The United Kingdom Paintball Association (UKPBA) is a non-profit making body that was established in 1989 as an umbrella organisation to protect and promote the sport of paintball in the UK.
Today the UKPBA has a membership of well over 500,000 current or former paintball players, UK paintball site operators and other trade organisations – quite possibly making it the largest body representing British paintball and giving clout to the claim that it is the governing body of the sport of paintball in the UK.
One of the many challenges faced by the UKPBA is the fact that the Sports Council (the governing body for sports in the UK) has not accepted paintball within its definition of a ‘sport’. The UKPBA devotes much of its time to overcoming this obstacle and promoting paintball as a recognised sport. It is apparent that progress is being made, as paintball was short-listed to be entered as a new sport in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The UKPBA also aims to improve the standard of the facilities and services found at British paintball centres, to further promote the game to broader audiences and to introduce it to as many new players as possible.
In order to gain accredited UKPBA membership status, individuals and paintball sites have to adhere to and conform to the UKPBA Code of Conduct.
All accredited UKPBA members that conform to the Code of Conduct are entitled to numerous benefits, such as discounts at various participating paintball centres, as well as free access to player forums loaded with online news, reviews, opinions and ideas.
Membership to the UKPBA is reserved for paintball players and premium paintball operators that meet and maintain optimal standards of facilities, health and safety guidelines and services in the paintball industry. Membership may be revoked at the sole discretion of the UKPBA at any time, without reason and without entitlement to compensation of any kind.
The UKPBA has a simple mission – to protect and promote the UK paintball industry and to continually improve the standard of facilities and services provided by and for members throughout the UK.
- Paintball operators and trade members join the list of UKPBA members and discuss business-related topics to remain at the forefront of the UK paintball industry.