WDP

WDP (also known as Who Dares Plays) is a British paintball business historically associated with the manufacture of the Angel series of electronic paintball markers, the development of Hyperball and the promotion of professional paintball tournaments. The business originated in Birmingham, England, during the late 1980s and was led by Gerard Green, known as Ged Green, and members of the Green family.[1]

WDP became an established manufacturer of tournament paintball equipment during the late 1990s and 2000s. Its products included the Angel marker, Fat Boy paintball pods, compressed-air equipment and accessories.

The company was also involved in organising the World Hyperball Championships and, through its associated company Pure Promotions, producing the National Professional Paintball League (NPPL) Super 7 World Series beginning in 2003.[1][2]

The Angel manufacturing business subsequently operated under the name Angel Paintball Sports (APS), which ceased operations in November 2011. The separately registered WDP Paintball Limited remains active, operating the former National Paintball Fields site at Bassetts Pole, near Birmingham.[3][4]

History

Origins

WDP originated from the paintball activities of Gerard Green and his family in Birmingham.

According to Green's account in a 2003 interview with WARPIG, he first played paintball in 1986 after his brother Matthew organised a recreational outing. The experience encouraged them to establish their own paintball field, National Paintball Fields, which opened in the Birmingham area in 1987.[1][5]

The business subsequently expanded into equipment retailing, distribution and tournament organisation.

Its first manufactured product was the Mamba Coil Remote, introduced during the early 1990s. The coiled hose allowed players to connect a remote CO2 or compressed-air supply to their marker.[1]

WDP also developed the Fat Boy range of paintball pods and grips and distributed equipment from other manufacturers through its European wholesale operations.

Development of Hyperball

During the mid-1990s, WDP developed Hyperball, a tournament paintball format using purpose-built fields constructed from large sections of corrugated plastic pipe.

The format moved competitive paintball away from traditional woodland environments towards more symmetrical arena-style fields designed to improve visibility and spectator access.

WDP introduced Hyperball at a tournament in Birmingham in 1996. According to Gerard Green, the event featured one Hyperball field alongside conventional woodland fields.[1]

A larger tournament followed approximately nine months later, incorporating four arena fields, television production and commercial sponsorship.

Hyperball was subsequently introduced to American competition during the 1996 Paintball World Cup through an arrangement involving Brass Eagle.[6]

The format became an important stage in the development of modern speedball, preceding the widespread use of inflatable tournament bunkers.

Development of the Angel

WDP began developing the Angel electronic paintball marker during the mid-1990s following the involvement of engineer John Rice.

The original Angel V6 prototype was developed before the production marker was released in early 1997.[1][7]

The Angel was among the earliest commercially successful electropneumatic paintball markers, incorporating electronic trigger control, a pneumatic ram and an electronically operated valve system.

The marker was designed primarily for high-pressure air rather than CO2.

Early promotional material identified Brass Eagle as a proposed American distributor, with the marker advertised under the Brass Eagle Angel name. WDP subsequently marketed the Angel independently.[6]

The original Angel established WDP as a manufacturer of premium tournament markers.

Expansion of the Angel range

Following the original Angel, WDP developed several successive marker platforms.

The Angel LCD introduced a programmable electronic interface, while the Angel IR3, announced in January 2002, incorporated revised ergonomics and electronic controls.[8]

The company subsequently released the Angel Speed, A4, G7 and A1 families, among other models.

WDP also developed compressed-air equipment, including the Angel Air system, and supported an international network of dealers and authorised technicians.

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Angel markers were widely used in professional tournament paintball.

The marker's popularity also supported an aftermarket industry producing customised bodies, trigger frames, internal components and other modifications.

Tournament sponsorship

WDP maintained an extensive presence in competitive paintball through team sponsorship, equipment support and promotional activities.

The professional team Avalanche was closely associated with WDP during the early 2000s.[1]

The company provided technical support at major tournaments and sponsored selected players and teams competing in American and European leagues.

Its tournament marketing included Angel Heaven, a hospitality and promotional area for Angel owners, players and industry representatives.

At the 1999 NPPL World Cup, WDP collaborated with Warped Sportz to operate an Angel Heaven players' lounge. Similar displays appeared at subsequent tournaments.[1][9]

WDP also provided financial and equipment support to the Paintball Referee Organization (PRO), established in 2001 to introduce greater independence into tournament refereeing.[1]

Pure Promotions and the NPPL

Following the separation between the NPPL and Paintball Sports Promotions (PSP) ahead of the 2003 season, WDP supported the NPPL's proposed seven-man tournament circuit.

WDP established Pure Promotions to produce the new NPPL Super 7 World Series.

Bart Walkerdine, who had joined WDP during the mid-1990s, led the event production company.[1]

The inaugural tournament took place at Huntington Beach, California, from 7 to 9 February 2003.

The event included five inflatable-bunker fields, spectator facilities, a trade show, television production infrastructure and a dedicated professional playing arena.[2]

Pure Promotions subsequently organised NPPL tournaments at venues throughout the United States.

The company emphasised spectator access, commercial sponsorship, broadcast coverage and the presentation of paintball as a professional sport.

In 2007, the NPPL and Xtreme Paintball Sports League were acquired by Pacific Paintball LLC, ending the previous ownership structure associated with Pure Promotions.[10]

Angel Paintball Sports

During 2007, the Angel manufacturing business adopted the name Angel Paintball Sports (APS) and underwent internal restructuring.

Matthew Green assumed a senior management role, while Bart Walkerdine was associated with the company's executive operations.

The Angel brand continued to market electronic paintball markers, accessories and replacement components.

Products from the later period included the Angel A1 and A1 Fly, along with other developments of the Angel platform.

Angel equipment was distributed internationally, including through Kee Action Sports in the United States.[11]

Closure of Angel Paintball Sports

Angel Paintball Sports ceased operations in November 2011.

On 1 November 2011, a message attributed to an Angel Paintball Sports representative was circulated within the paintball community, stating that the company was ceasing operations and that arrangements were being made to maintain the availability of replacement parts.[3]

The closure ended the original manufacturer's production and development of Angel paintball markers.

Independent technicians, dealers and collectors subsequently continued maintaining and repairing existing markers using remaining inventories and aftermarket components.

The closure of Angel Paintball Sports did not represent the dissolution of every business associated with WDP.

Continuing field operations

The National Paintball Fields business continued operating independently of the discontinued Angel marker manufacturing activities.

The venue subsequently adopted the name NPF Bassetts Pole Adventure Park and expanded its range of recreational activities.

The operating company, WDP Paintball Limited, was incorporated on 28 January 2003 and remains registered as an active company in the United Kingdom.[4]

Its registered office is at National Paintball Fields, London Road, Bassetts Pole, Sutton Coldfield.

The venue continues to offer paintball alongside other outdoor activities.[5]

Products

WDP manufactured and distributed a range of paintball equipment, including:

Angel markers: Electronic tournament markers including the LED, LCD, IR3, Speed, A4, G7 and A1 families.
Angel Air: Compressed-air systems and associated equipment.
Fat Boy: Paintball pods and accessories.
Mamba Coil Remote: Coiled remote gas supply hoses.
Angel accessories: Barrels, grips, replacement components and other equipment.

The Angel series was the company's principal internationally recognised product.[1][7][8]

Historical significance

WDP played a documented role in the development of tournament paintball equipment and competition formats during the 1990s and 2000s.

The Angel helped establish electropneumatic markers as a major category of professional tournament equipment.

The company's development of Hyperball contributed to the transition from woodland tournaments towards purpose-built spectator-oriented fields.

Through Pure Promotions, WDP was also directly involved in the development of the NPPL Super 7 World Series, helping introduce professional tournament production methods and spectator facilities to major American paintball events.

The Angel marker remains a subject of interest among vintage paintball collectors, with surviving examples maintained through specialist technicians and enthusiast communities.

References

Ged Green in the Hot Seat. WARPIG, Bill Mills, 2003. Interview covering WDP's origins, products, Hyperball, sponsorship and Pure Promotions.
Huntington Beach NPPL 2003. WARPIG, 7–9 February 2003. Contemporary report on the inaugural Super 7 tournament and Pure Promotions.
Angel Paintball Closed Down. PBHub, 1 November 2011. Contemporary community discussion reproducing the announcement of Angel Paintball Sports ceasing operations.
WDP Paintball Limited. Companies House, United Kingdom. Official company registration and status.
NPF Bassetts Pole Adventure Park. Official website. History and current paintball field operations.
The History of Paintball. ANSgear. Historical overview covering Hyperball and the introduction of the Angel.
A Look at the WDP Angel. WARPIG, Paul Mavor. Contemporary technical review of the original Angel.
WDP Announces Angel IR3. WARPIG, WDP press release, January 2002.
Mardi Gras Open 2001. WARPIG. Contemporary event coverage documenting WDP's Angel Heaven promotional display.
NPPL to be Liquidated. WARPIG, Bill Mills, 2 December 2008. Historical account of Pure Promotions and the subsequent sale of the NPPL.
PSP World Cup 2007. WARPIG, October 2007. Contemporary coverage of Angel equipment distribution through Kee Action Sports.

External links