"Most people who've been paintballing will have experienced the woodland-based form of it, where you hide out in the forest military-style. This Rambo-like paramilitary stereotype is very far from professional paintball. But I'd never knock woodland-based paintballing because it's how most people get introduced to it and it is lots of fun.
Tournament paintball - or speedball - is played in a 60 by 40 metre netted arena with corridors for spectators to view the game. The arena is full of big, inflatable obstacles and the aim of the game is to capture the flag from the centre of the arena and take it over to the opponent team's home base. However, once someone's marked (with paint), they're out of the game and can't help their team fulfil the mission.
There are at least seven in a team and, instead of using military camouflage, we wear bright, colourful gear like skateboarders.
Speedball is a lot faster than the woodland version, where you lurk around in the undergrowth trying not to be spotted. Some games at tournament level don't even last a minute because the race is always on to capture the flag - you can't hide behind the inflatable obstacles for ages!
Our centre at the Vaynol Estate is open for everyone over 12 years old and we have facilities for disabled people in Mona, Anglesey.
You don't necessarily have to be physically fast or agile to be good at speedball, as long as you're skilful. Mental agility, tactical awareness and reasoning is as important as swiftness, if not more so.
If you get shot at very close range then it might leave a bruise, but everyone wears chest and back protectors and a head shield with goggles.
Speed ball was the fastest growing sport in the USA in 2004 and it will be an exhibition sport in the next Olympic Games. So we're going to set up a Welsh league, mostly of teams based in North Wales to begin with. We're then looking to select players for a brand new Wales paintballing team which will be based here.
We'd like to compete in the Six Nations competition with England, Ireland, Scotland, France and Germany.
So come on, you never know how good you might be. And if you are any good, you might just make it onto the Welsh team and become an international player."
your comments
Alex Heath from Worcester
Have disabilities myself and play sup-air. I have played various leagues and played for a couple of teams, but never got very far due to their concerns for my health. I am now in the process of starting a disabled paintball players team for anyone with disabilities who wish to play at all levels of the sport. We have a training facility we can make use of. Long term aims are to promote disabled paintballing, start a disability league and try to get disabled players into the Pro series.
Wed May 6 09:44:43 2009
James Bedford, Surrey, UK
There are leagues in the UK guys. Check out the NSPL website for one.
Thu Dec 11 09:51:41 2008
Iain Wise, Pontypridd
I hope there will be a paintball league in Wales or the UK soon. I love paintballing.
Thu Oct 2 09:53:41 2008
Jim Chapman Holywell
Well, a few months in and things are coming together now. Fantastic support from The Druids, many thanks lads. Would like to see more people coming along to share in the fun of speedball. Would like to organise a mini tournament so don't hold back, get in touch.
Mon Sep 29 09:38:34 2008
Jim Chapman Holywell
I have a new start up paintball site and the main game is speedball. I think it's great that you've brought the game to wales and I hope i can help promote it too. Hopefully we get people who want to form a team here. From little acorns!
Wed Jul 9 14:23:50 2008
Huw,Bridgend
We've been playing paintball for many years now (started as Mostley Harmless-now called MH2-Llanfair PG). there are NO Welsh leagues to speak of-we have to travel for competition. We play the NSPL and Koth series with another team called Cardiff XM7-and we also play the odd large event. There's also
a well established team called NO LIMIT-Bridgend who play the PA national league.
Hey,you never know-we might play against you guys one day!-all the best in setting a Welsh league up - perhaps there are enough teams interested now (we've tried in the past-before the days of the wonderfull internet).
Wed May 24 11:14:09 2006
Tony
Hi guys,
Check out the new PaintballWales.com "Snowdonia" site opening in April 2006. It is ideally situated along the A4242 just past the "Bethel / Ty Mawr Tea Rooms" roundabout towards Llanberis, on the beautiful Snowdonia National Park.
Mon Mar 27 12:37:10 2006
Rhys Owen from Bangor
Me 30 other people went down to the Angelsey paintballing centre and it was mint, definitely recomend it to anyone and were gunna be back soon.
Fri Dec 16 13:51:33 2005
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Tony Graham Seguí from Bangor is originally from Gibraltar but fell in love with NW Wales after university and has never left. He now wants to share his passion with the area - and with all of Wales.
