Australasian Paintball Association

Fake breast explodes after being struck by a paintball in the UK

webserviceseh — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 03:06:43 +0000

A 26 year old woman visiting UKPaintball’s paintball centre in Croydon has been a victim in a freak accident where her fake breast has exploded after being struck by a paintball.

Early reports indicate that this woman was not wearing any body armour, an essential piece of equipment which is issued as standard to all players at any 5 Star AUPBA approved paintball centre. In addition, most other AUPBA member fields offer chest protection for all female players as well.

This is the first time an incident like this has ever occurred at a paintball centre, with the former president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons Douglas McGeorge saying “This is very, very unusual and this woman was very unlucky. I have heard some odd stories over the years but this is one of the strangest.”

As rare as this unfortunate incident is, it could have been easily prevented if this lady had been issued with body armour to take the force out of the strike. At 5 Star AUPBA approved paintball centres it is common practice that all players are issued with custom-designed body armour for added protection and comfort. In addition to this all players are issued with full head protection goggles and a full length combat suit with protective collar. Sadly not all paintball operators place the same importance on player safety, merely offering overalls and a face mask.

The victim has agreed not to take legal action against UKPaintball or Paintzone Paintball park, but I wonder if she’ll still be as forgiving when it comes to her having to fork out up to £3,000 to get the burst breast replaced.

If you want the confidence of playing paintball with the safest paintball providers then view the list of 5 Star AUPBA approved Australian paintball centres on our locations page.

The best paintball in Australia

webserviceseh — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:14:39 +0000

With paintball increasing in popularity, it is becoming crucial that customers know exactly what they will receive on their next paintball adventure. There are vast differences in the quality of paintball centres in Australia and that’s why we’ve devised a system that issues 5-star ratings to the best paintball centres in Australia.

The AUPBA wants paintball to become a mainstream sport in Australia and to do that we need to set a benchmark for centres to reach in order for them to continue improving their facilities, and overall, improve the customers’ paintball experience.

Every paintball centre should have a wow factor that impresses the customer enough to want to come back. Through this paintball will generate positive word of mouth and the fun times and impressive safety aspects of the sport will be known to a wider audience.

In recent years, the Australian paintball industry has seen a dramatic improvement in paintballing standards. We have seen paintball operators change from offering hay bales and wooden pallets as cover, to now investing a lot of money to have various movie-themed props for their customers to play between.

This has been great for the industry as not only have the game scenarios improved, but so to have the equipment and onsite facilities, leading to a safer and more enjoyable day out for the customer.

In order for a paintball centre to become AUPBA-approved, they must meet a stringent set of criteria. If they become accredited, they will receive one of two types of memberships to the AUPBA.

The first is a standard membership, which is for those quality paintball centres who provide a safe and action-packed day of paintballing to their customers and who contribute in a professional way toward the constant improvement of the paintball industry in Australia.

The second is a 5-star membership, which is awarded to those paintball centres in Australia who maintain a premium standard of facilities and services. They offer the ultimate paintball adventure, placing an emphasis on safety and customer service and satisfaction. These centres have been inspected and their level of professionalism and quality is the highest in the industry.

At the publication of this article, the AUPBA has issued 5-star ratings to four centres across Australia: Appin, NSW, Dingley, VIC, Muchea, WA and Bonneys, WA.

All of the above centres have pushed the boundaries of the Australian paintball industry, revolutionising it with their movie-set game scenarios and outstanding equipment. Not only have they made a day of paintball action safer and more enjoyable, but also their facilities, staff and training procedures will ensure you have the very best paintball experience.

But we also recognise the need for adrenalin-pumping action! The game zones on offer at these 5-star rated centres will make you feel as though you’ve been placed in the middle of a movie-set.

It is obvious that a significant investment has been made to produce such outstanding scenarios. Double-decker buses, pyramids, USAF aircraft, Wild West towns and massive forts are just some of the structures you will encounter on your day out at these paintball centres.

Click here to view the AUPBA 5-star locations.

Watch this space as more centres improve their facilities to become 5-star paintball centres.

Corporate Training days with Delta Force Paintball

webserviceseh — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 02:38:08 +0000

Corporate paintballing days are perfect for team building and training purposes. They are even more effective when held at Delta Force Paintball, the world’s largest operator of paintball games.

With centres situated in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, round up your colleagues and get ready for what will be the most effective day of the year for your business.

Picture yourself strategically positioned behind the military convoy vehicle. Your comrades (previously recognised as co-workers) crouch behind the nearby communications base and await your orders. You have a clear view of the enemy, but do you expose your position and risk heavy fire or continue forward to a safer point of attack? The decision is yours – the fate of the unit rests on your shoulders!

What better way to encourage leadership, nurture teamwork and establish a healthy and happy business environment than a corporate day out! Delta Force is renowned for organising convenient and adventurous corporate days of paintball action – all at the lowest prices in Australia.

Having fun together is incredibly important for staff morale, retention and productivity. Yet it’s often difficult to find something that all members of the team can enjoy; for example some people may be able to play golf (and hence enjoy a corporate golf-day), whilst others will not.

The great thing about paintballing is that it’s a wonderful leveller – you don’t need any particular sporting ability, and it’s possible for men and women, as well as people of all ages and all levels of fitness to participate on an equal footing.

Delta Force frequently organises corporate days out, which can be tailored to meet your company’s goals and objectives.

It is also a perfect way to reward your valued clients, which is why so many organisations are now taking to the paintball field for a fun day of paintball.

Delta Force has an impeccable safety record and quality game zones to match, ensuring your staff and clients are in safe hands.

To find out more information about Delta Force, click here to visit their website.

AUPBA push to lower the national Minimum Age of Paintball

webserviceseh — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 01:29:15 +0000

When you book a VIP paintball event through IPG you can rest assured knowing that all of our centres have been carefully chosen as they offer an incredible, safe and fun experience for all who attend.

Paintball in the 21st century has come a long way from it’s beginnings, with many centres offering a lot more than hay bales, wooden pallets and old tyres to play between.

In today’s paintball world you will find incredible movie-set props, including massive aircraft, buses, pyramids and castles to attack. You will need to use all of your wit to come out victorious, as paintball has developed into a quick thinking strategic game.

But there is a whole lot more to paintball than strategy and tactics. We ensure that all centres offer our customers the safest equipment so that your day can be played in complete comfort and safety. Your safety is our paramount concern and we will not do anything to compromise that.

To become an IPG-approved paintball centre, each venue must comply with strict guidelines to ensure the safety of its patrons. They also need to meet and maintain optimal standards of facilities, health and safety guidelines and services in the paintball industry.

IPGAU has a proven track record and an enviable reputation for organising fun and safe days out for friends and family.

Please be advised that the minimum age for paintball varies from state to state. The current minimum ages are as follows:

- 18 years in Victoria

- 16 years in NSW and ACT

- 15 years in Queensland

- 12 years in Western Australia

- 10 years in South Australia

In an attempt to achieve a standard minimum age across all states and territories, you can help the Australian Paintball Association (AUPBA) by signing their petition here.

With IPG, your safety, value for money and need for action-packed paintball adventure are all in safe hands. Please contact us to find the perfect centre for your next paintball party.

Paintball Games and Tactics around Australia

webserviceseh — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 05:41:00 +0000

The sport of paintball is very competitive and one that requires a good strategy in order to be victorious. It is similar to a game of chess; you need to be intelligent and predict the opposition’s next move, but you also need to stay aware of the situation at hand and react to any sudden changes to your surrounding environment.

It is in these unpredictable and uncertain times when a good strategy is needed most. But it is more than just having a good strategy and solid tactics that (on paper) should win you the game.

You need a leader. Someone who your team will turn to in times of turmoil, who has the confidence to keep a level-head yet not be too ambitious and someone who can stick to a plan but think quick if things go pear-shaped. It is this leader who will be most important to the success of your paintball adventure.

The next part of your strategy is about your team. There are many things that you and your team can do before the start of a paintball game to greatly increase your chances of winning.

It’s important to have a battle plan before a game starts and here are some handy tactics that can help you put together an effective battle strategy:

Walk the field: On your way to the starting point, take a moment to survey the game zone and try to pin point areas of tactical importance, routes to take that provide plenty of cover and bunkers that you can retreat to if need be. As you’re walking through the game zone ask yourself which position will you take first and where do you think the enemy will likely go? If everyone in your team does some mental preparation and shares their opinions with the rest of the team then you will stand a much better chance of winning.

Plan who will be doing what: Think of it in terms of rugby positions; Forwards, defenders, wingers etc. then democratically decide which position everyone should take based on their strengths.

Communication with your team: If you’re going to be using any hand signals or specialist words in the game, discuss them before the whistle blows or it may lead to some confusion.

Safety checks: Possibly the most important precaution to take before the start of a paintball game. No quality paintball centre in the country allows players into the games without their goggles being properly fastened but it’s always a good idea to double check that your fastenings are secured, the lid on your hopper is shut properly, your battlepack is strapped on tightly and the safety switch on your marker is on right until the game starts. It’s always best to be over-prepared than not prepared at all.

These are just a few of many tactics that will help your chances of being victorious on your next paintball adventure.

Whatever the result, be sure to get out there and have fun!

Paintball Skirmish in Perth

webserviceseh — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 01:28:12 +0000

Paintball has come a long way in Perth and now offers some of the best paintballing in Australia. There are two world-class AUPBA-approved paintball centres in Perth and both of them offer the very best in terms of action and adventure.

These two centres have received a 5-star rating from the AUPBA – the highest accolade a paintball centre can receive. Delta Force Muchea and Delta Force Bonneys are conveniently located less than an hour from the CBD and offer the ultimate paintball experience.

Both paintball centres offer incredible movie-set game zones, state-of-the-art equipment and have impeccable safety standards. They have revolutionised the paintball industry and improved facilities across the board making the sport of paintball safer and more comfortable with a range of their own initiatives, such as body armour to protect the upper torso and full-length body suits with added neck protection.

All of this combined means that you will have a more enjoyable and comfortable day out on the paintball field.

Click to view the locations of these fields.

The sport of paintball, or skirmish as it’s also known, is a game where two teams compete against each other to try and achieve an objective. The victorious team doesn’t always need to eliminate the opposition to achieve their goal, although it does make the job a lot easier.

With Perth offering incredible beaches, a great climate and a relaxed outdoor lifestyle, the city is very appealing to both tourists and locals alike. Add to this an exciting adrenaline sport in the form of paintball and you have the perfect place to call home or for a vacation.

The best part about paintballing in Perth is that it has one of the lowest minimum ages to play paintball in Australia. Similar to that of other paintballing nations throughout North America and Europe, the minimum paintballing age in Western Australia is 12 years of age, meaning you can take the whole family along for a great day out.

Whatever the occasion, be sure to get outside and enjoy the incredible sport that is paintball.

Paintball Safety Standards in Australia

webserviceseh — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 02:43:15 +0000

As paintball develops into a mainstream sport in Australia, it is essential that paintball safety standards also develop with the sport to ensure the safety of all players.

Technological advancements are apart of today’s sporting world whether we like it or not. In some sports these advancements have helped where as others it has hindered. The AUPBA always has welcomed the idea of new developments in the sport just as long as safety is kept as the number one priority.

Although those who have never played or who know little about paintball sometimes deem the activity to be somewhat dangerous, it is in fact safer and incurs fewer injuries than many mainstream contact sports like rugby, soccer and basketball.

As with most sports, safe participation results from adherence to the appropriate safety guidelines. As long as these guidelines are followed, paintball is an exceptionally safe game.

When you visit an AUPBA-approved venue you can expect to receive the following safety equipment:
- Goggles
- Paintball marker with hopper
- Overalls to protect your civilian clothing

In recent times there have been a few paintball centres in Australia that implemented various policies and procedures to ensure the safety of all players on site. They have invested heavily into the safest equipment in the industry and have carefully planned their centres to ensure the safety of everyone in the ‘safe zones’.

These centres have received a 5-star rating from the AUPBA for being the leaders in the Australian paintball industry. These are the Delta Force centres, which are located in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

Whenever you visit a Delta Force paintball centre you can be sure of a few things. One is that you will have the ultimate paintball experience and the other is that you’ll receive state-of-the-art paintball equipment, ensuring your day is both comfortable and enjoyable.

Included in every Delta Force package, you will receive:
- The latest semi-automatic paintball machine gun, which offers a sleek and lightweight design
- Full head protection goggle system with anti fog lenses. These goggles not only protect your eyes, but they also protect the top and back of your head from a potentially painful sniper shot
- Full length SAS-style camouflage combat suit to protect your civilian clothing from the rigours of battle. The combat suits also have padded collars, offering protection to your neck
- Custom-designed body armour to protect your upper torso
- A hip-mounted 400-shot capacity battlepack to ensure you never run out of ammo in the heat of battle

These advanced pieces of equipment all add up to a safe and enjoyable paintball adventure. Remember that when you attend any paintball centre, listen carefully to the safety briefing and the instructions from the staff, as they are essential for the safety of all players in your group.

Where can you find a paintball centre in Australia?

webserviceseh — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 05:37:39 +0000

One of the objectives of the Australian Paintball Association (AUPBA) was to provide a comprehensive source of information on all aspects of paintball, including where you can play in Australia.

The AUPBA lists all approved-members, which can be accessed on our locations page.

For centres to become AUPBA-approved, they must meet a stringent set of criteria. If they become accredited, they will receive one of two types of memberships to the AUPBA.

The first is a standard membership, which is for those quality paintball centres that provide a safe and action-packed day of paintballing to their customers. Also, they must contribute in a professional way towards the constant improvement of the paintball industry in Australia.

At the publication of this article, the AUPBA has issued 5-star ratings to four centres across Australia:

NSW: Appin

VIC: Dingley

WA: Muchea and Bonneys

For more information about your nearest paintball centre, please fill in our contact form.

Best Paintball Centre in Sydney

webserviceseh — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 05:30:31 +0000

Sydney can lay claim to offering some of the best paintball facilities in Australia. From indoor to outdoor centres, there are a wide variety of paintball facilities offering a great day of paintballing to both amateur and professional players alike. But there is one centre that sticks out from the crowd.

Appin Paintball, located less than an hour from Sydney’s CBD, has been issued with a 5-star rating due to their 100% safety record, world-class game zones and impeccable facilities.

The Australian Paintball Association issues 5-star ratings to those paintball centres that place an emphasis on safety and meet a strict set of criteria, which includes having no paintball markers inside the safe zone, high mesh netting to prevent the ingress of paintballs, flushing WCs, all weather seating areas and first aid equipment and facilities.

Appin Paintball has shown great initiative in ensuring the safety of all players by introducing full-length camouflage overalls, complete with protective neck padding, full head protection goggles and custom-designed body armour to protect the upper torso. This equipment has meant players at Appin will have a safer and more comfortable paintball experience.

But we also recognise the need for adrenalin-pumping action! On a full day out at Appin you will encounter 12 – 14 action-packed paintball scenarios, including Tomb Raider, London After the Apocalypse and Tropic Thunder.

On arrival at the paintball centre your team will be greeted by the friendly staff who will get you checked-in and issued with your paintball artillery for the days play. During breaks you can rest in the themed base camp. Here you can also top up your paintballs and satisfy your food and replenish your thirst at the onsite shop. Lunch is also available.

Appin Paintball offers the very best paintballing experience in Sydney.

For further information on Appin Paintball, click here.

How old do you have to be to play paintball in NSW?

webserviceseh — Wed, 18 May 2011 23:59:29 +0000

The legal age limit to play paintball varies across all states and territories of Australia. It ranges from a minimum age of 10 years old in South Australia, to 18 years of age in Victoria. As for NSW the legal paintball age is 16 years old.

Many paintball operators have called for a standardised national minimum age of 12 years old, bringing our country in line with many others throughout Europe and the rest of the world.

We are currently petitioning in NSW to reduce the legal paintballing age and are making solid progress. We have had talks with the Honourable Michael Daley (NSW Minister for Police) and the Honourable Jodie McKay (Minister for the Hunter) at Parliament House, and are continuing with our petition, which has received more than 2000 signatures!

This minimum age reduction would be a great thing for the sport of paintball and for kids all around Australia. Paintball is a team sport that requires strategy, communication and teamwork in order to be victorious.

Many companies and sporting clubs also use paintball as a team building exercise.

We will update you on the success of the petition.