Ainsley Baddeley
Ainsley Baddeley is a British paintball tournament organiser, team owner, coach and sports administrator best known for his leadership of the Central Premier Paintball Series (CPPS) and his ownership of the professional paintball team Lucky 15s.
Baddeley and fellow player Dylan Owen purchased the existing CPPS tournament series around 2012 and developed its Staffordshire venue into one of the United Kingdom's principal competitive paintball facilities.[1]
He founded the Lucky 15s, a British tournament team established in 2008, and oversaw its development from recreational paintball into European professional competition.[1][2]
Baddeley has also been involved in paintball governance through the UK Paintball Sports Federation (UKPSF) and the European Paintball Federation (EPBF). He represented the UKPSF at European federation meetings in 2016 and was documented as EPBF president in February 2019.[3][4]
| Name | Ainsley Baddeley |
|---|---|
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Paintball tournament organiser, team owner, coach and sports administrator |
| Known for | Central Premier Paintball Series; Lucky 15s |
| Associated organisations | CPPS; Lucky 15s; UK Paintball Sports Federation; European Paintball Federation |
| CPPS ownership | From approximately 2012, jointly acquired with Dylan Owen |
| Lucky 15s | Founder and owner |
| EPBF president | Documented February 2019 |
| Years active | 2000s–present |
Paintball career
[edit]Early involvement
[edit]Baddeley began playing paintball recreationally in woodland environments during the late 1990s.
In a 2019 interview with Paintball.shop, he recalled beginning his paintball career more than twenty years earlier and becoming interested in the sport through regular woodland games with friends.[1]
He subsequently moved into competitive tournament paintball.
His early competitive activities included participation in British tournaments and events on the Millennium Series European circuit.
Formation of the Lucky 15s
[edit]Baddeley founded the Lucky 15s, a British tournament paintball team established in 2008.[2]
The team's name originated from a successful accumulator bet placed at the Cheltenham horse races.
According to Baddeley, he won approximately €4,000 from a small wager and used the proceeds to purchase matching equipment for his paintball-playing friends.[1]
The team's official history similarly describes the winnings as approximately £3,500 from a £6 bet.[2]
The name Lucky 15s referred to the type of horse-racing bet that funded the team's initial equipment.
The team adopted a horse emblem and green colours associated with the winning bet.
Baddeley initially played alongside the team before becoming increasingly involved in its management and development.
Development of the team
[edit]The Lucky 15s progressed from recreational and domestic competition into the higher divisions of British and European tournament paintball.
In August 2011, Planet Eclipse published an article describing Baddeley as the team's leader and highlighting its development despite limited sponsorship.[5]
The team subsequently competed in the Millennium Series and its successor, NXL Europe.
By 2018, the Lucky 15s had earned promotion to the professional division of European tournament competition.[2]
Baddeley remained involved as the team's owner and coach, focusing on player development, recruitment and long-term competitiveness.
Player development
[edit]Baddeley developed a team structure intended to support progression from younger or less experienced players into the first team.
In his 2019 interview, he explained that the Lucky 15s established a second squad to create opportunities for developing players and provide replacements as established players retired or left the team.[1]
The two squads trained together, allowing newer players to gain experience alongside more established competitors.
Baddeley described this approach as a deliberate attempt to create a sustainable team rather than relying exclusively on an existing group of experienced players.
The team's competitive history and results are covered separately in the Lucky 15s article.
Central Premier Paintball Series
[edit]Acquisition of CPPS
[edit]Baddeley and fellow paintball player Dylan Owen purchased the existing Central Premier Paintball Series around 2012.[1]
At the time, CPPS was a comparatively small British tournament league operating at a venue the pair already used for training.
In his 2019 interview, Baddeley recalled that he and Owen saw an opportunity to invest in the venue's infrastructure and develop a larger, more professional tournament facility.
The acquisition should be distinguished from the original establishment of CPPS, which existed before their involvement as owners.
The precise acquisition date and the identities of the previous owners have not yet been independently established.
Development of the venue
[edit]Following the acquisition, Baddeley and Owen invested in the development of CPPS Paintball Park near Penkridge, Staffordshire.
Their work included improvements to the tournament fields and supporting facilities.
A contemporary report published by Samurai Paintball in March 2014 praised the improvements made by Baddeley and the CPPS team during the preceding off-season.[6]
In a 2016 article about Staffordshire and District Paintball, Baddeley was identified as CPPS event director.[7]
His responsibilities included overseeing the operation of the tournament series and the development of its facilities.
The venue subsequently became one of the principal tournament paintball locations in the United Kingdom.
Expansion of the league
[edit]Under Baddeley's leadership, CPPS developed into a large multi-divisional competition.
At the December 2016 congress of the European Paintball Federation, Baddeley reported that CPPS events were attracting up to 125 teams.[3]
The league provided competition opportunities across multiple levels of tournament paintball, from developing teams to elite competitors.
Baddeley's work focused on establishing a permanent tournament venue capable of supporting regular domestic competition and international events.
The competition's detailed history, divisions and results are covered separately in the Central Premier Paintball Series article.
Separation of team ownership and competition
[edit]Baddeley has owned both the CPPS league and the Lucky 15s team.
In his 2019 interview, he acknowledged the potential conflict associated with competing in a league that he owned.[1]
He explained that he and Dylan Owen stopped playing competitive paintball after purchasing CPPS.
The Lucky 15s continued to compete while Baddeley concentrated on team ownership, coaching and tournament administration.
The interview provides evidence of his awareness of the need to distinguish his responsibilities as a league operator from his involvement with a competing team.
It does not independently establish the existence of a formal conflict-of-interest policy.
Coaching and player development
[edit]Baddeley has supported coaching and development activities beyond the Lucky 15s.
In May 2014, he helped organise a series of British paintball training clinics alongside Mark Dale of the London Tigers and Tim Burnett of Shoreline.[8]
The clinics featured instruction from American paintball commentator and coach Baca Loco.
The programme included paintball fundamentals, drills and practical game situations.
Baddeley's involvement demonstrated his interest in improving competitive standards beyond the teams he personally owned.
He has also publicly supported the development of British paintball clubs and younger players.
In September 2016, he praised Staffordshire and District Paintball for its player development and progression through the competitive divisions.[7]
UK Paintball Sports Federation
[edit]Player representation
[edit]Baddeley became involved in the UK Paintball Sports Federation, a voluntary organisation representing paintball players, commercial venues and businesses in the United Kingdom.
The federation's published committee directory identifies him as its player point of contact and describes him as the owner and coach of the Lucky 15s and CPPS.[9]
His responsibilities included communication with players and promotion of the federation's player membership programme.
The role connected his experience as a tournament organiser with broader efforts to represent the British paintball community.
Industry representation
[edit]Baddeley was also involved in the federation's development during its transition to a broader committee structure in the mid-2010s.
A contemporary article published by Mayhem Paintball identified him among the people responsible for UKPSF site membership.[10]
His involvement reflected the participation of tournament organisers and commercial operators in the federation's administration.
European Paintball Federation
[edit]British representation
[edit]Baddeley represented the UK Paintball Sports Federation in the European Paintball Federation.
Official proceedings of the third EPBF Congress, held in Barcelona on 10 December 2016, identify him as a UKPSF representative.[3]
During the meeting, Baddeley reported on the development of CPPS and the growth of British tournament participation.
He informed delegates that CPPS events had reached approximately 125 participating teams.
The congress also discussed international competition, youth development and national federation activities.
International competition planning
[edit]Baddeley participated in EPBF discussions concerning international paintball championships.
Minutes of an ordinary EPBF congress held in Barcelona on 1 February 2018 record his involvement in planning for the 2018 World Championships.[11]
The congress resolved to establish a committee including Baddeley and Filippo Fiorio to work on the federation's presentation materials.
Baddeley was also assigned to contact Tom Cole concerning arrangements between EPBF and the NXL for the organisation of the 2018 events.
These responsibilities demonstrate his involvement in international competition administration beyond the domestic CPPS league.
EPBF presidency
[edit]By February 2019, Baddeley was serving as president of the European Paintball Federation.
Official minutes of an executive committee meeting held in Amsterdam on 11 February 2019 identify:
- Ainsley Baddeley — president
- Laurent Hamet — general secretary
- Ulrich Staehr — senior vice-president
The minutes were certified by Hamet as general secretary and Baddeley as president.[4]
The meeting addressed the federation's executive committee, international championships and administrative matters.
The precise dates on which Baddeley assumed and subsequently left the presidency have not been independently established.
His documented presidency should not be interpreted as confirmation that he continues to hold the position.
International tournament hosting
[edit]CPPS Paintball Park developed into a venue for major international paintball events.
The venue hosted the NXL Europe British Invitational, including events held in 2023 and 2026.
Baddeley's involvement in developing the venue contributed to its ability to accommodate international professional and divisional competition.
In October 2023, Baddeley appeared on episode 214 of the Play The Game podcast, where he was introduced as the owner of CPPS Paintball Park, the CPPS league and the Lucky 15s professional team.[12]
The interview reflected his continued involvement in the administration and development of British and European tournament paintball.
Contribution to paintball
[edit]Baddeley's documented career spans several areas of competitive paintball.
| Area | Contribution | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Team development | Founder and owner of the Lucky 15s | [1][2] |
| Tournament organisation | Joint acquisition and development of CPPS with Dylan Owen | [1][6] |
| Coaching | Development of a multi-squad team structure and support for training clinics | [1][8] |
| British governance | UKPSF player representative and involvement in membership development | [9][10] |
| European governance | UKPSF representative at EPBF congresses and EPBF president in 2019 | [3][4] |
| International competition | Involvement in EPBF championship planning and international event hosting | [11][12] |
Historical significance
[edit]Ainsley Baddeley is a significant figure in the development of modern British tournament paintball.
His career combines team ownership, coaching, tournament organisation and sports administration.
His acquisition and development of CPPS helped establish a permanent competitive venue capable of supporting a large domestic tournament series.
His work with the Lucky 15s demonstrated an approach to team development based on creating opportunities for younger and developing players.
His involvement in the UKPSF and EPBF extended his influence into national and continental paintball governance.
Together, these activities have contributed to the development of competitive paintball in the United Kingdom and its connections with the wider European tournament community.
Timeline
[edit]| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| Late 1990s | Begins playing recreational woodland paintball, according to his 2019 recollection |
| 2008 | Establishes the Lucky 15s tournament team |
| 2011 | Planet Eclipse identifies Baddeley as leader of the developing Lucky 15s team |
| c. 2012 | Purchases the existing CPPS league with Dylan Owen |
| 2014 | Documented developing CPPS facilities and supporting British coaching clinics |
| 2015 | Involved in UKPSF membership and industry representation |
| 2016 | Reports approximately 125 CPPS teams at the European Paintball Federation Congress |
| 2018 | Participates in EPBF international championship planning |
| 2018 | Lucky 15s earn promotion to European professional competition |
| February 2019 | Documented as president of the European Paintball Federation |
| August 2019 | Gives a detailed interview concerning the Lucky 15s and the acquisition and development of CPPS |
| October 2023 | Appears on the Play The Game podcast discussing his paintball career and organisations |
See also
[edit]- Central Premier Paintball Series
- Lucky 15s
- Dylan Owen
- UK Paintball Sports Federation
- European Paintball Federation
- Laurent Hamet
- NXL Europe
- Millennium Series
- Paintball in the United Kingdom
- Paintball in Europe
References
[edit]- "Interview with Ainsley — Behind the Scenes #4", Paintball.shop, 20 August 2019. First-person interview documenting Baddeley's early playing career, the founding of the Lucky 15s, acquisition of CPPS with Dylan Owen, coaching philosophy and tournament administration.
- "About the Team", The Lucky 15s. Official team history documenting its establishment, the Cheltenham betting story, competitive development and promotion to European professional competition.
- "Third EPBF Congress — Barcelona, 10 December 2016", European Paintball Federation. Official congress proceedings identifying Baddeley as a UKPSF representative and documenting his report that CPPS events were attracting up to 125 teams.
- "EPBF Executive Committee Meeting — Amsterdam, 11 February 2019", European Paintball Federation. Official minutes identifying Ainsley Baddeley as president and Laurent Hamet as general secretary.
- "Lucky 15's", Planet Eclipse HQ Blog, 1 August 2011. Contemporary article identifying Baddeley as leader of the Lucky 15s.
- "CPPS Round 1 — Division 2", Samurai Paintball, 25 March 2014. Contemporary tournament report describing improvements made by Baddeley and the CPPS team.
- "Staffordshire and District Paintball", DarrylDoes, 21 September 2016. Contemporary article identifying Baddeley as CPPS event director and quoting his comments on player development.
- "The Bank Holiday", View from the Deadbox, 26 May 2014. Contemporary account of British coaching clinics organised with Baddeley and other paintball figures.
- "UKPSF Committee", UK Paintball Sports Federation. Official committee directory identifying Baddeley as player point of contact and owner and coach of CPPS and the Lucky 15s.
- "The UKPSF — What Does It All Mean?", Mayhem Paintball, March 2015. Contemporary account identifying Baddeley's involvement in UKPSF membership administration.
- "EPBF Ordinary Congress — Barcelona, 1 February 2018", European Paintball Federation. Official congress proceedings documenting Baddeley's responsibilities concerning international championship planning and cooperation with the NXL.
- "214 — Ainsley Baddeley", Play The Game podcast, October 2023. Interview identifying Baddeley as owner of CPPS Paintball Park, the CPPS league and the Lucky 15s.