Over the many years I've been in paintball I've changed from a bright starry-eyed young evangelist to a cynical old ex-player - all down to the attitude of both the majority of the players and a few people in the industry. We all know this is an expensive sport and we can't really blame people for trying to get their playing cheaper, and many of us know that some traders have quite a high margin on the stuff they sell/services they provide. But not all people providing goods or services are ripping customers off - you can only really judge if you understand ALL the costs, which most don't. And the expectations of many players are insane.
A little lesson for life for all of you out there - you have to expect to pay, both financially and in lifestyle, for success.
Teams like Nexus have earned their sponsorship, gods have they earned it! They work very hard, as Robbo and Ledz said their relationships have suffered, every penny they have & more has been invested in their sport. They don't have any free weekends to go & visit relatives, or have a day out with the wife/girlfriend, or just relax; they are training if they aren't playing. This isn't just me repeating what Robbo & Ledz have said - I know some of these guys quite well and this is based on MY knowledge of them. Then you see "Sunday player" at a tournament whining because his "sponsor" has only given his team 10 free cases of paint that month when the team has played one event and maybe scrimmaged one other weekend, they are up until 2.00am partying the night before playing, they expect to take their families to 'ball for a weekend out. They expect a very high standard of facilities, then moan that they have to pay more. They expect to be treated like professional sportsmen but won't behave like it or show the committment. And when it comes to putting their hands in their pockets.........
Many of you out there know me, and know that I have done my best over the years to help anyone at any level, all the way from a team at their first tournament to the top pros. I'll drive for hours at my own expense (if I actually have the money!) to help friends out. I'll lend my kit to people if I'm not using it. Then I get some guy I know reasonably well, not a particular friend or anything, EXPECTING me to treat an injury they've picked up (usually because they aren't fit, or haven't warmed up) for free then SULK when I say I will charge for doing something which is how I earn my living. I know this is something personal to me but in my mind it sums up the attitude of today's hobby 'baller - that the world owes them a living and free play. Wel, why the fcuk should I give my (very expensively obtained) skills for free? Why should a paint supplier give paint to a team that may or may not get third or fourth in the middle division of a domestic tournament?
You don't seem to get this attitude from most of the US players & teams, or many of the mainland Euro guys - what is it about UK 'ballers?
I'll still help out people at all levels as much as I can, as I'm a hopeless case addicted to the sport & people in it. But I've come so very close the last few months to packing it all in & not bothering to even keep up with what's going on let alone go to tourneys due to the attitude of some people out there.
Pete, take what Jose D says at face value - I know him quite well & he's not the kind to bullsh*t or manipulate (unless it's obvious!) or support people even friends if he diesn't agree with something. We must find time for a chat at CC
