Early history of paintball in Malta

Early history of paintball in Malta is documented through company records, planning applications, contemporary reporting, archived commercial websites, online discussions and community publications. These sources record a paintball-related company incorporated in 1998, a field proposal submitted in 1999 and recreational activity during the following decade. The incorporation and planning dates do not establish when paintball was first played in Malta. [1][2]

Early business and planning records

The historical Malta corporate-registry dataset published by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists records the incorporation of SP.E.A.R. Games Ltd on 3 December 1998. This is a company-registration milestone rather than a confirmed opening date for the later Spear Games Paintball operation. [1]

Planning application PA/01439/99 proposed changing a film-production site at Triq ir-Rinella, Kalkara, into a paintball field. The Planning Authority's public database records receipt of the application on 22 March 1999 and validation on 19 April 1999. [2]

The application was for outline development permission on land outside the development zone. The database records a decision to grant permission on 12 April 2000. The permission establishes an approved proposal; it does not establish whether the development was implemented or when games began. [2]

Ricasoli planning report, 2003

On 6 May 2003, the Times of Malta reported planning approval for the conversion of a derelict field adjoining the Mediterranean Film Studios at Ricasoli into a paintball facility. The report described a hearing held the previous day. [3]

The article did not identify the paintball operator. The available records do not establish the relationship between this approval, application PA/01439/99 and the later Spear Games operation. [2][3]

Recreational activity, 2005

The June 2005 issue of The Dental Probe, published by the Dental Association of Malta, proposed a paintball outing for members. The advertised activity involved groups of ten, 30 minutes of play and 250 paintballs, priced at Lm13 per person. Dates remained undecided and the activities depended on sufficient interest. The notice did not name a venue or confirm that the outing subsequently took place. [4]

Player accounts and field development, 2005–2006

In November 2005, PbNation user karl101 sought help locating the serial number on a ViewLoader Prodigy E-Grip marker, reporting that it was being held at customs. The user also supplied a link to a manufacturer's diagram in an attempt to identify the number's location. [5]

In a further discussion in November 2006, the same user identified Malta as their country and described importing the marker from Bulgaria. According to the account, customs and police enquiries over its serial number had delayed its release; the user subsequently collected it after paying taxes and a licence fee. The post also described taking the marker to an unnamed paintball field. These statements document the participant's reported experience rather than an official account of the licensing procedure. [6]

On 12 June 2006, PbNation user clutch_kick asked whether ANS markers carried engraved serial numbers, explaining that local police licensing required a serial number. In a subsequent reply, the user identified Malta as their location and stated that they were establishing a paintball field while considering an ANS X5 for personal use. The posts did not identify the proposed field's name or location, or confirm that it subsequently opened. [7][8]

Commercial and community activity, 2007–2008

An archived S.P.E.A.R. Games website captured in May 2007 advertised paintball bookings and rental equipment. Its location page placed the playing site on St Rocco Street, Kalkara, beside the entrance to the Mediterranean Film Studios water tanks. These pages provide direct evidence of the operator's advertised services and location by that date. [9][10]

On 12 September 2008, the blog Like nomads, but with more stuff published an entry titled Paintball request. Its author, identified as Terry, responded to an earlier enquiry about paintball in Malta and offered to introduce the reader to the person organising the group's events. The entry did not identify the organiser, venue or playing format. [11]

Contemporary reporting also documents recreational use of a venue described as the Rinella Paintball Facility. On 12 November 2008, the Times of Malta reported a paintball outing involving members of the Sirens junior section. [12]

Maltese-language community record

The 2012 festa publication of Għaqda Karmelitana Banda Queen Victoria, Żurrieq, includes a youth-section report by Gordon Sammut. In its account of Christmas-season activities, the Maltese-language report records a turnew tal-Paintball organised in Kalkara. [13]

The passage documents a community paintball tournament but does not identify the field operator, participating teams, results or exact playing date. The publication year should therefore be distinguished from the date of the activity. [13]

See also

• Paintball in Malta
• Spear Games Paintball
• Regulation of paintball in Malta

References

1. SP.E.A.R. Games Ltd. International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, historical Malta corporate-registry dataset, information stated current through 2016.
2. Planning application PA/01439/99. Planning Authority, public application database; received 22 March 1999, outline permission granted 12 April 2000. Inspected 27 October 2026.
3. Sliema hotel extension given the green light. Times of Malta, 6 May 2003. Includes reporting on the Ricasoli paintball proposal.
4. Activities. The Dental Probe, Dental Association of Malta, June 2005, p. 3. University of Malta repository.
5. Customers say the darndest things: VL Prodigy E Grip Help URGENTLY. PbNation, posts by karl101, November 2005, posts 986–987.
6. Tank ! worthed ?. PbNation, post by karl101, 27 November 2006, post 11.
7. ANS X-5 autocockers?. PbNation, post by clutch_kick concerning serial numbers and police licensing, 12 June 2006, post 15.
8. ANS X-5 autocockers?. PbNation, post by clutch_kick identifying Malta and describing a field being established, 12 June 2006, post 17.
9. S.P.E.A.R. Games: home page. Internet Archive capture, 21 May 2007.
10. S.P.E.A.R. Games: location. Internet Archive capture, 21 May 2007.
11. Paintball request. Terry, Like nomads, but with more stuff, 12 September 2008.
12. Sirens launch drive to boost junior section. Times of Malta, 12 November 2008.
13. Festa 2012. Għaqda Karmelitana Banda Queen Victoria, Żurrieq, 2012, p. 83, youth-section report by Gordon Sammut. Maltese-language report; consulted through the searchable text transcription.