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A cry of 'help' from the NXL .....

Robbo

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It's not often that we get a chance to contribute in the setting up of a new league in Europe but that's what this post is all about - the guys from the NXL want your opinion and/or suggestions on how best to set up the new NXL that's being imported from the US and A ....
The message is from Ledzy of Planet Eclipse and so thanks to him for sending it over.

Below are the Three Stooges who will oversee the transition from MS to NXL and do their best to hit the ground running but they need help .... your help if you're willing and able.

From left to right, Barry Fuggle [director of the Millennium Series, Tommy Cole [NXL] and Steve Baldwin [Director of Millennium Series] ....

Below is all the information you're going to need and so, please start reading guys ....

Robbo


NXL.jpg


High-level tournament paintball is about to go through another big shake-up in Europe, which can always give players cause for concern and it is very easy to fall into the trap of only seeing the negatives - the doom and the gloom. But I genuinely think this new-dawn for European tournament paintball will be a good thing for teams and players.


I’ve been friends with Tom Cole (President of the NXL) for many, many years - ever since his time captaining Bad Company and working for Kingman (Spyder). Over the years we’ve chatted openly about paintball and the good, the bad and the ugly it can often bring. Tom has always been open to my ideas and likewise I have always listened to his often very insightful views of paintball, both past and present. Not only is Tom someone in the industry that I trust, but I also consider him a friend.

Since the NXL announced that they are coming to Europe (and a little before that) Tom and I have been chatting about what the NXL can bring to the table to rejuvenate the European high-level tournament scene. He had some ideas that I didn’t think would sit well with a lot of the European teams and equally some ideas that I thought they would love, so this was a great starting place.

We recently had one of our chats and he’s keen to listen and make contact with as many teams, players, managers and potential sponsors as possible. Tom wants to understand what makes Europe different. What is it that we want out of a tournament series. Whether we like the limited paint format or not. What venues/countries we’d like to play in and which ones to avoid. And much more. The more we talked the more I felt that Tom and the NXL really want to connect with the players, which can only be a good thing if you ask me. Since the announcement was made I’ve spoken to numerous players and managers who all have concerns, and rightly so. Change can be a scary thing. But Tom wants everyone to know that he’s here to listen. He isn’t going to promise he will action all of your suggestions, but I know him pretty well and he genuinely does listen, so if something makes sense and will help them make things better, and it is possible, he will try to action it.


I’m all for helping make things better, so I said I’d get involved by simply encouraging the players, owners, managers and vendors to speak to Tom directly and give him suggestions of how to make NXL Europe the best circuit ever. This is YOU by the way.
So if you are thinking of playing the NXL Europe circuit next year and have concerns, ideas or suggestions to help them to make it work simply email Tom directly: tom@xball.com

If you don’t feel you can speak to Tom directly, for whatever reason, you can just email me and I will pass your thoughts over to Tom anonymously – if they’re great ideas I’ll just say they are mine ;-). Fire away: ledz@planeteclipse.com

Tom is saying “TALK TO ME” so take this opportunity and tell him your ideas, your fears, your goals. Why you didn’t play the Millennium and what will make you consider playing, or not playing, the NXL Europe series.

This is your chance to have your say. So take it!

Ledzy [Planet]
 

Robbo

Owner of this website
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Missy, please forgive my memory which has just been jogged seeing your name up here - I'll sort my reply out today.

I got in touch with Tommy Cole re some of the changes we think might prove advantageous to players over here in Europe.
The NXL [Europe] are going to host 7-man as an option for Euro teams just like the NXL does with 10-man over in the US.

They started the 10-man option a few years back and now the World Cup has 40 teams entered which at the very least says a lot in how the US players seem to want change.

Tommy went on to say that 'we can't really change too much too fast' ... and I think that's a fair comment bearing in mind how many teams are signed up for 10-man World Cup because he needs to maintain stability but at the same time he can't really ignore the fact that a lot of players, both here and there seem to be voicing the need for change ... there are some obvious hurdles to a wholesale change-over to 7 or 10 man but none that could prove prohibitive.

He also mentioned that he was acutely aware that most tourney ballers over here might not have heard too much about him and might question his character/experience - that's easily remedied, I'll post something up later today concerning Tommy's experience and standing in our sport.

Over & Out .....
 

Robbo

Owner of this website
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As promised, I said I’d write a bit about Tommy Cole and his suitability in bringing the NXL over to our shores to replace our Millennium Series.

Exporting the NXL to mainland Europe requires some expertise/experience not least because the NXL have a tough act to follow.

There will be some Euros who may cheer upon hearing the Millennium is to be replaced but those who do are nitwits - nevertheless, this doesn’t mean the NXL will get the green-light from everyone because they’re an untried package this side of the pond.
All we can go on is how the NXL performs Stateside, and also the character of the men who seek to export their league over here.

Tommy has been part of the management of the NXL for a few years and so is extremely well-placed to oversee its integration into the European Tournament leagues.

I’m damned sure Tommy knows he has to hit the ground running with his inaugural NXL but he’s got the necessary template with which to succeed.
There is no doubt the NXL is the premiere league Stateside and so if he follows the same blueprint over here, I think we’ll be in safe hands.
When I started playing pro in the US in 94, Tommy was the captain and inspiration behind a US pro-team of yesteryear entitled Bad Company [nothing to do with the UK’s Bad Company] and so I was playing against him for many years.


And although Tommy is a friend, I won’t be telling everyone he’s a great guy, blah, blah, blah because if he ends up fuhking it right up over here, I’m gonna look a right twat, and so whatever I say about him, I hope you can trust.

I seem to remember him writing for PGi [Paintball Games International] many years back and so it’s not as if he’s a newcomer to these shores, he’s also played many events over here in Europe.

Essentially, he’s the typical, annoying sod that everyone likes, in fact, I’ve never heard one bad word said against him over the years which is remarkable seeing as the type of industry we’re in.

As for his experience?
He holds all the required badges, he was a successful player and Captain on one of the Top US pro teams [BC] - And he navigates the politics of playing, and working in our industry extremely well mainly because he never upsets anybody.
And it’s not as if he’s some namby-pamby tree-hugger, he just seems to go through life attracting no confrontation whatsoever … It’s a character trait I’ve always been envious of but never managed to adopt- basically, he’s the Richie Cunningham of paintball ….

If you were to go back a few years and held a vote as to who were the nicest people in our sport, Tommy would undoubtedly get the nod from most - I’m not suggesting he’d win it outright but he would be in the top five that’s for sure.
Tommy isn’t your normal brash, loud Yank sportsman whooping it up and smack-talking BS etc ….. he’s more reserved and well-mannered – And If I were asked to describe him, I’d have to say he comes across as a typical Englishman …. Let’s face it, no greater accolade can a man have …. :):)

As you may have concluded when reading this, he’s one of the world’s good guys … nuff said !!

Good Luck Tommy !!!
 

onasilverbike

I'm a country member!
I'll second what Pete says, Tom is someone you can have a conversation with and he listens to what you have to say without dismissing your input off hand or citing a million reasons why it can't be done. If you criticise something about an NXL event he will explain why they have had to do it that way.

NXL have a habit of getting the best people they can to get things done!
 

Robbo

Owner of this website
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I’ll add one more thing to my appraisal of Tommy Cole, if you want to see his face change from pale to blushed, just ask him what his thoughts are on UK elevators ......
There are not many things in paintball that really impress me but I've got a lot of respect for Tommy and his proclivity for the English elevator .... he's the man !!