guys still need to push themselves, I can't beleive how frikking lazy paintballers my age are!
to be honest If it wasn't for Twizz and my current captain / team owners I would be stuck in the purgatory of lower leauge paintball, its not hard to put it more effort, when there are people to push you,
young guys still need to push themselves, I can't beleive how frikking lazy paintballers my age are!