We have been working real hard through the off season trying to make some HUGE improvements to the league - and we think that once you see what we've done, you'll be as excited about the upcoming season as we are! There are still some things we are finishing up - and that includes finalizing all of the locations - BUT we are hoping that what you see here will hold you over until everything is finalized (if it helps, all events will be held in MA)! As always, The NEPL strives to be The league that gives you the big tournament experience with the local event price.

2008 will see many changes - not only to the NEPL and Boston Paintball but to the industry as a whole. While participation continues to grow at larger fields who offer something to consumers that they cannot find anywhere else, smaller fields and stores are really feeling the crunch. It is with this in mind - as both field / store owners and tournament promoters that we have taken a new approach to what we hope will start a trend of sorts. The NEPL has been working hard with our Platinum sponsors to change things this year, changes that will benefit us all. Teams play tournament paintball for many reasons, for some it is the competition - the drive and the desire to be one of the best teams on the field in whatever part of the country you find yourself in. For others it is about the fun, the camaraderie - the forgetting of everything else you may have on your mind and just playing the game. Then there are those who are just finding the sport, or the actual sport side of paintball. We hope that with what we are changing, you will find the arena that best suits you - and get more from it than you ever thought you could.

The first step is to make some adjustments to the current divisions. The NEPL has always been proud to have helped to groom some of the best teams on the East Coast. We like to think that it is the level of competition provided on the local level that challenges teams who aspire to achieve the highest level of play. It is with this in mind that we have decided that for us, the future is now. 2009 may see some divisional changes in the NPPL. The Semi Pro and D1 divisions may merge, creating a bigger pool in which to find future Pro teams. We share in the NPPL's belief that for teams that are playing at this level of competition, they have outgrown their local tournament series and need and deserve to play amongst those who can continue to challenge them. It is for this reason, that we will be changing the Amateur Division in the NEPL to a D2 / D3 only division. We feel strongly that this will encourage those teams that are serious about the game and the climbing of the ladder - to grow first locally and then nationally. No one wants to play in a division where they feel they cannot compete and as a league that hopes to encourage and promote the growth of tournament paintball - we take our responsibilities seriously. We love the D1 teams who have competed in The NEPL over the years, and we are proud of all of their accomplishments but we have to look beyond them for the good of the sport.

When it comes to the prizes, we feel that the changes we have made to the divisions and the reasons for them should be reflected in the "reward" as well. The Amateur teams are teams that have either earned their way into that division by playing more competitive paintball in the NEPL Intermediate division, or are truly determined to make it nationally and compete at that level. To these teams - their time and resources are best spent in the managing of the team and making it easier by any means to compete. Flooding the market with high end markers that just don't sell - for whatever the reason may be - only frustrates teams as well as the retail stores in their market. Everyone loses in those situations so why do it. Thanks to our sponsors, you won't have to. The Amateur Division will take home CASH. Intermediate teams are local teams, working their way up - playing one national event in a season without being punished for doing so. They want to be competitive - and we feel that one essential ingredient to becoming more competitive is practice. What helps a team practice more than having paint? Almost nothing - except maybe the quality of the paint. To that we have the solution as well. Novice teams are the teams that are new to the tournament side of paintball. They may not have the best gear or may need or want more. If not, they have options too. We feel quite strongly that the changes we are making for 2008 will truly promote the one thing all of us in the industry hope for.... the continued growth of this great sport.

There are many, many more things in store for the players of New England and we hope that as you read what we have planned for the upcoming season - that you will be both encouraged and inspired to take your own game to the next level and trust in The NEPL to get you there. We are looking forward to a groud breaking year, and we hope you are as well.

We thank you in advance for your patience and your support.

Anthony Vitale
Lori Miller