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.
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 only available to site members.
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 their event rules.
As the sport of paintball has developed new rules have emerged including the popular "one for one" rule and now the Millennium rule book forms the basis of all tournament rules.
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 incorporated 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. This publication is now out of print but a photocopy is included in the UKPSF "Code of Practice"
UKPSF Approved First Aid courses
The UKPSF work in conjunction with UNDERWOOD training who offer first aid course specifically designed for the paintball and outdoor activity industries.
For contact details email info@ukpsf.com
UKPSF badges
One question that is always being asked by members is:-
"Do you have any badges?".
We have bumper stickers and "member" stickers and these are available to all site and playing members. We also have a fabric sew on members badge and these are £5 each incl p&p.
Please contact info@ukpsf.com for more 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.