Editing WDP (section)

== 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]