In 1990 a group of players and members of the trade formed the European Paintball Sports Federation to protect the sport. The game of paintball was going through a rough time with attacks from the media and more important a possible ban by the Home Office as a result of the wording of the Firearms Act at the time.
Over the years the EPSF and more recently the UKPSF have had discussions with various members of the Government, officials at the various Government bodies, local authorities, Police and Firearms experts. As a result of these discussions the wording in the Firearms act (Air being the only approved propellant) which could have resulted in a ban on paintball has been changed. (CO2 was added as an approved propellant) The sport and the equipment has developed over the past ten years and the need for CO2 as a propellant has reduced.
The EPSF also produced tournament rule books which formed the foundation for all of the current tournament rules in the UK and probably most of the European tournaments. The "Code of Practice" is recognised by the Health and Safety and a lot of Councils as the guidelines for operating a paintball site.
In the late 1990's it was decided to change the name from the EPSF to the UKPSF because whilst most of the European countries had used the EPSF as the model to set up their own Federations the organisation in the UK only looked after the United Kingdom. There were no representatives from other countries on the committee therefore it did not truly represent Europe. The name was therefore changed to the United Kingdom Paintball Sports Federation.
There are steps being taken at present to form a new European body with representatives from all over Europe on the committee.
The UKPSF is a voluntary body and exists to promote the sport of paintball, liaise with government bodies, local authorities and try to make the game of paintball safe and fun to play. One of the main objectives is to have the game of paintball recognised by the Sports Council as a sport!
Membership is open to any player, site or shop involved in the sport of paintball.
Paintball sites have to complete a questionnaire before being accepted as a member and are given a code of practice to help with the running of their paintball sites. If a member is reported by the public then an investigation will be undertaken and in certain circumstances membership has been removed from the site. Site membership does not constitute approval of the site as there is NO site inspection as a criteria for membership.
Click here to join now!
Code of Practice for sites
The "Code of Practice" is issued to all members sites and is used as a basis to operate a safe site. There is information about setting up safe areas, playing areas, catering, equipment and marshalling.
The "NEW" Code of Practice is now available to site members only.
Tournament rule book
The tournament rule book was created in the early 1990's by the then "Survival paintball group". This rule book has over the years been used by most major event organisers as the basis for there event rules.
As the sport of paintball has developed new rules have emerged including the popular "one for one" rule. with this in mind the Tournament rule book is being revised in the next couple of months to include the newer rules and include the new playing conditions i.e. concept fields.
The Tournament Rule book is currently under review.
The WORD
The paintball WORD is the official newsletter of the UKPSF. It was re-launched in March 2000 after a three year absence. The newsletter contains news, views, quizzes, articles about paintball kit, travel, general interest articles and articles nothing to do with paintball.
Due to high production costs the "WORD" has now been in corperated into the PBUK magazine. For details visit www.pbuk.biz
Paintball Games in Woodlands
This is a publication produced in conjunction with English Nature. The booklet explains about selecting a suitable site, managing a site and other useful information. The publication is free to site members. If you would like a copy and are not a site/trade member please send £2.00 to cover p & p.
Web site
The latest addition to the UKPSF publications is the Web site. Since you are reading this you are the best judge of this publication. Please visit the various sections of the site and then I would appreciate your comments about areas we can improve on or subjects you would like to see on the web site. Please use the feedback form for your comments.
Risk Assessment
The UKPSF now produce a "Risk Assessment" package for paintball site. The pack contains a CD with essential information for any paintball site who has to carry out a risk analysis. The pack also contains several Health and Safety booklets published by the HSE.
The pack is �50 for members and �100 for non members.
UKPSF Approved First Aid courses
On Wednesday 22 March the UKPSF held it's first, FIRST AID course. The one day course organised in conjunction with Southend Training Services Ltd proved very successful and 16 participants completed the course. This initial course was only offered to Northern sites but now we will be offering the course to ALL sites. If you are interested in the first aid course please contact the UKPSF. Once I know how many people want to book onto the course and the areas of the country they are in I can book venues and confirm dates.
The courses will be on a Wednesday and cost £30-35 depending on the venue and the travelling expenses of the instructor. You will receive a manual and a certificate to say you have attended a one day appointed persons first aid course.
For further information and to arrange a course contact info@ukpsf.com
First Aid supplies
The UKPSF now has a full range of First Aid supplies available. We can supply first aid kits, eye wash stations, accident books, cool packs, dressing etc.... For a full list and order for contact info@ukpsf.com
UKPSF badges
One question that is always being asked by members is:-
"Do you have any badges?".
The badges are black with the logo in red-blue and the ball available in one of four colours. The standard members badge has a blue ball, members who have taken the first aid course can have a badge with a green ball, the marshalling badge has an orange ball, and site and trade members have a yellow ball. The badges cost £3.65 each including postage. If you have team kit or site marshalling tops and would like the badges embroidering directly onto the tops these are £3.00 per badge plus carriage. Contact the UKPSF for further details
UKPSF "Ad Loops"
These are an alternative to key fobs. They are also handy to attach to your barrel plug or isolator pin (Angel users). If you are a member and would like a free "ad loop" send a stamped addressed envelope (1st or 2nd class) to the UKPSF office.
