This is what paintball is about ...

[lopxtc]

Just got back from the Prairie State Games, and let me tell you one of the best times to be had came at the awards ceremony ...

(Some back story) There is a team called "Rebels" ... the oldest kid is maybe 11-12 I think ... anyhow this is their first tourney ever and they are getting smoked bad. They lost every game, but these kids always walked away with a smile and a congrats to the other team.

Well about 3/4 of the way through several of us other teams decided to let the refs know that we really felt that this team above all others deserved the sportsmanship award.

Come to the end again ... they get called up to get their award and they are just beaming with joy. So here they are getting their medals, when the ultimate judge announces that one of the local stores present at the tourney has decided to give these kids a jersey sponsorship, their own jerseys with names and numbers. Too see these kids mouths drop was just amazing and to see all the other teams congratulate them and such was great.

Anyhow here is the pic of the team and their medals.

Aaron

[ASDadam]

I agree, seeing little kids smile and have a great time is what makes this game so great. Heh, nothing like storming a position leading a group of little kids and building up their confidence.

[lord1234]

thats pimp...

[goat]

That's great.......I was at a tourney where something similar happened, but they only got the sportsmanship award.
Gotta love the Grins on those kids faces .

Goat

[Mag Master 04]

food to see

recpect even for the little dudes

[magking1971]

That is awesome!

[Automaggin2]

Thats good to hear, its good to have little kids want to come back and play some more. they are the future.

[Recon by Fire]

That is the kind of good sportsmanship needed in the game. Just happy to play!

[BlackVCG]

That may very well be the next Dynasty right there.

[AdrenalineMag]

dynasty, dont you mean aftershock? heh. its always great to see people having real fun no matter what the results of the game are, especially new players and ones as young as those guys. i give them props and wish them luck in the future. thats great that they got a sponsorship already

[breg]

Right on, I can agree, that is what Paintball is about. I love it.

HAVING FUN IS THE POINT

Those grins must have been worth the entire trip.

[lopxtc]

Seeing the smiles on their faces was great ... what got me also was their parents talking to some of us and saying that they really appreciated us "pro players" taking the time to talk to them and actually treating them as equals.
They hadnt really expected the adult players to actually give the kids congrats and offer up advice on how to help them work on their game and such.

Aaron

[Pballwizz]

Ya, like, once I was watching this tourney, and one team was doin bad, and all they were doin was swearing and yelling, I mena, sheesh, its about havin fun not winnin, but I do have to admit, there have been times when Ive gotten angry, but o well, Peace!

[LittlePaintballBoy]

me and my cousin and my dad entered our first tourney a while ago, we got our butts handed to us but we congradulated the other team as we lost every game and each won a case of paint for sportsmanship! hooray! now weve been practicing and we might be able to get a place.

[shartley]

Yes, that is what paintball is about. Good to see it happen.