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Welcome to the New York Airsoft League. We are a group of airsoft players in the Western NY area. Currently we have 14 teams associated with the league, with a total of well over 500 players, and we are growing daily.

The group is made up of men, women, boys, and girls ranging in age from (pre) teen to “over the hill”, click here for poll. We allow children under the age of 16 to come and play, as long as they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

The group tries to keep the focus on fun (with a strong emphasis on safety). Our informal games are almost like a family picnic with an airsoft game thrown in here and there, but it is that kind of atmosphere that makes it so enjoyable. We try to be friends first, and (play) soldiers second.

There are a variety of themes and motivations in our games. As airsoft is a combat simulation game at its core, we employ a healthy dose of LARP (Live Action Role Playing). Individuals take on a role during the games. It can be as loose as “I’m a soldier” or much more detailed with a full dossier, background motivations, modus operandi, rules of engagement, and so on. It all depends on the style of game be conducted. There’s something here for everyone.

Game scenarios run from simple “move to contact” or “defend the base” type games to fictional scenarios, like a series we ran of “corporate vs rebel” weekend op’s all the way to historical reenactments of past battles.

The historical reenactments provide a great history lesson, as games are set up to simulate the conditions of an actual battle, but play can (and does) veer from what actually took place. It shows how we can learn (or not) from history and the mistakes or successes of our predecessors.

We are also very excited about the theatrical aspect of the sport, and our group. “Theatrical Tactical Simulations” is a part of almost every event we have. Different members try their hand at filming the action, producing, editing and publishing short films of our games. It is a great way to tie the sport in with artistic endeavors. Who doesn’t have some aspiration to be the next George Lucas or Steven Spielburg? It seems we have several members with quite a bit of talent for producing highly entertaining short films.

It is not all fun and games, though. Some members, seeking even greater realism, have started an “Ultra Realistic” sub group. By invitation, they enlist members to participate in operations that strive for as much realism as possible. Things like gear weighted the same as in real life, ammo capacities for guns that equal the real thing, medic rules that simulate wounds, the boredom of being on a 6 hour watch with no contact. It has a very similar feel to the Civil War reenactors who spend a weekend reliving the battle of Gettysburg…bad food, wet clothes, and all.

Another exiting element in our group is the membership of currently enlisted and ex-military personnel. "Ultra non-lethal training" or taking lessons from our combat veterans, and active duty military personnel. Since we have people with genuine military experience, each and every one of us gets something out of it just by observing them/playing with and against them. Not to mention when they actual start giving advice and showing people what to do. A special thanks goes out to those individuals, both for their service to our country, and for the window they give us on a soldier’s life.

For 2008 we are holding 9 major Operations over the course of the year, starting in May. The Operations will be based around Modern Warfar set in a fictional country of our own design. We are always looking for more sponsors for the events. If you wish to be a sponsor, please contact us at admin@wnyal.net.