The Dutch Open International Airsoft Practical Shooting Tournament 2017 is set for 11-12 November 2017 and it is now moving to a new venue. From Papendal Sports Centrum, it will be held at the NABV's Dutch National Airsoft Centre.

"The date for the Dutch Open 2017 is set. Dutch Open 2017 will be held in the Dutch National Airsoft Centre in Geldermalsen (Tielerweg 9) Date is set for november 11 and 12 2017.

Registration is open through Shoot & Score via http://shootnscoreit.com/ipsc/match/5084/.

In addition to the Open and Standard Division, the contest will also be open for Production division shooters.

24 stages will be set up in Geldermalsen in 4 zones with a special theme per zone. There wille be 12 short, 8 medium and 4 long stages. We want the short stages be very ‘dynamic’ this year.

We hope to welcome you all again in Geldermalsen on November 11 & 12 2017.

An impression of the Dutch National Airsoft Centre can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/nationaalairsoftcentrum/

UPDATE: Entrance for visitors is free!

Here's a short update on the firearms directive proposal. there's been allot of pressure put on MEPs by the firearms community. Of the replies which airsoft players have forwarded to me, a good number of MEPs have said they have been convinced to vote against the proposal, many others have just repeated the party line about 'preventing terrorism'. There were objections to the proposal on its first presentation to MEPs. There have been loud objections from Finland, Switzerland and Czech Republic where civilian owned firearms are part of defence policy.

Important to all airsoft players of Europe. Your action is required! NOW!

After the horrific attacks in Paris the the European Commission has expressed the desire to adopt:

* Compulsory Registration for Airsoft Replica's
Not registering you airsoft replica's will result in criminal penalties and a criminal record.

The European Commission wants to amend the EU firearms directive so as to classify any replica with the form of a firearm as a Category C weapon, this would mean they would at a minimum fall into the same category as most hunting rifles and shotguns in your respective home countries.

Needless to say with the amount of airsoft replica's on the market such a measure would be turning millions of EU citizens in to criminals over night. Airsoft players are in no responsible for the attacks in Paris! And you cannot stop terrorists by punishing law abiding EU citizens!

Another competitive airsoft practical shooting event is coming up in Europe, and it's going to be in the Netherlands this time. The Nederlandse Airsoft Belangen Vereniging (NABV or the Dutch Airsoft Association) are set to hold the Dutch Open 2015 at the Dutch National Sports Centre Papendal in Arnhem on the 21st to the 22nd of November 2015.

For two days, competitive shooters, which will be limited to a number of 80 shooters at the maximum, will be going through various shooting stages with different levels of difficulty. If you and your airsoft practical shooting club intend to join in this competition, better register now as the number of shooters as of this writing has already reached 60+ registrants which means just less than 20 slots are left for those who haven’t registered yet. New competitors will have to be reviewed first before their registration gets approved. For the pre-match a total of 15 shooters will be accepted.

The Dutch Airsoft Association worket hard to start a nationwide IAPS competition in Holland in 2014.

The Netherlands have the opportunity to be the first country in the world with a complete digital competition using electronic targets

IAPS ( International Airsoft Practical Shooting ) is a discipline in which airsoft targets should be hit. The goals that meet strict requirements , can be combined in different ways in so called 'stages ' (rounds) . The athletes make these courses as soon as possible and try, to get by hitting targets, highest possible score.

The discipline IAPS is intended for young and old , regardless of gender. The courses comply with all rules and requirements so that this sport is accessible to everyone . IAPS is practiced with special airsoft devices. Competitions are organized at both indoor and outdoor locations.

This is unique and will be big in 2014; check out the website of th NABV for more information (Dutch Only)