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Woodland Events - A flash in the pan ? ..... [Poll Test]

ant290

BOOOOM!
May 15, 2007
605
155
78
Southampton
ant290.wixsite.com
It's paintball its not a sport and I doubt it ever will be. Because of this, people need to play for the love of the game not the deals or prizes that can be won imo.

Prizes just cause arguments and dirty play, I'd say we are better off without both.
In which case, your target market can never be that top percentile of teams, as they will look to find an event which offers them the best pay out.

That said, ukwm is a sell out event in sept... so clearly there is interest (or no real competitive alternative / not enough spaces) out there.
 

James ECI

UK Woodland Masters
Jul 31, 2007
2,352
693
148
Kent
In which case, your target market can never be that top percentile of teams, as they will look to find an event which offers them the best pay out.

That said, ukwm is a sell out event in sept... so clearly there is interest (or no real competitive alternative / not enough spaces) out there.
There was a series offering 500£ cash as first place, it didn't sell out a single event.

As for top percentile, see my previous post :)
 

H

Wizard, of sorts...
Feb 27, 2002
2,763
450
118
Nottingham, England
www.ministryofcake.net
I think the woodsball resurgence in general is not going anywhere. I have concerns about the fragility of the UK market. I love the UKWM and the guys behind it and will continue to support their events. But I do wish there were more events further north. There been attempts but the tourney scene is just so engrained into the sup‘air way of things it’s been difficult to get traction with the CPPS doing such a great job in the region.
 

ant290

BOOOOM!
May 15, 2007
605
155
78
Southampton
ant290.wixsite.com
There was a series offering 500£ cash as first place, it didn't sell out a single event.

As for top percentile, see my previous post :)
I hit post too slowly :p

I don't know that money is maybe what I mean,

could winning an event get you into the next for free? ... could winning the season get you a wildcard spot playing in Europe?

..............
Where are teams going that start up around woodland events? are they going on to play CPPS or is there something else that they are doing?
 

Robbo

Owner of this website
Jul 5, 2001
13,114
2,157
448
London
www.p8ntballer.com
Sure, a segment of the woodland tourney scene is the old farts but you’re completely wrong if you think that’s all there is.

H, I never said, nor did I think the resurgence was entirely a derivative of the old guard but without these older players, I doubt there would have been such a resurgence mate.

Sooner or later, woodland tournaments will have to stand on their own two feet - this means the old guard will play a crucial role in the development of this woodland event renaissance.
I've already advised Twizz he has free run of p8ntballer inasmuch as he can advertise, promote, whatever he wants to do, free of charge.
If p8ntballer.com can't help the likes of Twizz, James, Dave, Ged and Nicky T then we really don't deserve to be here …...

Let's face it, the major part of our present industry started playing in the woods and so this movement has its roots firmly entrenched in the woods of yesterday.
I've asked my brother to do an article about Ged and Nicky Truter's event at Bassets Pole last weekend and so I'll be interested to read what he says as he played for the Turks at that event.
 
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olliewidd

Well-Known Member
Jul 5, 2012
1,557
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Woodland based tournament has saved a lot of younger players from early retirement in my opinion. Whilst CPPS is exceptionally well run and excellent value for money the very nature of split deck x ball takes its toll. I stopped playing air ball back in 2015 after just 3 years of playing it because I was tired of pouring money into something that have such little reward. Sometimes a game would last 30 seconds and then I'd be screaming around trying to get pots refilled, air tanks filled, wiped down and then back onto the field before the other team finished their game. By the end of the day I'd feel exhausted and spent and I didn't see the value of spending all that money to go home feeling like ****e. The nitro fast nature of the game killed the fun of it for me.
Had the UKWM not been there I'd very likely have stopped playing altogether but fortunately the woodland events gave me exactly the type of paintball I wanted. The competition is stiff and it becomes very much a thinking mans game. No longer do I have to run around like a lunatic trying to get my kit sorted in under a minute to get back onto the field. The cost, for me, is far more than it was fot CPPS (purely because of travelling distance) buy I'm happy to pay it because the experience is so good. It doesn't matter if we win or get completely smashed in, I still walk away with a smile on my face.

What Dave, Twizz and James have built had been nothing less than astounding and I've seen multiple new teams start up purely to compete in tournament woodsball. I've also seen numerous airball teams make the transition across. The format provides a competitive but ultimately enjoyable day that gives the best bang for you buck in the UK. I'll probably play airball again at some point but I'll never enjoy it as much as in the woods.
 
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olliewidd

Well-Known Member
Jul 5, 2012
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I think it's also worthwhile noting that the classic/woodsball us growing at a rapid rate. The NXL now hosts a woodsball/classic format. The ICC sold out in 20 minutes or something ridiculous. Nearly all electronic markers made today now come with a classic format setting. Let's face it, companies like Planet and Shocker wouldn't be pumping money, time and resources into producing mechanical markers if this was a mere flash in the pan. Those markers are being designed specifically for woodsball/classic series, not for airball. That's a very positive sign.

We just need to have a little bit of faith and not shoot something dead before its grown properly because of fears that it might not work out. Ride it till the wheels fall off and enjoy the times it gives. That's what this is all about, enjoyment, and I think people pump too much energy and attention into the what ifs and maybes rather than just enjoying what we have right now. Success breeds success and if it's successful now it'll be successful later so long as we don't butcher it out of fear.
 
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Dave S ECI

ECI + HFT
Jul 17, 2001
1,040
148
88
53rd and 3rd
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As James said, for the UKWM to be in season 6 suggests this isn't a flash in the pan in the UK.

What I do think needs to happen (and what I said in 2014 at the original "old school 7 man" event) is that there needs to be more grass roots woodsball - a site that puts on an event for 6-8 teams at a time on one field. Smaller money to be had but also less effort and investment to make it happen. I can remember the days when PGi had so many smaller woods events advertised - i'm sure there was a regular 3 man in Ruislip! I think coming in to try and run events for 100+ players is great but it takes time to build into those numbers, just like we have seen with the UKWM over time.

Beyond that, I feel people are waking up to the need to have multiple formats of paintball - it's what keeps people engaged from cradle to grave (myself included)