Editing Phoenix Tahiti (French Polynesia Paintball Team)


'''Phoenix Tahiti''' (also known as '''Phœnix Tahiti''' and '''Phoenix Tahiti Paintball''') is a competitive [[paintball]] team based in [[Tahiti]], French Polynesia. Founded in 2009, the team has participated in international speedball and X-Ball competitions throughout Oceania, Asia and North America.

The team has competed in New Zealand, Malaysia, Thailand and the United States, including events associated with the [[New Zealand Paintball Players League]] (NZPPL), [[Paintball Asia League Series]] (PALS), American Federation of Paintball Leagues (AFPL) and [[National Xball League]] (NXL).

Phoenix Tahiti has also competed under the name '''Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan''', which appears in international tournament records from 2017 onward.[1]

Its notable results include fourth place at the 2014 NZPPL International Pacific Championship in Auckland, fifth place at the 2017 Paintball World Cup Asia in Division 3, third place at the 2023 New Zealand Race Series finale and second place in Division 5 X-Ball at the 2025 NXL World Cup in Florida.[1][3][4]

== History ==

=== Formation in Tahiti ===

Phoenix Tahiti was established in '''2009''' by three friends who wanted to create a team bringing together players from different existing paintball teams.

The team's original social media description explained that it was founded with an emphasis on enjoying the sport and playing together.

The founding account describes Phoenix Tahiti as a mixed group of players rather than a team formed exclusively from one existing club.[2]

The names of all three original founders have not been independently established from the available historical sources.

The team became associated with the competitive paintball community in French Polynesia, participating in speedball tournaments and eventually travelling internationally.

Its historical PBLeagues profile lists '''Tahiti Ultimate Paintball''' in Punaauia, French Polynesia, as its home field.[1]

=== Early international competition ===

Phoenix Tahiti developed an international tournament presence during the early 2010s.

The team registered on PBLeagues on '''2 September 2013'''.

Its earliest event recorded in that database was the '''2013 NAZA World Cup Asia Paintball''' tournament, held in Malaysia from 15 to 17 November 2013.

Phoenix Tahiti competed in Division 3 and finished '''47th of 54 teams'''.[1]

The result established the team's presence in one of Asia's major international paintball competitions.

Its participation also marked the beginning of a documented sequence of overseas tournament appearances.

== Competition in New Zealand ==

=== NZPPL International Pacific Championship, 2014 ===

Phoenix Tahiti competed at the '''NZPPL International Pacific Championship''' in Auckland, New Zealand, on '''25–26 October 2014'''.

The team entered Division 1 X-Ball and finished '''fourth of eight teams'''.[1]

The competition was part of the international activity associated with the New Zealand Paintball Players League.

Phoenix Tahiti's participation demonstrated the connection between French Polynesian players and the New Zealand competitive paintball community.

=== Asylum Paintball Cup, 2015 ===

Phoenix Tahiti returned to Auckland for the '''Asylum Paintball Cup''' on '''26–27 September 2015'''.

The tournament was hosted at [[Asylum Paintball]], a commercial and competitive paintball facility at the former Kingseat Hospital in South Auckland.

Phoenix Tahiti entered the Open X-Ball division.[1]

Its participation was recorded by PBLeagues, although the team's historical profile does not provide a confirmed final placing.

The tournament attracted teams from New Zealand and overseas.

Phoenix Tahiti's involvement formed part of its continuing participation in international competition across the South Pacific.

=== Auckland Paintball Cup, 2016 ===

The team returned to New Zealand for the '''Auckland Paintball Cup''' on '''16–17 April 2016'''.

Phoenix Tahiti competed in Division 2 X-Ball and finished '''seventh of eight teams'''.[1]

The event represented another documented appearance in the Auckland tournament circuit.

=== New Zealand Race Series, 2023 ===

Phoenix Tahiti achieved a podium finish at the final round of the '''2023 New Zealand Race Series'''.

The competition took place at '''Arena Paintball''' in Feilding, New Zealand.

According to a contemporary interview published by Air Tahiti Nui on 31 October 2023, the team finished '''third of nine teams'''.[3]

The team was assembled for the event by Tahitian player '''Ralph Tsing''', following an invitation from tournament organiser David Hopkins.

The squad included five Tahitian players alongside two international players.

The tournament was played in a five-versus-five X-Ball format.

=== Tournament performance ===

Phoenix Tahiti completed the preliminary stage with:

* Six wins
* One draw
* One loss

The team advanced to the semifinals, where it faced '''Ballistic Unit'''.

After falling behind 2–0, Phoenix Tahiti recovered to lead 3–2.

The game finished 3–3 at the end of regulation time.

Ballistic Unit won the deciding sudden-death point, eliminating Phoenix Tahiti from championship contention.

Phoenix Tahiti then played '''Charcharodons''' in the third-place playoff.

The team won '''3–0''', securing third place at the tournament.[3]

This result was particularly notable because several members of the squad were participating in an international tournament for the first time.

== International competition in Asia ==

=== World Cup Asia, 2013 ===

Phoenix Tahiti's earliest documented PBLeagues appearance was at the 2013 NAZA World Cup Asia in Malaysia.

The team finished 47th of 54 entries in Division 3.[1]

This marked an early stage in its international tournament development.

=== World Cup Asia, 2017 ===

Phoenix Tahiti competed under the name '''Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan''' at the '''2017 Paintball World Cup Asia''' in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The event took place on '''10–12 November 2017'''.

The team entered Division 3 X-Ball and finished '''fifth of sixteen teams'''.[1]

This represented a substantial improvement over its recorded 2013 World Cup Asia result.

=== George Town International X-Ball Cup, 2018 ===

Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan participated in the '''George Town International X-Ball Cup''' in Malaysia on '''19 October 2018'''.

The team competed in the Amateur division, finishing '''fifth of seventeen teams'''.[1]

This was another top-five international result for the team.

=== World Paintball Championship, 2019 ===

Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan entered the '''2019 World Paintball Championship''' in Thailand.

The event took place from '''29 November to 1 December 2019'''.

The team entered the '''WPC Division 3 – Mercy Limit 2''' category.[1]

The PBLeagues historical record confirms its participation but does not display a final placing.

== Competition in the United States ==

=== AFPL SoCal Chaos, 2016 ===

Phoenix Tahiti participated in the '''AFPL SoCal Chaos #3''' tournament in Southern California on '''10–11 September 2016'''.

The team competed in Division 4 X-Ball, finishing '''eighth of eight teams'''.[1]

The event was the team's earliest United States tournament appearance identified in its historical PBLeagues profile.

It demonstrated the expansion of Phoenix Tahiti's competitive activities beyond Oceania and Asia.

=== NXL World Cup, 2025 ===

Phoenix Tahiti achieved one of its most significant international results at the '''2025 NXL World Cup''' in Kissimmee, Florida.

The event took place from '''12–16 November 2025'''.

The team competed in '''Division 5 X-Ball''' and advanced through the elimination rounds to the championship final.[4][5]

The result attracted coverage in French Polynesian media, which reported the participation of Tahitian players and the team's runner-up finish.[6]

=== Qualification and elimination rounds ===

Phoenix Tahiti won three of its four preliminary matches.

Its recorded results included:

* 3–0 against BR Barbies
* 3–1 against Filthy Few
* 3–0 against SoCal Havoc MOB
* 2–3 against APF Family

The team advanced from the preliminary stage to the elimination rounds.

It subsequently defeated Thunderducks 3–0, Revolution 2–1 and Texas Rampage 4–1.

In the semifinals, Phoenix Tahiti defeated '''SoCal Havoc Misfits''' 3–0.[5]

=== Championship final ===

Phoenix Tahiti faced '''Protocol D5''' in the Division 5 X-Ball championship final.

Protocol D5 won the match '''4–2'''.

Phoenix Tahiti therefore finished '''second in Division 5 X-Ball''' at the 2025 NXL World Cup.[4]

The result was a major international achievement for the Tahitian team.

It should be described specifically as a Division 5 World Cup runner-up finish, rather than an overall professional world championship title.

The competition's official scoring records independently confirm the final score and placing.

== Players ==

=== Documented 2023 roster ===

The 2023 New Zealand Race Series roster was documented in an interview with Ralph Tsing published by Air Tahiti Nui.[3]

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Phoenix Tahiti – New Zealand Race Series, 2023
! Player
! Association
|-
| '''Torea Adams'''
| French Polynesia
|-
| '''Steven Wong'''
| French Polynesia
|-
| '''Emrick Amaru'''
| French Polynesia
|-
| '''Kevin Brodien'''
| French Polynesia
|-
| '''Ralph Tsing'''
| French Polynesia
|-
| '''Brandon Miller'''
| Australia
|-
| '''Jarryd Fouche'''
| South Africa
|}

This roster applies specifically to the 2023 competition and should not be interpreted as the team's permanent membership throughout its history.

=== Ralph Tsing ===

'''Ralph Tsing''' is a Tahitian competitive paintball player associated with international tournament participation.

He was responsible for assembling the Phoenix Tahiti squad that competed at the 2023 New Zealand Race Series finale.

In his October 2023 interview, Tsing described the team's preparation, tournament results and the significance of the podium finish for its less experienced international competitors.[3]

His involvement illustrates the role played by Tahitian players in maintaining connections between French Polynesia and international paintball competitions.

=== International player participation ===

Phoenix Tahiti's original founding description emphasised bringing together players from different teams.

The documented 2023 roster demonstrates that this approach extended to international players.

The team included five Tahitians alongside players from Australia and South Africa.

The arrangement provided opportunities for Tahitian players to compete internationally while drawing on experience from other paintball communities.

The available records do not establish whether the same roster model applied at every tournament.

== Tournament results ==

The following table summarises selected verified international results.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Phoenix Tahiti – Selected international tournament history
! Year
! Tournament
! Country
! Division
! Result
|-
| 2013
| NAZA World Cup Asia
| Malaysia
| Division 3
| 47th of 54
|-
| 2014
| NZPPL International Pacific Championship
| New Zealand
| Division 1 X-Ball
| 4th of 8
|-
| 2015
| Asylum Paintball Cup
| New Zealand
| Open X-Ball
| Participated; placing unconfirmed
|-
| 2016
| Auckland Paintball Cup
| New Zealand
| Division 2 X-Ball
| 7th of 8
|-
| 2016
| AFPL SoCal Chaos #3
| United States
| Division 4 X-Ball
| 8th of 8
|-
| 2017
| Paintball World Cup Asia
| Malaysia
| Division 3 X-Ball
| 5th of 16
|-
| 2018
| George Town International X-Ball Cup
| Malaysia
| Amateur
| 5th of 17
|-
| 2019
| World Paintball Championship
| Thailand
| Division 3
| Participated; placing unconfirmed
|-
| 2023
| New Zealand Race Series finale
| New Zealand
| Five-man X-Ball
| 3rd of 9
|-
| 2025
| NXL World Cup
| United States
| Division 5 X-Ball
| '''2nd'''
|}

Sources: PBLeagues historical team records, Air Tahiti Nui and NXL World Cup scoring records.[1][3][4]

The table contains documented results rather than a complete history of every tournament entered by Phoenix Tahiti.

The team may have participated in additional local, regional and international competitions not represented in the surviving records.

== Historical significance ==

=== French Polynesian tournament paintball ===

Phoenix Tahiti represents a sustained example of competitive paintball participation from French Polynesia.

The team's founding in 2009 and subsequent international tournament history document the development of Tahitian paintball beyond local recreational competition.

Its participation in tournaments throughout New Zealand, Malaysia, Thailand and the United States demonstrates the international connections available to players from the Pacific Islands.

=== Connections with New Zealand ===

New Zealand has been an important destination for Phoenix Tahiti.

The team's documented appearances include tournaments in Auckland during 2014, 2015 and 2016, followed by its podium finish at Feilding in 2023.

These competitions connected Tahitian players with established New Zealand teams, tournament organisers and facilities.

The 2023 result also provided opportunities for players making their first international tournament appearance.

=== International achievements ===

Phoenix Tahiti's international record includes several notable performances.

Its fourth-place result at the 2014 NZPPL International Pacific Championship established the team among the leading finishers in that competition.

Its fifth-place results in Malaysia during 2017 and 2018 demonstrated competitive progress in Asian tournament events.

The 2023 New Zealand Race Series podium represented another international achievement.

The team's second-place finish at the 2025 NXL World Cup was a particularly significant result, placing Phoenix Tahiti in a championship final at one of the largest international paintball tournaments.

=== Preservation of records ===

Phoenix Tahiti's history is documented through a combination of team publications, PBLeagues records, contemporary interviews and tournament scoring systems.

The team's self-description provides evidence of its founding in 2009, while PBLeagues records its competition history beginning in 2013.

The Air Tahiti Nui interview provides unusually detailed documentation of the team's 2023 roster and match results.

The NXL scoring database independently confirms its 2025 World Cup runner-up finish.

These sources preserve the achievements of a team from a relatively small paintball community participating internationally over many years.

== See also ==

* [[Paintball in French Polynesia]]
* [[Paintball in Oceania]]
* [[Paintball in New Zealand]]
* [[Paintball Asia League Series]]
* [[Paintball World Cup Asia]]
* [[New Zealand Paintball Players League]]
* [[Asylum Paintball]]
* [[National Xball League]]
* [[NXL World Cup]]
* [[Ralph Tsing]]

== References ==

# [https://pbleagues.com/team/qnCyzgX5g4pCgeVT Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan – Team Profile]. ''PBLeagues''. Historical tournament registration and results for Phoenix Tahiti and Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan, including international appearances between 2013 and 2019. Lists Tahiti Ultimate Paintball, Punaauia, as the team's home field.
# [https://www.localgymsandfitness.com/PF/Papeete/180926158404/Phoenix-Tahiti-Paintball Phoenix Tahiti Paintball – Team Description]. Archived public social media listing reproducing the team's description of its establishment in 2009 by three friends.
# [https://pf.airtahitinui.com/actualites/ambassador/paintball-ralph-tsing-enchaine-les-bons-resultats Paintball : Ralph Tsing enchaine les bons résultats]. ''Air Tahiti Nui'', 31 October 2023. Interview documenting Phoenix Tahiti's roster, third-place finish and match results at the New Zealand Race Series finale.
# [https://pbleagues.com/scores/L316/E8928/scores/finalsScores.html NXL World Cup 2025 – Official Finals Scores]. ''PBLeagues''. Confirms Phoenix Tahiti's second-place finish in Division 5 X-Ball following a 4–2 loss to Protocol D5.
# [https://pbleagues.com/scores/L316/E8928/scores/topScores.html NXL World Cup 2025 – Elimination Round Scores]. ''PBLeagues''. Records the team's performance through the elimination rounds and advancement to the Division 5 final.
# [https://www.drom-com.fr/articles/trois-tahitiens-brillent-nxl-paintball-world-cup-decrochent-place-vice-champions-monde-77189.htm Trois Tahitiens brillent à la NXL Paintball World Cup et décrochent la place de vice-champions du monde]. ''DROM-COM'', 20 November 2025. Reproduction of French Polynesian news coverage reporting the team's World Cup runner-up finish.

== External links ==

* [https://www.facebook.com/ Phoenix Tahiti – Official social media platform]
* [https://pbleagues.com/team/qnCyzgX5g4pCgeVT Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan – PBLeagues historical team profile]
* [https://pf.airtahitinui.com/actualites/ambassador/paintball-ralph-tsing-enchaine-les-bons-resultats Air Tahiti Nui – Phoenix Tahiti's 2023 New Zealand tournament results]
* [https://pbleagues.com/scores/L316/E8928/scores/finalsScores.html 2025 NXL World Cup – Official final results]

[[Category:Paintball teams]]
[[Category:Paintball in French Polynesia]]
[[Category:Paintball in Oceania]]