Heartbreakers Paintball Team goes a mile to show their love!

Hans


Team Captain, Kenny Leow

Yazid

Clair Laire Faire, Derek

They might be known as the Heartbreakers but these boys sure do know how to show their love! Inspired by Team Captain Kenny Leow, the team decided to go for a day out not at the regular paintball field but to Woodlands Bloodbank... yes, to donate blood. A unique outing I must say. On why the team decided "to give" instead of "to inflict", Kenny exclaimed: "This is a good opportunity for everyone to come together and contribute to the society, this is for a good cause!" And yes, we do agree. Perhaps the Heartbreakers can initiate a blood donation drive for the local paintball community to showcase the warmth and love amongst the local players.

Having won the 2011 Overall Novice Division Champion, the Heartbreakers is one of Singapore's most promising paintball team. The team meets up regularly at sport stadium for core exercises such as long duration exercises with short explosive drills. When asked about promoting to the Open Division, Kelly exclaimed that something is in the works and they will soon be playing in the higher divisions. Preparations are underway to move to the big stage.

We wish them all the best and hope that every team in Singapore can follow this healthy and meaningful trend!

Div 4, Div 3, Div 2, Div 1, where do I belong?

I have been asked this question twice this week, so I thought perhaps I can blog about this, so that more people can say the same thing whenever they are posed with this question. I will introduce by saying that there are four divisions in the regional league. Having watched BPL soccer, it is not tough to relate this divisional status to many people. If your team is in Division 4, you will need to work your way up the ranks to reach Division 1 and then to the premiere league.

How different is paintball? To be honest, anyone can be as good as anyone in paintball. Meaning, you can just pick up paintball last weekend and start to formed a team and call yourself a division 1 team. Nobody is going to stop you from doing that... just get ready for the bruises. Teams will still play you and you will also get the biggest shock of your life.

There are paintball leagues in Malaysia that has a promotional format. Meaning if your team do well the entire season and clinch a few finishes on the podium, there could be a likelihood that you will be "promoted" to the higher division upon the request of the organizers. But this is not the case for all paintball tournaments. I have seen a Division 1 player playing for a Division 3 team and went on to win medals and nobody questioned about eligibility. I have seen a few (and I quote again, a few) Division 2 players playing for a Division 3 team and yes, nobody questioned anything. I have recently seen a ex-Division 1 player who guest for a new Division 4 team!!! So in summary, you can play in any division that you wish to. However, not all leagues are the same. My-NPL for example, do not allow players from higher division to play in the lower divisions.

As a guide, here it goes (based on the Malaysia Paintball Official Circuit, MPOC):

Division 4 - Usually for newbies who just picked up paintball using housed mechanical markers. Organizers will provide markers for the tournament but you can also use your own. Personal marker accessories such as loader, barrel and tanks are allowed. M5 format (5 versus 5)

Division 3 - Participants will need to have their own personal marker and accessories. Games will be played as M5 format. Mode of fire will be semi automatic with rate of fire capped at 15 balls per sec.

Division 2 - Same format as Division 3 except for a change in the mode of fire, which is ramping mode capped at 15 balls per sec.

Division 1 - Same as Division 2 except for X ball format (some refer it as the M7 or P7 format) in a race to 3 game. Time duration is 10 mins. A 2 mins game interval for every game where players exit the field to top up gas, paintballs, wipe clean, etc. For this division, you will need a good coach and 3 crews who can assist to coach from the sidelines.

There are a few Singapore based teams who are playing in the Malaysia paintball scene and they are:

MPOC - Red Sevens Division 3

MPOC - Team Damnation Division 3

My-NPL - Karma Division 4

My-NPL - Seekers Division 4

In addition to the above teams, the following teams will be participating in this year's Paintball World Cup Asia 2009:

WCA - United Nations

WCA - Contract Killers Division 4

WCA - Red West Division 4

How is it affecting Singapore paintball?

Foods for thought... recently, there has been a calling for a unified federation for paintball in Malaysia. Basically, it is a recognized federation with sole purpose of promoting and developing paintball in Malaysia. This federation will be recognized by the National Sports Council and eventually a mainstream sports in Malaysia which youths can participate the sport in school and continue to play the game when they are into their adulthood while participating in what we call "THE" recognized national competition...

When it comes to deciding who should run this unified federation, everyone has their own personal view. BUT, personally, I think the answer is pretty clear. The federation should be run by the people who has brought Malaysia paintball to where it is today. To be honest, I am really happy for all Malaysian paintballers and paintball in Malaysia. With the recognition of paintball as a mainstream sport across the region, I am hoping that Singapore governing authorities can cut the red tape for our local paintballers to participate this sport in accordance to how it is done internationally, in this case, 1) paintball marker possession similar to a sporting equipment 2) declassification of paintball marker from the firearms act.

Last year, there was a tournament that was organized by a Malaysian organization known as the MPA (details of the tournament, Flora Festival), to be really honest, it is one of the most glamourous event that I have ever attended, there were 4 professional teams, there were hovercrafts shooting confetit in the air during the opening ceremony, there was a band playing music during the teams march pass, there was a stadium that was cater for this event. The food that was served throughout tournament days is free (seafood dinner, BBQ dinner, buffet breakfast, etc), the accomodation was free, the travel expenses (ferry and bus tickets) were free, we were playing with new JT bunkers covered by new professional paintball nettings and even the paintballs were free (we were given 5 boxes of paintballs). All we need to do is to show up for the event! What a good deal for any paintball team!!! The only thing about this tournament was that no one knew who the organizing committee was. I mean of course, we had to ask around... but the only reply that we got was "Its the MPA". I mean what more can I ask for when the event is 100% totally free! So we didnt really pursue it...

Please dont get me wrong, I am not saying that this event is not good or anything but in fact, it is one of the most organized tournament that I have ever attended. The organization of the event was fantastic, we even have a liaison leader who will cater to any of our queries, and show us around the place...

I was told that this organization apply for some government grant and was given loads of money to organize this event. I am not surprised given that the Malaysia government and the state government are fully behind this sport. But honestly, that was also the last time that I have heard from the MPA. Rumours had it that its a one off event...

With the recent "hoohaa" about a National Federation for paintball in Malaysia, one of the main focus will surely be the fundings and recognition from government. Surely, I would like to see the people who are driving paintball to get this funding because it is what they deserved for putting in the effort to plan, organize, develop and promote the sports in Malaysia. But I would also like to see that this funding is put into good use in driving for a common regional body who can not only promote paintball in Malaysia but also be a driving force for paintball in Asia. Some suggestions perhaps:

1) Statistics research - Research are important. Its the basis of putting everything that is wrong to right. A good research for paintball can cover areas such as statistics research for paintball safety. Not only will this research be used by paintball association or bodies across the region to develop paintball in their respective countries. But most importantly, it is backed by a registered, recongized and reputable paintball body that can be recognized by the local government.

2) Coaching aids - While majority of the paintballers I know learnt their skills from a fellow paintballer or watching videos on the internet. A structure paintball coaching aid is need to ensure that the fundamentals of paintball coaching is recognized. Yes, it takes a lot of time to come up with this coaching aid but it is also a piece of good material to get most if not all of the people doing the right thing.

3) Good refereeing body - This has always been the toughest to achieve. A good league can only be consider good if there is a good governing body for refeering and continuous development of referees in the region.

4) National representation - As per any team sports, there is always a national representation, in this case refers as a national team. The national team should only comprised of paintballers from the respective country based on their nationality. All paintballers know that there is no such thing as a national team but there are more pros than cons to forming one. With a national body, the association of the respective country is responsible for developing such a team and thus the due recognition from the paintball community, clubs and teams. The national body will also be able to lobby support from their respective sports council when it comes to funding the national team. National trials and selection can also be formulated. To continue developing the national team, the association is responsible for youth developments and awareness. So when will this national competition be held? Well... the World Cup perhaps? Let's put it this way... any good paintballers who already have a team will be playing in the World Cup. So they will be there anyway... a separate tournament in the World Cup where only national representative can play to represent their countries can help to determine the regional powers and grow the sport in the region. This could be done in a race to 2 or 3 format X ball style. This is nothing new as there are seperate tournaments in the Millenium competitions too, like the Activision Cup, the Intercontinental Cup, etc. The idea of formulating this tournament is to get the national bodies to be involved thus giving the sport the recognition it deserved.

I am hoping for more paintball awareness... more awareness means that paintball is more recognized in the region. One day, we will all hope for reply like this...

A: I play paintball...

B: Woah...I have heard of that... tell me more

instead of

A: I play paintball

B: Ohhh...pinpall

or

A: I play paintball

B: Ohhh...very painful leh!!! and expensive and I got no army uniform to play in.

or

A: I play paintball

B: What is that?

As the great man says: SOKONG SOKONG!!! from the Singapoeans!

World Games 2009/ Asia Paintball Invitational Tournament 2009 Results

World Games 2009 Paintball Demonstration Event

Champion - Team Germany, RAMSTEIN INSTINCT

1st Runners Up - Team Australia, SWAT

2nd Runners Up - Team Iran, DATIS

3rd Runners Up - Team Japan, KU

Other participating teams:

Chinese Taipei (STORM), Malaysia (DELTA ROVERS), Singapore (RED SEVENS), Canada (INCARNATE), Taiwan (DANGEROUS POWER), Taiwan (DYNAMICS), Taiwan (YU SHAN HIGH FORMOSA), Taiwan (ZHEN CHUAN), Taiwan (KAO HSIUNG HIGH)

Its CONFIRMED! We are going to Taiwan...

Its confirmed that Red Sevens will be participating in the 2nd Asia Paintball Invitational Tournament (APIT) held in Kao Hsiung, Taiwan from 16 - 20 July 2009. The team will spend 1 week in Taiwan, 2 more days from last year's trip. This tournament has the support of the Organizing Committee of the World Games 2009. Kao Hsiung, which is the host city will see athletes coming from around the world to witness this event. Red Sevens might spend some time in the city and watch some world class events. Paintball teams from Thailand, Japan, Australia and possibly a UAE team will be at the APIT too.

We will also take this chance to meet up with our friends from Taiwan. This tournament will be played in X-ball style, 20 mins game, 2 mins rest in between games with a race to 3 games. This would mean that players will need to be a lot faster when podding and movement up the bunkers. Through this trip, we hope to learn from some of the best in the world and surely placing Singapore as a representative in the world stage.

Team Lineup: Seburo, Elle, The One, King, Edi and Yuan.

Paintball in the Olympics? No, its the World Games 2009

This topic has already been discussed over and over and over again...its almost close to beating the dead horse. But somehow, this question of whether paintball will ever make it to the Olympics always linger at the back of our mind. As a paintballer, it is my wildest dream to see paintball being featured as one of the sporting event in the Olympics...hey, as one of the most popular played games in the US, paintball surely deserve some standing in the international scene. So why isn't paintball an Olympic event? Here's why:

To qualify as an Olympic event, you will need to have the support of many, many, many countries, 75 countries to be exact. Meaning, you will need to have at least 75 countries playing the game, not only that, these countries will need to have a sound paintball association under the close monitor of their respective sports council in the promotion of the game to the community. Community games in the case, refers to properly run tournaments, games for all levels and age group. You will also need to have a national body from the respective countries coming together to form tournaments played by different countries. These national bodies will have to be recognized and pledged to the even bigger body, the world body who dictates the development of the sport. To illustrate my point, we will use soccer in Singapore. There is our local soccer league, the S-league who is supported by the Football Assocation of Singapore, FAS, who then selects a national team from the players from the S-league. And call them the national representative. FAS is affliated to Asia Football Confederation (AFC) who is recognized by the Asia countries as the overall body who is developing soccer in Asia. AFC is the affiliated to FIFA which is the world governing body, which is why we have the World Cup. Lots of ranks, lots of associations, lots of players, lots of support. Paintball? I am not trying to be mean and I love the game, I am a full time paintball promoter...but HAHA. So that's how far we are. To put this idea across, maybe not in my lifetime. Bowling is not an Olympic sport....so where do we stand? I don't know.

So where do we go from here? Many people classified paintball as an extreme sport. So is paintball an extreme sport? Yes, its extreme to some extend...(sounds funny, I know)...its fast, its aggressive, its everything you need to know about being extreme...but is it an extreme sport? No...why? because extreme sports are all participated by individual....see? Biking, skateboarding, blading, motorcross....so we are team work, communication, hmmmm...oh..team vs individual. So we are not so extreme afterall. I would like to see paintball being an extreme team sport....maybe not in the East...but if Malaysia is organizing another round of ESPN Extreme Sport Event...please let paintball in. You are the closest that we can get.

So no more Olympics, no more Extreme Games...so where is paintball going? Ever heard of the World Games? The World Games is a sport event that has all the sport that Olympics doesnt. So is it still recognized by any international body? You bet...the next World Games will be in Taiwan, Kao Hsiung in 2009. The bad news, paintball is not one of the selected sport. The good news, paintball could be selected to be a demonstration sport in World Games 2009. In order for that to happen, paintball teams from around the region are invited to Taiwan by the Kao Hsiung organizing committee to showcase paintball as a possible demonstration game during the World Games from 12 - 14 Dec 2008. Yes, Singapore is included. Red Sevens, Singapore First Paintball Team is invited by our Taiwan partners to be part of this revolutionary move for paintball. This could well change how paintball is perceive in the World!!! Backed by Ulrich, the Head Referee from the Millenium Series and Junaidi, the Head Referee for the Asia World Cup 2006, 2007 and 2008. This event is a significant event. Very significant...

Paintball in the Olympics? I see the light...

Singapore's First All-Female Team

Yes, Femmes de Fatale, Team Destiny... big names in the paintball industry. All-Female teams in the US plying their trade in the man's league.

Who says girls cant play paintball? To set the record straight, there is no gender difference when it comes to paintballing, all you need to do is to squeeze the trigger and you can be as good as your opponent. Ladies and gentlemen...may I present to you Singapore's First All-Female Team, Team Atrox.

We have heard of many All-Female Teams in Malaysia, teams such as Tornado Angels, Venus, Sogo Ballbusters, etc. They are all very good teams. While this is nothing new to form an All-Female team in Malaysia, it is certainly something worth mentioning in Singapore. Hey...All-Female team...interesting. Surely the talk of the town if there is a media pitch to this in 2009 when the SPNS season starts again.

It used to be a few female players in the scene then slowly more and more female players. Guys...who say paintball is a dangerous game...hmmm, think again. Elle would most probably be the first Singapore female player to play competitive paintball in Malaysia...she gets some attention when teams are playing against us, like when we were in Penang playing in last year MPOC, she is like the talk of the town, and of course, a column in the Penang newspaper talking about paintball in Singapore. So female players do get some attention afterall.

In the 2nd Leg of MPOC, there was PSG Charlie, a group of pinoy expats which fielded a full female team...nice on the outside, aggressive on the inside. They made it to the 2nd round of the competition. I would love to see a match between PSG Charlie and Team Atrox as this would be very interesting for Singapore paintball. Leading the team is none other than Grimreaper. Having played in all 3 legs of the SPNS, 1 leg of MPOC and a few other sunday league tourney, she is the perfect choice in sharing her experience with female players who are keen to take up paintball as a regular sport. So there you go...Team Atrox!

I thought perhaps I would like to mention a few other paintball nick (all female) in this blog as a ovation to their contribution towards paintball in Singapore or in the region:

Barrel, Snowflier, Noraini, Mad Devil, Elle, Wee Cheng, PSG Charlie, Grimreaper, Ann... and the list goes on...

Top Asia Paintball Teams!

Ironmen, Dynasty, Joy Division, Russian Legion, Nexus, Tons Tons...famous teams from the West. Well...these are well known teams from the U.S and Europe. You have heard of them, you have seen them play on video, you have watch their DVDs, you have learn from their coaching videos, definitely household names in the paintball world. But since this is a blog for Singapore paintball and that Singapore is part of Asia...and World Cup Asia is just 4 days away. Perhaps I should just do an insight on some of the best paintball teams in Asia? When I mean the best... I am referring to Division 1 teams and in no random order of course... teams worth watching.

1) Team Datis - Iran (Eclipse Sponsored)

The number one team from Iran which has a very consistent showing in every World Cup Asia that they played in. The finalist for WCA 2007 and overall champion of the PALS Series 2006 and 2007, Datis went against the South Africa Reapers in last year's WCA 2007. Judging from the initial voting from some forums, this team is voted as the hot favourites to win this year's WCA (having missed out on last). I think no one would disagree with me when I say that these guys are aggressive on the field. Dont be fool by their looks, these guys are very friendly people. From professsions such as medical doctors, IT professionals, etc. You cant go wrong...

2) Alien 11 - Thailand

Alien 11 beat Infernal (another home based team which cliniched 2nd in WCA 2006) to clinich 3rd placing for WCA 2007. With playing experience in the European scene such as the Millenium Series Toulouse 2007, this is one team which can turn the tide and represent Thailand in this year's WCA.

3) Team Wasp - Australia

Team Wasp (Gold and Blue) from down under Perth are two formiable teams in the Australia Xball League (AXL). With consistent showing in the AXL in 2008, we will be witnessing a good showing of paintball skills from the Aussies.

4) Demonz Red - Malaysia (JT Sponsored)

Demonz Red which is the overall Malaysia Paintball Official Circuit (MPOC) Div 1 Champion after 5 legs of competition is one of the longest serving paintball team in the Malaysia paintball scene. A good showing in the recent NPPL Asia Invitational Championship, the Demonz was invited to be the first Asian team to grace next year's Huntington Beach event in U.S.

5) Xtioneer - Malaysia (Dye Sponsored)

With a good showing in Toulouse 2008, this team could well be the underdog team in this year's WCA. A regular team in the Asia paintball tournament, Xtioneer has a strong and discipline team who has been playing together for many years.

6) Team KU - Japan (Dye Sponsored)

A regular face in the Asia scene. KU has made regular training trips to Taiwan. With a female player, Michiko in their team line up, KU is not a team to be undermine as they have been playing together for quite a while, Kamikaze style... With a good showing in the NPPL Asia Championship, KU is definitely not a pushover in this WCA.

And there you go...teams worth mentioning in Asia.