Malta Allied Airgunners Club

The Malta Allied Airgunners Club (MAAC) is a Maltese shooting sports club whose historical account dates its formation to 2008. Initially focused on air rifle disciplines, it subsequently introduced airsoft and paintball sections. [1]

MAAC announced plans for a paintball section in November 2009 and described the group as recently formed in January 2010. Its surviving records document recreational games during 2010 and the organisation of the Malta Official Paintball League in 2011. [2][3][4]

Background

An organisational account signed by chairman Stanley Shaw states that MAAC was formed and licensed in 2008. Its original air rifle activities included Field Target, Hunter Field Target and Air Rifle Benchrest. The account also records affiliations with the Malta Shooting Sports Federation and the Association of Arms Collectors and Target Shooters. [1]

Paintball developed as a separate section within this wider club structure, alongside the airgun and airsoft sections. [1][2]

Formation of the paintball section

On 26 November 2009, MAAC announced that it would add a recreational paintball section with its own organisation. The proposal envisaged forming teams to play against existing informal Maltese teams at local paintball fields. Regulations and safety rules were still being prepared. [2]

A message published on 5 January 2010 described the paintball group as recently formed. On 13 January, a further announcement stated that section members were already playing at local commercial fields while MAAC prepared its own training sessions and games. These records establish the section's existence before its dedicated website appeared in February. [3][5]

The report of MAAC's annual general meeting on 30 January 2010 identified Stanley Shaw as chairman, James Bugeja as secretary and treasurer, and Paul Castagnia as paintball director. An April activity announcement spells the paintball organiser's name Paul Castagna. [6][7]

On 19 February 2010, MAAC published an introductory post identifying its WordPress site as a dedicated website for the club's paintball section. [8]

Paintball activities in 2010

Early events

An announcement published on 2 February advertised the section's first official club event for 19 February 2010 at Ta' Qali Paintball Field, with places limited to 20 participants. The announcement records a scheduled activity rather than confirmed attendance. [9]

MAAC subsequently advertised an event at Extreme Paintball, Ta' Qali, for 24 April 2010. The €28 package included five games, rental equipment, protective clothing and 250 paintballs. Members could participate without owning equipment. [7]

A report published on 21 May included photographs from a completed match at Extreme Paintball. It described the pictured team playing against nine other members or prospective members. [10]

Recurring programme

A September 2010 report stated that Operation Eclipse, described as the seventh round of the year, had taken place at Ta' Qali on 24 September. MAAC said it was holding paintball events approximately once a month. [11]

The report distinguished players using their own equipment from participants using equipment supplied at a commercial field. This documents a programme accommodating both owner-equipped players and rental participants. [11]

Playing locations and proposed facilities

MAAC's paintball notices document games at commercial facilities in Ta' Qali. The club also explored arrangements for its sections at shooting ranges. [5][7][12]

On 12 November 2010, MAAC announced plans to transfer activities from Victoria Shooters Range to Ħal Far Shooting Range. The notice described an assigned air rifle area and another area intended for airsoft and paintball. An ad hoc permit had been obtained for an upcoming event, while permanent permission remained awaited. [12]

Later records show that the proposed transfer was not a straightforward completed relocation. A schedule notice dated 19 January 2011 again described the club's three sections sharing rented ground at Victoria Shooters Range. A September 2011 announcement stated that the committee would investigate the unresolved Ħal Far permissions. These records do not establish that MAAC opened a permanent paintball field there. [13][14]

Malta Official Paintball League

In May 2011, MAAC advertised the first Malta Official Paintball League as a one-day trial competition at Extreme Paintball, scheduled for 25 June. The event was promoted in aid of Puttinu Cares, with an advertised format of eight five-player teams. [4]

Results published on 26 June named SDT as the winner, followed by Kao$, SCALA and MAMALS. The published standings identify four teams; the earlier publicity does not establish that all eight advertised places were filled. [15]

Further details are covered in Malta Official Paintball League.

Leadership changes in 2011

An announcement headed 16 September 2011 and published the following day reported that Stanley Shaw had resigned as chairman and handed the role to James Bugeja, assisted by Gordon Gouder pending the next general meeting. [14]

The announcement stated that Field Target would receive the airgun group's main attention, while airsoft and paintball would not be put aside. It therefore does not establish that the paintball section had dissolved. [14]

See also

• Paintball in Malta
• Malta Official Paintball League
• Extreme Paintball (Ta' Qali)
• Early history of paintball in Malta

References

1. About MAAC Paintball. Historical organisational account signed by Stanley Shaw, MAAC chairman.
2. MAAC – Paintball Team. MAAC news, 26 November 2009.
3. Happy New Year to All MAAC Members. MAAC news, 5 January 2010.
4. MAAC Paintball – MOPL Tournament. MAAC news, 16 May 2011.
5. Paintball Section. MAAC news, 13 January 2010.
6. MAAC Malta 1st Anual General Meeting. MAAC news, 30 January 2010.
7. MAAC Paintball – Activity. MAAC news, 8 April 2010.
8. MAAC Paintball (Malta). MAAC paintball section, 19 February 2010.
9. MAAC Paintball – Activity. MAAC news, 2 February 2010.
10. MAAC Paintball Team. MAAC news, 21 May 2010. Includes photographs from a completed match.
11. MAAC – Paintball. MAAC news, September 2010. Reports Operation Eclipse on 24 September 2010.
12. MAAC to Transfer from VSR to Hal Far Shooting Range. MAAC news, 12 November 2010.
13. MAAC Schedule. MAAC news, 19 January 2011.
14. MAAC – Announcment 16/9/2011. MAAC newsletter, published 17 September 2011.
15. Malta Official Paintball League Turnament. MAAC Paint Ball, 26 June 2011.