2013 Tippmann Challenge Mirabel Quebec

Everyone has heard the hype surrounding paintball mega games but why are big games so special? At big games players get much more than just a day of trigger squeezing. At a big game you get not only a target rich environment but you get to see things like Darth Vader, Ironman, Sarge from Halo, and a jungle explorer riding an ostrich.

Event 2 Set Up for Exciting ATWL Final

Tippmann X7 Phenom Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League Event 2 played on August 3, 2012 was some of the most exciting woodsball played in the history of the league. Tippmann Sports and BuyPBL invaded Hypersportz Paintball in Mount Uniacke, Nova Scotia, to host the best players in the region for the mid point of the 2013 season.

Returning ATWL players were impressed with the field improvements that are continuing at Hyper Sportz. "We are making improvements to the playability of the field for the ATWL." said Field Manager Jim Bent. "We are getting great feedback from the players and will make more improvements for next season."

ATWL 2013 Season Off and Running

The seventh season of the premiere woodsball league in Eastern Canada, the Tippmann X7 Phenom Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League (ATWL) kicked off June 15th, 2013 Mersey Road Paintball in East River Nova Scotia.

Woodsball teams from around the Maritimes came together to once again to begin the battle for the ATWL Cup and the title of the best woodsball team in the Maritimes.

The teams fight for points by capturing one of three flag stations that are set up approximately equidistant to each team's start point on the field. The teams play a round robin format a win earn the team 2 points, a tie one point and a loss no points. Total flag caputure points earned by each team is used to break a tie.

The Mersey Road Predators started the day with a bang and never looked back. The Predators returned to the form they displayed in 2011 when the team won the ATWL Championship. The Preds won every game and jumped to an early season league lead.

The SU Milita from Moncton New Brunswick are starting to hit their stride in the woods, and becoming a contender for the championship. SU ended the day tied with the defending champion Anthraxx for win / loss points but moved ahead of Anthraxx due to more total flag capture points.

The Green Acres Goblins are still learning the intricacies of competitive woodsball play in this their sophomore season in the ATWL. The Goblins came into the event shorthanded put up a stiff fight in every game. The Goblins are improving with every game and are looking forward event 2.

The 2009 ATWL champion Nova Scotia Mercenaries played well all day. The Mercs ended the day is second position but managed to accumulate the most flag capture points for the day for the day.

Head Referee Josh Boiduk of the Tippinators was impressed with both the skill level and sportsmanship displayed by all teams. "It was exciting paintball to watch," said Boiduk "there was lots of paint in the air, movement all over the field and real teamwork showed by everyone."

In 2013 the league is made up of established teams but the number of new players in the league this season is a pleasant surprise.

"New players are vital in order for the league to succeed, and the sport to grow." said Bruce Johnston ATWL League Commissioner "Seeing many new faces playing on existing teams shows the sport is alive and well in Eastern Canada."

Riding high on the success of event 1 the ATWL will next roll into Hypersportz Paintball in Mount Uniacke, Nova Scotia on July 27th for event 2.

Standings After Event 1

Place	Team	W/L Points	Capture Points
1	Predators	8	505
2	Mercenaries	6	555
3	SU Militia	3	350
4	Anthraxx	3	295
5	Green Acres Goblins	0	75

Chris Coolen Takes Over as Tippinators Head Coach

The Tippinators are excited to announce that Chris Coolen has agreed to coach the Tippinators speedball team through the rebuilding process this season.

Coolen is a former CXBL All Star with many years of paintball experience to pass on to a young group of eager players.

"I came to the Tippinators last season because I wanted to return to the real reason I play paintball - to have fun with a good group of guys but maintain a competitive balance." Coolen said.

Coolen has always been friends with Tippinator players and joined the team in 2012. "The Tippinators have always had an outstanding reputation as a first class, professionally organized team whose players are always seen smiling and enjoying the moment. That is what any sport should be about." Coolen remarked of the team. "For me to reach out to the team and ask to play last season was a no brainer."

For an exceptionally talented player, playing at the highest level in the country to hang up his cleats to coach a rebuilding team is a exception to the rule.

"Two years ago I suffered a torn ACL in my right knee," Coolen explained "Although I did play 2011 in the CXBL and 2012 in the MXL the injury has really taken its toll on me and that was a big factor in my decision to coach."

The Tippinators are getting a coach with a proven track record. Coolen coached in the past with the original Hammonds Plains team many of whom went on to become great players.

Of the teams he has coached in the past Coolen said "Seeing positive growth and transformation in the players makes coaching such a great experience. I really just want to pass on my knowledge and experiences so that they can get the most enjoyment out of the sport as possible."

Coolen is eager to get on the field with the Tippinators. "I want to bring out the best in the new Tipp players, identify where existing players can improve."

The goals for the team are simple. "We are going to set our sights high for the season and to be competitive. I want to coach a group of players that are going to take paintball as seriously as any other sport and who have the drive and hunger to be successful." Coolen commented

For Coolen the expression "work hard, play hard" comes to mind when he thinks of moulding a new team. The hard part he knows is in striking the perfect balance between fun and success. Coolen also knows that "If everyone can buy into the same system good things will come."