Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League

ATWL Info Meeting

2012-01-27T19:41:00.001-04:00

There will be an Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League information meeting Saturday January 28th at 2:00 at Henry Schein, 2 Bluewater Rd Bedford, NS.
If you are interested in entering a team, or just interested to see what the league is all about we would love to see you there.

2012 ATWL Dates

2012-01-27T19:40:00.002-04:00

Here are the dates for 2012 ATWL

ATWL #1 - May 5 Mersey Road Paintball
ATWL #2 - June 9 Hypersportz Paintball
ATWL #3 - September 8 - Field to be Determined
ATWL #4 - October 13 - Mersey Road Paintball

New Teams Welcome

2012-01-17T11:07:00.001-04:00

The ATWL has openings for new teams to play the most exciting woodsball league in eastern Canada. If you are interested in having your team play in the Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League send us an email: mail@atwl.ca

Zombies vs Humans Rescheduled to November 11th

2011-10-30T11:49:00.003-03:00

Due to the sever weather the Zombies vs Humans scenario at Mersey Road Paintball has been rescheduled to November 11th.

The Tippinators respect the sacrifice made by veterans, and thank the currently serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces for all they have given so we can enjoy our way of life. The game will not begin until the conclusion of the Remembrance Day ceremony starting at 11:00am

Zombies vs Humans Scenario Game

2011-10-24T10:26:00.000-03:00

The Experiment Begins Woodsball Event

2011-10-11T09:52:00.002-03:00

October 30th
Mersey Road Paintball
Registration opens at 9:00
First Experiment begins at 10:30.
Field fee: $10, air included, co2 extra
paint: $20/bag

The Experiment

Initial zombie force 10% of total players
When a human is bitten(shot) the body is sent to the morgue and immediately reanimates as a zombie.
When a zombie is killed he goes to the graveyard where he must wait for nightfall to rise again (respawn every 10 mins)
total game time 90 mins

Objectives:

Humans:

The helicopter is your only source of salvation now, but that piece of junk hasn’t flown in years, the engine needs a tune up and even if you got that working you would still need to salvage 3 fuel cells to get her airborne. But that isn’t even the biggest problem, even if you fix the engine that’s broken, and find enough fuel that was hard to come by even before the apocalypse you still would be flying blind without a nav computer.
Your scouts are due back in 10 minutes, with them they will have intel on the location of all the items you require, the mindless brain gobblers wont have a clue what you are trying to accomplish.
To escape certain death you must find all 5 of these components and get them to the helicopter.

Zombies:

BRAINS.... need i say more?
Okay i will say a little more, the zombie infection will be ruled unstoppable when the human survivors have dwindled to %10 of their starting forces, at this time the fractured world government will nuke the site from orbit to prevent the spread of the epidemic.

Predators Win ATWL Championship

2011-10-04T14:45:00.000-03:00

The Tippmann X7 Phenom Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League (ATWL) playoffs and championship were played on Saturday October 1, 2011 at the official field of the league Mersey Road Paintball in East River Nova Scotia, Canada.

Players woke on October 1st to torrential rains and high winds generated by Hurricane Ophelia off the coast. After perfect weather during the first three events players needed an entirely different skill set to play in low visibility, when paint was much less accurate and water would get into everything.

The league used a simple playoff format. The first place team from the regular season played against the fourth place team, while the second place team played the third place team. The winner from each game would advance to the championship.

To eliminate any kind of field layout advantage the teams played each other twice, once from either end of the field. The game format from the regular season continued in the playoffs, a team would earn points for every minute they held one of the three flag stations during a 20 minute match.

The first game of the day was an exciting match between the Moncton Spartans and the home field Mersey Road Predators. The fourth place Spartans held a slim lead until the last five minutes of the match. At the end of the game the Predators pushed forward, taking all flag stations, winning the match - 185 to 100.

The second match was a battle of past champions. The 2010 champion Anthraxx fighting against the 2009 champion Nova Scotia Mercenaries. Anthraxx started the match strong quickly capturing all flag stations. The Mercenaries were unable to mount any sustained pressure, and were beaten by Anthraxx - 160 to 60

In match three the Predators picked their game up a notch to defeat the Spartans - 250 to 60. The point total for both matches gave the Predators a win for the game and a spot in the championship.

The final spot in the championship would be decided in the second match between Anthraxx and the NS Mercenaries. The Mercenaries had a large deficit to overcome after the first match but were confident that their previous experience would help propel them to the finals.

The Mercenaries experience and poise showed as the team pushed hard from the start of the match to take the initiative away from Anthraxx. The defending champs Anthraxx battled their way back into the game but a rush made by the Mercs at the end handed Anthraxx a defeat. The Mercenaries prevailed but would they earn enough points to overcome the Anthraxx lead from match one and advance to the championship.

Soggy teams sat nervously in the staging area, while the referee squad totalled the points from the playoff round. When score sheets compiled and the points tallied, the incredible effort and heroic play of the Mercenaries in match four came up just short. The Mercenaries won match two but Team Anthraxx defeated the Mercenaries by a mere 60 points overall.

The championship was set between Anthraxx and the Mersey Road Predators. The bronze medal would be fought for by the Nova Scotia Mercenaries and Moncton Spartans.

After a short break to clean the fog out of goggles, retape porting and electronics, the water logged teams took to the field for the final four match climax of the 2011 ATWL season.

The bronze medal matches were the closest of the season. The Spartans upped their game with the end of the season in sight, and traded matches with the Mercenaries. The Spartans gave it their all but the former champs were too strong. The Mercenaries emerged victorious capturing the bronze medal.

The long season came down to two matches to decide the 2011 ATWL champions. Both the Predators and Anthraxx played a cautious style in first match. It looked like neither team wanted to make a mistake that would cost them the championship. The first match ended with the Predators doubling up on Anthraxx 160 to 80.

The final match of the season, and the match that would decide the champion, was the exact opposite of the first match between Anthraxx and the Predators. Right from the opening horn both team charged headlong through the rain into a hail of paint. The match showcased the talent and aggressiveness of Atlantic Canadian paintballers.

The final match was a battle back and forth with multiple flag changes, aggressive fire and movement, and bunkering moves. In the end the Mersey Road Predators came out on top to become the 2011 Tippmann X7 Phenom Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League Champions.

Prior to the awards ceremony League Commissioner Bruce Johnston of the Tippinators was pleased to see spontaneous of handshakes and back slaps between the players.

“Having the players standing in the pouring rain exchanging congratulation was great to see.” said Johnston “It shows that the players are here for competition, but more importantly, to have a great time playing paintball”

The first award given out was the one Johnston considered to be the most important, The Most Sportsmanlike Player was awarded to Jeff Barrieau of the Moncton Spartans.

“Whether his team was up or down, Jeff gave it all he had every time he was on the field.” Johnston commented, “If you want to know the right way to play paintball, watch this guy [Barrieau]”. For his efforts Barrieau received a trophy, marker and tee shirt provided by PBL Sports.

League sponsor PBL Action Sports from Montreal Quebec, also supplied markers and shirts awarded to team captains; Jim Langlois of the first place Predators, Ryan Cox of second place Anthraxx, and Kevin Whynot of the third place Mercenaries.

The ATWL’s lead sponsor Tippmann Sports supplied the prizes for the winning teams. Tippmann provided t-shirts for the third place Mercenaries, digi cam NXe 4+3+3 woodsball harnesses for second place Anthraxx and markers for the championship Predators.

The Tippinators would like to thank the players for putting on a great show and the sponsors for their generous support in 2011. The Tipps are already organizing the 2012 season which we know will be even better, rain or shine.

All the league photos are posted to Facebook - AWTL photos on Facebook

2011 ATWL Championship Photos Posted

2011-10-02T20:54:00.002-03:00

Photos from the exciting, albeit rain soaked, ATWL Playoffs and Championship have been posted to the league's Facebook page.

Umbrella Corporation Gives Flu Shots

2011-10-02T10:17:00.000-03:00

The Tippmann X7 Phenom Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League was pleased to have a representative of the Umbrella Corporation come out to the field and dispense flu shots free to any player in the league at event 4.Though the vaccine was free, the Umbrella staff were at a loss to explain why they were all wearing gas masks.

Umbrella officials denied there was a connection in the reports of a number of players who received an injection and felt a sudden, uncontrollable urge to play video games designed by Capcom.

Any ATWL players who feel any kind of strange side effect are asked to immediately contact the Umbrella Corporation and make arrangements to sign a waiver.

Mersey Road Predators Win ATWL Regular Season

2011-09-22T16:10:00.003-03:00

Congratulations to the Mersey Road Predators on winning the Tippmann X7 Phenom Tactical Woodsball League’s (ATWL) regular season. The Predators came out strong and won two key games at event 3 to clinch the regular season crown.

The best woodsball players in Atlantic Canada converged on Overkill Sportz in Mount Uniacke to play ATWL event 3 on September 17, 2011 after a two month hiatus. “It was nice to have July and August free for the family,” commented Predators Captain James Langlois, “but that just made my players even hungrier to get back on the field.”

A considerable amount of work was preformed on the Overkill Sportz woodsball field during the summer break. The entire top half of the field had been cleared of brush and reorganized. The changes put a premium on player fire and movement skills leaving the bottom of the field for players who prefer sneaking over fire superiority.

“The Predators fought hard all year and deserved to win the league.” said League Commissioner Bruce Johnston of the Tippinators. “They will now have an advantage heading into the playoffs.”

A new playoff system will be introduced to the league this season. Playoff match ups will be based on a team’s finish during the regular season, first vs eight, second vs seventh etc. Teams play each other once from each end of the field, the winner advances to the next round.

Johnston commented on event 4, “This exciting new playoff format will ensure that chance is taken out of the equation and the best team will be crowned champion.”

The playoffs and championship games will be play at the league’s official field Mersey Road Paintball on October 1st. Can team Anthraxx repeat as champions? Will the Mercenaries wrestle the trophy they hoisted two years ago back to their possession? Or will an all new league champion be crowned? Just one more week until all questions about the 2011 ATWL championship will be answered.

..:: Visit the Tippinators Official Website - www.tippinators.com for up to date news and official information about the team. ::..

Regular Season Final Standings

2011-09-17T23:28:00.003-03:00

Congratulation Mersey Road Predators on finishing the ATWL regular season in first place.

		Game Points	Win / Loss
1	Predators	2545	18
2	Mercenaries	2245	16
3	Anthraxx	1941	14
4	Moncton Spartans	570	2

2011-09-17T14:05:00.001-03:00

Event 3 is in the books. Thank you players for a fantastic day of paintball.

2011-09-17T14:03:00.001-03:00

Last game of the day Mercenaries 145 Spartans 40

2011-09-17T13:36:00.001-03:00

A third shutout, Predators 190 Anthraxx 0

2011-09-17T12:59:00.003-03:00

Next up is Anthraxx and Predators

2011-09-17T12:59:00.001-03:00

Anthraxx 145 Spartans 0

2011-09-17T12:35:00.001-03:00

Spartans and Anthraxx ready to play. Horn in 60 seconds.

2011-09-17T12:32:00.001-03:00

In a preview of the playoffs the Mercenaries 150 Predators 105

2011-09-17T11:42:00.001-03:00

Final score is another shut out. Predators 270 Spartans 0

2011-09-17T11:32:00.001-03:00

Predators have all three flags. Spartans are making a push with 2 minutes remaining.

2011-09-17T11:19:00.001-03:00

Predators vs Spartans, Predators have just captured 2 flag. Ferocious fight for the 3rd.

2011-09-17T11:06:00.001-03:00

Wow. A shut out. Anthrax 155 Mercenaries 0

2011-09-17T11:03:00.001-03:00

Tight game Anthraxx vs Mercenaries. Score being added now.

2011-09-17T10:33:00.001-03:00

Final horn has blown. Predators 245 Spartans 15

2011-09-17T10:21:00.001-03:00

Predators capture all 3 flags. 15 minutes remaining

2011-09-17T10:16:00.001-03:00

Game 2 underway Spartans vs Predators

2011-09-17T10:01:00.001-03:00

Mercenaries 135 Anthraxx 110

2011-09-17T10:00:00.001-03:00

Game 1 over. For the first time the center flag decided the game.

2011-09-17T09:45:00.001-03:00

Great game Anthraxx vs Mercenaries. Multiple flag changes. Lots of paint in the air.

2011-09-17T09:27:00.001-03:00

Event 3 about to start

ATWL Event 3 Only 4 Days Away

2011-09-13T08:28:00.002-03:00

Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League event 3 will be played this Saturday September 17th at Overkill Sports in Mount Uniacke, NS.

The league is in the stretch run. Players are competing for not only the ATWL Championship but for a pile of prizes from Tippmann Sports and PBL Action Sports. Here is a small sample of the swag available:

Trophies, Medals, Shirts, Harnesses, Markers
The largest prize pool ever in Atlantic Canada woodsball

Good luck to all the teams playing Saturday.

$6000 in Prizes for ATWL Players

2011-07-29T11:10:00.000-03:00

The 2011 Tippmann X7 Phenom - Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League season is half over, which means there is still half a season to play the best woodsball in Eastern Canada. The leagues players are taking the summer off to sharpen their skills and get ready for Event III Sept 17th at Overkill Sportz and Event IV Oct 1st - Playoffs and Championship at Mersey Road Paintball.

Since the playoffs will be here before we know it the league is in the process of gathering together the prizes for the teams now. League’s title sponsor Tippmann Sports (www.tippmann.com), major sponsor PBL Action Sports (www.buypbl.com), and local sponsor Nova Trophy (www.novatrophy.com) have been incredibly generous to the league and donated over $6000.00 worth of prizes.

It is difficult for a woodsballer like me to appreciate how much paintball equipment and prizes it takes to make up $6000.00. When you get everything together in one room it is truly amazing to see that much gear and in exactly how high a regard our sponsors see you, the players.

The format change this season means that ANY team has a chance to become the 2011 ATWL Champion and claim their share of over $6000.00 in prizes. It is going to be an exciting end to a great season.

ATWL Season Reaches Mid Point

2011-06-22T21:00:00.003-03:00

Event two of the Tippmann X7 Phenom Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League (ATWL) season was scheduled to be played on Saturday June 18, 2011 at Overkill Sportz, Mount Uniacke Nova Scotia, despite mother natures attempt to wash out the event.

Heavy rain and high wind the week prior to the event left the field in less than ideal condition. Thankfully players from the home field team Anthraxx took the initiative, cleared debris, repaired bunkers and addressed any unsafe areas of the field.

Event two was expected to be an interesting one because the league plays, rain or shine, and severe thunderstorms and heavy winds were forecast game day. If the forecast held players would have an opportunity to test their abilities in wet weather which requires a significantly different set of skills from fair weather play.

Players awoke on game day to hear the forecast had been revised and the rain was due to start late in the day. The improved forecast improved the mood of the players who excitedly prepared for the opening horn.

Event two marked the first time updates were fed live to the ATWL’s blog, Facebook and Twitter pages. Players in the staging area, and league fans from around the world, were be able to keep up to date on game scores, flag captures and big plays as they happened.

The first match of the day was team Anthraxx against the Moncton Spartans. The Spartans with their new uniforms were in the running for the best dressed team award. Players from other teams were glued to their smart phones watching for live updates to see how the updates could be used to gain an advantage during their games.

As the day progressed teams saw the live updates as useful to know the league standings and how they should approach an upcoming game, rather than a tactical tool during game play.

A hard day of paintball left all team exhausted from running through the wet field. All teams played well and the final standings were in doubt right down to the last game. When the final horn sounded new teams had taken over the top of the leader board with only 80 points separating the top two teams.

Defending champion team Anthraxx started the day strong but lost their edge as the day progressed. Anthraxx unexpectedly fell in the standings from first down to third place by the end of event 2.

The 2009 league champion Nova Scotia Mercenaries played their best paintball of the season and had taken over the league lead from Anthraxx. The Mercenaries although in first held a very tenuous lead over the Mersey Road Predator close behind.

Even though the rain held off for the day, the affect of the wet spring was evident in parts of the field. One player’s comment summed the center portion of the field perfectly, “The field today was mud...Rocks...Roots...Mud covered rocks....Mud covered roots….And even mud covered mud.”

The end of event two marks the half way point of the season. The teams now have the summer off to play, practice and perfect their woodsball skills prior to the start of the run for the championship at event three in September at Overkill Sportz once again.

The Nova Scotia Mercenaries are currently leading the Tippmann X7 Phenom Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League, but the new playoff format introduced this season means the championship is up for grabs by any team that has the desire to take it away from five of the best woodsball teams in Canada.

*Place*	*Team*	*Game Points*	*W/L Points*
1	Mercenaries	2110	14
2	Predators	2030	14
3	Anthraxx	1676	12
4	Halifax City United	1040	6
5	Moncton Spartans	555	2
6	TACSAT Paintball	50	0

Standings After 2 Events

2011-06-18T16:50:00.002-03:00

Event 2 of the Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League (ATWL) is complete. Thank you everyone for a great day of paintball. The teams fought hard and the results were in doubt right down to the end. When the final horn sounded only 80 points separate the top two teams.

*Place*	*Team*	*Game Points*	*W/L Points*
1	Mercenaries	2110	14
2	Predators	2030	14
3	Anthraxx	1676	12
4	Halifax City United	1040	6
5	Moncton Spartans	555	2
6	TACSAT Paintball	50	0

2011-06-18T13:14:00.001-03:00

Predators - 250
Anthraxx - 50

2011-06-18T13:11:00.001-03:00

Anthraxx takes left flag. 2 minutes left

2011-06-18T12:59:00.001-03:00

Predators have 2 flags Anthraxx 1

2011-06-18T12:56:00.001-03:00

Predators take center flag

2011-06-18T12:48:00.001-03:00

Anthraxx takes center flag

2011-06-18T12:47:00.001-03:00

Anthraxx makes a dash for the center flag from the start. Player hit just before hanging.

2011-06-18T12:44:00.001-03:00

Next match Predators and Anthraxx

2011-06-18T12:38:00.001-03:00

Mercenaries - 220
Spartans - 110

2011-06-18T12:31:00.001-03:00

Mercs take center flag they now control the field

2011-06-18T12:30:00.003-03:00

Mercenaries have taken the left flag

2011-06-18T12:30:00.001-03:00

Spartans have pushed through and captured the center and left flags

2011-06-18T12:23:00.003-03:00

Spartans being pushed to the respawn

2011-06-18T12:23:00.001-03:00

Mercenaries take right and left flags

2011-06-18T12:17:00.001-03:00

Mercenaries take center at the same time Spartans took the right flag

2011-06-18T12:14:00.001-03:00

Spartans throw smoke and use the cover to take the center flag

2011-06-18T12:05:00.003-03:00

Next game is Spartans and the Mercenaries

2011-06-18T12:05:00.001-03:00

Predators - 265
Anthraxx - 20

2011-06-18T11:51:00.001-03:00

Predatos take center flag

2011-06-18T11:46:00.001-03:00

Anthraxx pulled center flag but could not set their own

2011-06-18T11:44:00.001-03:00

Predators have all flags. Anthraxx trying to counter attack

2011-06-18T11:40:00.003-03:00

Predators have right flag

2011-06-18T11:40:00.001-03:00

Predators have center flag

2011-06-18T11:28:00.001-03:00

Half time nearly over, next up are Anthraxx and Mersey Road Predators

2011-06-18T11:12:00.001-03:00

NS Mercenaries - 290
Halifax City United - 55

2011-06-18T10:58:00.001-03:00

HCU takes right flag. HCU's Chris Coolen successfully pushing the center solo.

2011-06-18T10:56:00.001-03:00

Mercs have all flags

2011-06-18T10:53:00.001-03:00

Mercs hang right side flag

2011-06-18T10:46:00.001-03:00

Mercs have center flag. HCU shot my blackberry

2011-06-18T10:38:00.001-03:00

Next up Mercs and HCU

2011-06-18T10:37:00.001-03:00

Anthraxx - 200
Spartans - 95

2011-06-18T10:27:00.001-03:00

Anthraxx pushing last flag

2011-06-18T10:26:00.001-03:00

Anthraxx takes center

2011-06-18T10:22:00.001-03:00

Flags still one per team. Great action in the center

2011-06-18T10:12:00.001-03:00

Anthraxx captures left flag

2011-06-18T10:03:00.003-03:00

Next up Anthraxx and Spartans

2011-06-18T10:03:00.001-03:00

Nova Scotia Mercenaries - 375
Halifax City United - 0

2011-06-18T09:44:00.001-03:00

HCU trying to push out of spawn

2011-06-18T09:38:00.001-03:00

Mercs have all flags

2011-06-18T09:37:00.001-03:00

Mercs have center and right flag

2011-06-18T09:35:00.001-03:00

HCU sent whole team left off the break

2011-06-18T09:27:00.001-03:00

Next up Halifax City United vs Mercenaries

2011-06-18T09:25:00.001-03:00

Anthraxx 320
Spartans 0

2011-06-18T09:09:00.001-03:00

Spartans pushing left tape

2011-06-18T09:06:00.001-03:00

Anthraxx captures center flag

2011-06-18T09:01:00.001-03:00

Anthraxx has 2 flags still fighting for center flag

2011-06-18T09:00:00.001-03:00

Heavy fight for center flag

2011-06-18T08:55:00.001-03:00

Event 2 is underway

2011-06-18T08:08:00.001-03:00

Due to TACsat not attending E2 all games will be move up on the schedule.

2011-06-18T07:07:00.001-03:00

Unfortunately due to injuries TACSat Paintball has to withdraw from event 2.

2011-06-17T20:28:00.001-03:00

The field is set up and ATWL event 2 is ready to go tomorrow morning.

A special thanks to team Anthraxx for cleaning the debris off the field. Without their hard work event 2 would not be possible. Great work guys.

HCU Interview 68Caliber.com

2011-06-10T11:26:00.003-03:00

Playing X-Ball in the Woods? YES!

originally posted on 68Caliber.com June 10,2011

Bruce ‘Charon’ Johnston interviews Canadian X-Ball Team Halifax City United and their commitment to step back into the woods at the ATWL. (And don’t forget to check out the image gallery after the interview!)

Interview by Bruce Johnston

Halifax City United (HCU), one of the best xball teams in Canada, is heading back to their roots by playing in the Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League (ATWL). Bruce ‘Charon’ Johnston from 68Caliber.com sat down with Gilbert Rossingol from HCU to find out why the CXBL is invading the ATWL.

Bruce ‘Charon’ Johnston (68Caliber): Why is a team playing in Canada’s professional xball league, the Canadian Xtreme Paintball League (CXBL), playing in a regional woodsball league?

Halifax City United (HCU): We’re a strong believer that to be really good at paintball, you need to be good at all aspects of the sport. Playing woodsball will help us improve some skills that you can’t get on the speedball field. We also like to mix things up a little bit, doing the same breakout time and time again can get repetitive and boring, what better way to mix it up, then be in the woods.

68Caliber: I see a few Halifax City United players at different woodsball, and scenario events. Will this be the first time your entire xball team has played woodsball together?

HCU: Together, yes. Five HCU players played together in the ATWL last year, and every event, we would bring out different speedball players to play with us. Each player had the same reaction, this is AWESOME. A few of us also like to attend the annual Risk event hosted by the Tippinators at Mersey Road. However we attend them with a different intent then most players. I try to get the guys to command a squad or group of players, reinforcing their teamwork and communication skills.

68Caliber: I know that you have a few US based pro players who play with you in the CXBL. Is there any chance we might see a big name US player on your ATWL team?

HCU: You can never really be too sure about what the future holds. We have some friends that play for just about every pro team out there. This year, we have players from VICIOUS playing with us, VICIOUS is also playing UWL. They actually won their first pro UWL event in Mesquite, NV.

68Caliber: All players are asked to wear matching jerseys to play ATWL. Your CXBL jerseys are not exactly tactical. Can we expect to see you running in red and white this season or will you get something a little woodsier?

HCU: You can expect to see us in matching CXBL uniforms at the first event. We’ll see how that works out for us. If, for whatever reason, we can’t blend in to our surroundings we will make the necessary changes before event two.

68Caliber: Most people don’t want to bang a $1300 Ego 11 around in the woods. Will your guys be changing any of your equipment to play competitive woodsball?

HCU: Absolutely not. The whole idea of playing ATWL is for our players to get used to playing in different positions, different bunkers, player swill learn nothing if we are using different gear. There’s a reason we all shoot Planet Eclipse markers, we require reliability, accuracy and efficiency, so we shoot what we consider the best in all three.

68Caliber: In xball the playing area is rather confined, and you know approximately where the other team might be. How will you change your tactics to overcome the larger playing area?

HCU: Tactics are something I don’t want to get too much into, but the principles won’t be much different. In xball a back center controls your mid and front players, we will use the same idea in the woods, except that we may have two or three back centers.

68Caliber: The ATWL is a ten man league. Most xball teams have two, five man lines. Will your entire CXBL roster be playing woodsball?

HCU: Everyone on our CXBL roster, minus the players from VICIOUS, will be in attendance at the first ATWL event. As I mentioned above, it is important to expand on your skills list, and we require everyone to be playing.

68Caliber: Halifax City United players have considerable skill and experience playing xball / speedball. Do you think individual skills will translate into woodsball?

HCU: Of course, but like everyone else we’re still learning, progressing, and woodsball is another aspect we need to work on.

68Caliber: What most woodsball players don’t know is penalties in xball can determine the outcome of a game. The CXBL has very strict rules and even fines for playing infractions. How do you plan to dispel the belief that all speedballers are wipers and whiners?

HCU: When you play with the HCU shield on your chest, you must play with honesty and integrity. We take our showing on and off the field very seriously. You don’t only represent yourself, but you represent your teammates, your city, and most importantly your sponsors. I can’t comment on other teams, but you shouldn’t see any HCU penalties.

68Caliber: More than once I have heard players talking in the staging area talking about how they can’t wait to “light up” the speedballers. How does it feel to know players are gunning specifically for you, and your team?

HCU: Well, I would hope they are. We are the ten players on the other side of the field. I think it adds a bit of fuel to the fire and makes us want to play better.

68Caliber: Come on now, tell the truth. You guys are really out to prove speedballers are better than woodsballers aren’t you?

HCU: Absolutely, our entire goal is to remove woodsballers from the paintball equation. Our hope is to beat them down so badly they won’t ever want to come back. [breaks into laughter] I’m just kidding. We are playing ATWL to have fun and work on some team skills.

68Caliber: Is there anything that you would like people to know that I might have missed?

HCU: First of all, thanks Bruce for the opportunity, we look forward to seeing you on the field. I’d like to say thanks to all of our sponsors, DSSP8NTBALL.com, KEE, EMPIRE, Planet Eclipse, ProPaintball.com, and GR Paintball. Thanks for your continued support. If you want to read about how we are doing in the CXBL, make sure you check our xball.com or propaintball.com.

You can follow Halifax City United and the rest of the Tippmann X7 Phenom Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League, on Twitter or friend us on Facebook to get up to date information plus game day updates and scores. You can read more posts by Bruce here on his page

2011 ATWL Season Underway

2011-06-05T00:04:00.007-03:00

The Tippmann X7 Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League has been the premiere woodsball league in Eastern Canada since 2007. After four successful seasons the league was taken over by the Tippinators at the end of 2010, who immediately prepared for 2011.

"Our goal with the ATWL is to give players the most professional woodsball league in Canada." said Bruce 'Charon' Johnston, Tippinators Captain and ATWL Commissioner. "The Tippinators have taken over the league with the sole goal of moving the ATWL forward and improving the player's experience."

An expanded field of six teams were ready to bring their woodsball skills to the field in an attempt to capture the 2011 ATWL championship title. "We are excited to have expanded to a six team league." commented Johnston. "This will be an intense season of woodsball."

The 2010 Champions Team Anthraxx will come out of the gate strong to defend their title and attempt to be the first team since the Tippinators in 2007 and 2008 to win back to back titles.

Nova Scotia Mercenaries, the 2010 runners up, will settle for nothing less than regaining the championship they held in 2009.

Mersey Road Predators, are strong contenders for the 2011 title. After a respectable third place finish in 2010, during their rookie year, the Predators have strengthened their roster and built a team ready for a run at the championship.

Coming from the Canadian Xtreme Paintball League, Halifax City United, has ventured for the first time from Canada’s professional xball league to the woods of the ATWL. We all eagerly wait to see if xball skills will transfer into the woods.

An unknown commodity, the Moncton Spartans from New Brunswick joining the league has made the ATWL a truly regional league. The Spartan players have speedball and woodsball experience, no one in the league knows how they will stack up against the rest of the league.

From a group of friends running around the woods on Sunday, to playing in the CX4 xball league and now the ATWL, TACSat Paintball has expanded their roster and sharpened their skills but will it be enough to overcome the best in the Maritimes.

The long winter wait was over and the first event of the Tippmann X7 Phenom Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League was held on May 28, 2011 at Mersey Road Paintball, East River Nova Scotia.

For the first time ever the ATWL’s site, Facebook and Twitter were updated live from the field. Significant field developments were updated while the games were in progress plus official games scores were added before the next two teams took the field.

"ATWL event one was some of the best woodsball I have seen played in a long time." stated Chris Landry, ATWL Head Referee and Tippinators player, "If players are this good now I can’t wait for the rest of the season."

After a long day of battles and intense paintball action, the teams with previous competitive woodsball experience fared better than teams new to the league.

"You could see the experienced teams moving more confidently around the field." Johnston commented on the play during event 1. "There is a steep learning curve in competitive woodsball. I am sure by the playoffs and championship all teams will be running at full speed."

Be sure to follow the league on Twitter or friend us on Facebook to get up to date game day information and scores.

ATWL Standing After Event 1

2011-05-28T23:01:00.005-03:00

Event 1 photos have been posted to the ATWL's Facebook Page

*Place*	*Team*	*Game Points*	*W/L Points*
1	Anthraxx	1086	8
2	Predators	945	6
3	Mercenaries	865	6
4	Halifax City United	415	2
5	Moncton Spartans	350	2
6	TACSAT Paintball	50	0

ATWL E1 Update

2011-05-28T15:55:00.006-03:00

Event is over. Thank you players for a great day

2011-05-28T15:55:00.005-03:00

Predators 280 - Mercenaries 0

2011-05-28T15:19:00.002-03:00

Spartans 175 - HCU 90

2011-05-28T14:53:00.003-03:00

Spartans take center flag

2011-05-28T14:43:00.002-03:00

Anthraxx 165 - TACSat 0

2011-05-28T14:09:00.002-03:00

Mercenaries 220 - Predators 20

2011-05-28T13:33:00.002-03:00

Halifax City United 185 - Spartans 120

2011-05-28T13:01:00.002-03:00

Anthraxx 350 - TACSat 15

2011-05-28T12:55:00.002-03:00

Anthraxx captures all 3 flags. 5 mins left.

2011-05-28T12:35:00.002-03:00

Second half under way

2011-05-28T12:08:00.002-03:00

Predators 270 - Spartans 55

2011-05-28T11:54:00.002-03:00

Predators capture all 3 flags

2011-05-28T11:50:00.002-03:00

Predators 1 flag - Spartans 1 flag - 1 Neutral