Image: POV: Thinking I'm Pro at my local site, at Quex Park, Birchington, Kent, 2014

"The Sideline" as I've called the site/blog, is something new, an experiment. One I hope will be a success, as I'd love to keep doing it.

This is a way for me to write about and stash away my paintball experiences, and in  doing so share them with others. I'm a Media guy, so my usual place on the paintball field, is on the Sideline. For that reason I'd love to think I've been really clever naming this blog, I wonder how many would agree though. 

I'm writing this first post from Wetherspoons, a classy environment I know. I have been thinking about starting a "blog" for some time, but have always backed out of the idea for a few different reasons. Writing has been something I've dabbled with in the past. Most notably producing articles for the online forums of sim F1 racing groups I was part of, which is what I was doing throughout my adolescence, before discovering paintball when I started at University.

I've met some incredible people playing paintball, and as I have said when interviewed recently on The Banana Bus Podcast, for me, it's what keeps me involved and around. The friendship and comradery is something I think is incredibly unique to our sport.

On a personal level, I met my closest friends playing paintball and it has to a large extent moulded me as a person and has provided experiences and opportunities I would have otherwise never had. Outside of that, I see groups of people coming together to share passion and excitement for the same activity that otherwise would have not existed.

Image: The CCCU Zombies - Student Cup 2015

This doesn't really have an aim, or an objective. Nor a specific focus on any particular part of the game. I have no idea whether this will be interesting, engaging, any of those things really. I hope it will be, as sharing stories is a big part of living and something I enjoy greatly.

I missed the glory days of print paintball media. Magazines were huge in the 90s and early 2000s and the large majority, in both the US and the UK, have sadly disappeared as the media world has digitised with the internet. There are a few still around, including the UK's own 'Paintball Magazine' which Martello works tirelessly to keep alive and does an amazing job doing so.

With the recent growth of 10-man, and the classic format being as popular as it is, the great players from decades past are returning to the field. With this, I personally believe and truly hope there is also going to be a resurgence in players' interest in print media. Whether that be a full-blown magazine I don't know - but it has slowly already started to happen. Pre-Covid the creators of some of the classic American paintball magazines produced a book called F8MOUS, which was crowd funded by the community. I backed out on the simple question of the cost of worldwide shipping, which looking back was the most ridiculous decision and a mistake I refuse to make again. Alex Fraige of Dynasty has recently announced "Great American Paintball". A full magazine (or book as he describes it) complete with photos and articles from some of the best and most talented in the American Game. Whilst expensive, I've subscribed and saw recently the first edition has gone to print and I couldn't be more excited to receive my copy. 

Through my media work over the years, I've had the chance to travel to multiple countries in Europe as well as the US. UK venues include Mayhem Essex, Skirmish Nottingham, Bristol Activity Centre and Holmbush. Not forgetting the picturesque town of Penkridge, Staffordshire, the Home of the UK's CPPS.