Who's in Charge here?! Meet the Blog Authors

About us:

You're probably wondering, who are these people that are giving me tips on how to start a paintball club? Let us introduce ourselves:

Allison Cook -

In 2002, I started playing competitive paintball and built my own all girl paintball team. In 2000, I began working as a Classroom Assistant/Behavior Specialist for a Mental Health Day Treatment program at a middle school. Later in 2006, I transferred to the High School Mental Health Day Treatment where I still am currently employed. Over the years I observed a similarity between helping students and my paintball team with structure and teamwork. I began using many of the same strategies with my paintball team that I used in the classroom. I also realized that the youth in my community didn’t always fit into the standard extra curricular activities the local schools had to offer. I started a paintball club at my high school recently with much success of getting the youth to strengthen their teamwork and leadership skills and at the same time introduce them to the sport. I wanted to share this experience with more students and youth across the country who may be interested in starting their own paintball club or team and want to help grow the sport.

Sonny Lopez - 

In 1989 I joined a Paintball Club at Bishop Amat high school during my Freshman year. The school wanted students to be busy and engaged with each other so we had to join social clubs to stay in good standing with the school. It was genius they forced us to be busy before and after school. No time to get in trouble. For years I played on and off and after high school I got serious and landed a job as a referee at SC Village Paintball park. From there I earned a job at WGP Worr Game Products. While at WGP I pursued multiple degrees while attending Citrus College and Cal State University Fullerton. WGP allowed me a flexible schedule so I can go to school full time and also have a part time job and still play lots of paintball. In 1995 I won my first big amateur tournament in Las Vegas and played with countless teams from 1995 to 2000. In 2001 I was a founding member of Pro Team Dynasty and I injured myself in 2003 that forced me to not play or run for years. During this time I started to coach other teams and quickly decided that I wanted my own team someday. As fate would have it I created the LA Hitmen in the end of 2004 and we started to win from 2005 onward. As a team owner, coach and one who grew up playing various forms of paintball I know that the paintball activity is a positive one.  I think all schools can benefit from a paintball based club. Find a field and go play!

Stay tuned for our next blog!!

Paintball Club Basics

 Paintball Club Basics

When making your own club, there are basic things to consider, such as ground rules, meeting times, procedures for doing things and, of course, finding a regular meeting place.

Get people to join your club. Ask around at your school and post on social media pages. You might consider making flyers that you can pass out or leave at your school, sporting goods store, paintball store, and paintball field.

Name your club. Have your group brainstorm and come up with different names and vote on their favorite. You can research different names online. Have fun with it!

Create a calendar. Put all of the club meeting dates, locations, and trips on it. Apps like google calendar allow you to share a calendar so you're all on the same page (no pun intended). You should consider having a scheduled "planning meeting" so you and all of your club members can plan together when things should happen.

Find a regular place to meet. In our last blog we suggested having your club at your middle school, high school, or college. However, if this is not an option you can try to contact your local library, Teen Center, Community Center, or Church.

Have an end goal in mind. What do you want to achieve from this club? Do you want to play paintball for fun ? Do you want to start a team ? Do you want to enter into some tournaments ? Do you want to attend a big scenario game ? Or play paintball at events that help raise money for charitable causes?

Will you need fundraising? Decide if your end goal and steps to it will cost you money. If so, brainstorm what fundraisers your club can do. Car wash ? Ask friends, family, and neighbors to sponsor you. You can do odd jobs for them such as washing their car, mowing their lawn, cleaning out the gutters, shoveling snow, trimming bushes,or cleaning spider webs out of hard to reach areas.

Don't hesitate to ask anyone for help and suggestions. Allow time for questions and suggestions from your club members. The club will be more enjoyable if you let them speak up and share their opinions. 



 

How to start a paintball club

How do you start a paintball club ?

Use this guide to help create one yourself. 

Ask around your school and community or post on social media to find out who is interested in being part of a paintball club. 

Staff and Parent Sponsor: If you find a staff member and some parents that play or are willing to support it, you are well on your way to starting a paintball club at your school. 

Local Research: Find out your school’s rules and regulations on starting a club in general. If your school has an Activities Director, start there. They will be able to tell you how to get started. If your school does not have an Activities Director, talk to a member of your school staff and/or principal who is willing to be involved and help manage the club.

Local Paintball Company: Reach out to your local paintball fields and stores. They benefit from having a paintball club at their local school since it will support their business and help grow the sport. Tell them you are starting a paintball club and you would like to promote their field or store to possible new players. They may provide flyers, stickers, and possible discounts or promotions to their business.

You can also create a paintball club at the following organizations:
Library
Teen Center
Business
Community Center
Meetup.com 
First Responders
Church
Outdoors Group 

Does your school have a paintball club?

School Paintball Club

So you want to start a club at your school? We are here to help you through the process.

Paintball teaches Leadership, Teamwork, Communication, Stress Management, and Problem Solving.

Some say paintball is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

The adrenaline rush that paintball provides is perfect for high school and college team building activities. The participant feels like they are just having fun yet they are learning how to win the challenge. They are forcing themselves to overcome the obstacle and work as a team to success.

You already love paintball but your school doesn’t have a paintball club? Use this guide to help you create one yourself. Find other ballers in your school and team up with them to make it easier. If you find a staff member and some parents that will support it, you are well on your way to starting a paintball club at your school.

Reach out to your local paintball fields and stores. They benefit from having a paintball club at their local school since it will support their business and help grow the sport. 

Stayed tuned for our next blog to learn how to start a paintball club at your school, college, or local library.