The United Kingdom Paintball Association (UKPBA) is a non-profit making body dedicated to promoting, and protecting, the sport of Paintball in the UK.
Established in 1989, it has a membership well in excess of 500,000 people – all of whom play paintball or have played paintball in the past. It is believed to be the largest body representative of British paintball and has a fair claim to be considered the governing body of the sport in the UK.
The UKPBA was originally established with a view to:
1. Creating an umbrella organisation to act in the best interests of the sport from a player’s perspective (membership has now also been opened to UK site operators, and other trade organisations).
2. Having the activity recognised by the government. The sport of paintball has faced many challenges during it’s first 20 years in the UK. Indeed the Sports Council (the government body responsible for sports in the UK) has still not yet accepted the activity within it’s definition of a 'sport'. This is something the UKPBA is seeking to challenge.
3. Improving the standard of facilities and service found at British paintball centres.
4. Bringing the sport to the widest possible audience, by way of advertising, PR, and other promotional activities.
5. Answering press and governmental enquiries about the sport. The UKPBA is uniquely well placed to do this, having amongst it’s membership technical experts on paintball games (including leading players), legal experts, planning and health and safety consultants.
In March 2005 the Association changed it’s membership structure to also admit trade members.
To recognise UKPBA member sites look out for this logo:
Some of our member sites have also been inspected and approved by the UKPBA as accredited sites. To recognise these sites look out for this logo:
In order to gain accredited status, members sites must meet the following criteria:
Conform to the UKPBA code of conduct. Including (but not limited to):
• Maintain a policy of full Public Liability Insurance.
• Maintain a policy of full Employers Liability Insurance.
• Pay all staff through a PAYE system (deduct tax and NI).
• Fully account for VAT, and provide a till receipt for every purchase.
• Maintain an explosives registration with the LPA.
• Full risk assessments to have been conducted, plus full schedule of
reviews.
• Maintain a ‘safe zone’ according to the following standards:
• No paintball markers permitted
• High mesh netting/fencing to prevent ingress of paintballs
• Flushing WC’s
• All-weather seating areas
• Licensed catering facilities
• First aid equipment and facilities
• All marshalling personnel to be a minimum of 18 years of age
• All players provided with fully integrated goggles, incorporating fully articulated plastic head guard.
• All marshalling personnel to trained to UKPBA Grade 3 Standard or above.
• Gas propellant bottles, and markers to be serviced by qualified air-smith
only.
• Gas propellant bottles to be replaced in accordance with date stamp.
• All paintball jumpsuits to be laundered between every use.
• Kitchen staff to hold Basic Food Hygiene qualification.
• All relevant staff to hold a suitable First Aid qualification.
• Commission and adhere to an ecologist’s woodland management plan.
• Grant entry to no player under 11 years of age.