From World Cup fields to home turf: Why paintball, why Lovell, why now?

When speaking with people about what Lovell needs most, we often hear, “We need more for kids to do.” Could paintball in Lovell be the answer?

Lovell is known for many things, including sugar beets, bentonite and wild horses, but paintball is not something that anyone likely saw coming. When the Wagner family started playing competitive paintball, it didn’t take long for them to realize that our small town could benefit in unimaginable ways by welcoming this sport.

Ali Wagner is known to most as a family nurse practitioner at North Big Horn Clinic, but outside of the medical field she finds fulfillment on another type of field – the paintball field. When I sat down with her to talk about her vision for a new non-profit, which she plans to call D.S.M. Paintball, it became clear very quickly that this project is about far more than paintball alone. 

Wagner considers herself a longtime advocate for youth mental health and community connection, and she and her husband Dustin are working to launch a regulated paintball program in the Basin that she hopes will become a long-term asset for families, young people and the community.

“This is really about giving people something positive to belong to,” Wagner explained. “We hear all the time that we need more things for kids and families to do locally. This is one way to meet that need while also promoting teamwork, confidence, physical activity and mental wellness.” 

Wagner’s passion for the sport — and for the people within it — has been shaped well beyond the local level. Most recently, she and her husband travelled and competed at the NXL World Cup, one of the largest and most prestigious paintball tournaments in the world. There, she had the opportunity to play alongside teams and players she had never met before, an experience she says perfectly captures the spirit of the paintball community.

“Paintball is one of the few spaces where race, religion, background and wealth truly don’t matter,” Wagner said. “If you show up willing to learn, work hard and support your teammates, you belong.”

That sense of inclusion is something Wagner has already been fostering nationally through her work with Paintball for Purpose, an organization providing mental health advocacy and support to players from all walks of life at national paintball events. Her involvement has allowed her to combine her professional background in mental health with her love of the sport, offering education, support and connection to athletes competing at every level.

“I’ve watched paintball save lives,” she said. “I’ve seen confidence grow. I’ve seen isolation disappear. I’ve seen people find purpose again.”

D.S.M. Paintball is being developed with that same philosophy in mind — structured, intentional and welcoming. Unlike the informal paintball many locals may be familiar with, this program will follow a regulated tournament play format, emphasizing safety, sportsmanship and skill development. Over time, Wagner envisions Lovell becoming home to its own regulation field, complete with professional turf and rotating field layouts designed to keep gameplay fresh, challenging and exciting.

That level of structure also opens doors beyond the Basin. Players who find a home within the sport will have opportunities to connect to the national paintball circuit, which includes travel to competitions across the country and exposure to a broader community built on mutual respect and shared passion. In March, Wagner explained that the first event of the NXL season will be held at the Raymond James stadium in Tampa, Florida, home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“If our program was already up and going, I would have loved to take a group of our local kids to play there and have that experience,” she said. 

Oversight and accountability are central to the plan. D.S.M. Paintball will be regulated and overseen by a local board of directors who live in the community and share a desire to see growth, unity and opportunity flourish here. Wagner believes that local leadership is essential to keeping the program grounded and sustainable.

While early discussions included the possibility of hosting a free community paintball event as early as May, Wagner says the timeline will ultimately depend on financial support from the community.

“Community backing is going to be paramount in getting this off the ground,” she said. “The sooner we can begin working together to fund this program, the sooner our youth and other community members will begin to see the benefits.”

To that end, D.S.M. Paintball is actively seeking businesses and individuals interested in donating or sponsoring the program. Tiered sponsorship options will be available, with each level offering some form of field signage, event advertising or promotional recognition. Wagner hopes this creates meaningful partnerships that support both community wellness and local business visibility.

“This nonprofit won’t make me money,” she said. “This will belong to Lovell. This isn’t just an expense. It’s an investment in our kids, our families and our future.”

The broader impact extends well beyond the field. Practices, events and tournaments are expected to draw visitors from across the Basin and beyond — people who will eat at local restaurants, stay in local hotels and support other businesses in town.

For those unfamiliar with the competitive side of the sport, Wagner encourages curiosity. Anyone interested in learning more about tournament paintball can visit NXLpaintball.com or follow Lovell’s own teams, the Big Horn Berserkers and the Damage Dolls, on Instagram at @BigHornBerserkers and @DamageDollsPaintball.

Looking ahead, Wagner hopes community support will eventually allow for rental gear, designated spectator areas and summer camps. Wagner has already received approval from the town to establish the field near the fairgrounds under the water tower, a location that would allow collaboration with the Rodeo Club.

“This isn’t about taking space — it’s about sharing it,” Wagner said. “We want to help support the Rodeo Club, their upgrades and their programs as we grow together.”

The field would serve not only competitive teams but also families, recreational players and first-time participants.

“You don’t have to compete,” Wagner said. “You can come play for fun, alongside us, and still be part of the community. This is for everyone.”

Because the field will be located close to town, youth will be able to easily access it — whether to play, learn or simply be part of something positive.

“In a town where there aren’t a lot of other things to do, this gives kids a place to go, people to connect with and a reason to stay engaged,” Wagner said. “Keeping them busy, supported and inspired makes a real difference.”

As planning continues, Wagner welcomes conversations with anyone interested in donating, sponsoring, volunteering or learning more, noting, “If this vision resonates with you, I’d love to talk. This is something we can build together.”

Those interested in supporting D.S.M. Paintball or joining in for a future day of play are encouraged to reach out for more information by using any of the options above or sending an email to DamageDollsPaintball@gmail.com. With enough momentum and community partnerships, Wagner believes this program can become exactly what so many have been asking for — a positive, structured and unifying space for kids, families and the Basin as a whole.