Phoenix Tahiti
Phoenix Tahiti is a competitive paintball team from French Polynesia. Established in 2009, the team has participated in international paintball competitions across Asia, Oceania, Europe and North America, including the Paintball Asia League Series (PALS), the New Zealand Paintball Players League (NZPPL), the National Xball League (NXL) and the French national paintball championship.
The organisation has competed under several names, including Phoenix Authority, Phoenix Tahiti and Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan. Its broader history also includes earlier Tahitian representative squads, including Fei Pi 1923 and Tahitian Legion, which shared players with Phoenix Tahiti.
The team has regularly assembled international rosters combining players from French Polynesia with competitors from other countries. Ralph Tsing has been one of its most extensively documented players and organisers.
Documented achievements include fifth place at World Cup Asia in 2017, third place at the New Zealand Race Series in 2023, second place in Division 5 X-Ball at the 2025 NXL World Cup, and a reported second-place finish at the 2026 French Paintball Championship.
History
[edit]Formation
[edit]Phoenix Tahiti was founded in 2009 by three friends in French Polynesia.
According to the team's own historical description, its founders wanted to assemble a squad consisting of players from different established teams, with an emphasis on enjoying paintball and competing together. [1]
The organisation developed international connections with players and tournament operators across the Pacific region, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
Ralph Tsing became one of the team's most prominent international representatives, helping assemble squads for overseas tournaments and maintaining relationships with other competitive teams.
The team's historical PBLeagues profile identifies Tahiti Ultimate Paintball in Punaauia, French Polynesia, as an associated field. The profile was registered on 2 September 2013, although the organisation's history predates that registration. [2]
Team names and international participation
[edit]Phoenix Tahiti's tournament history includes several related team names.
The names Phoenix Authority, Phoenix Tahiti and Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan have been used by squads associated with the organisation.
Earlier Tahitian teams, including Fei Pi 1923 and Tahitian Legion, included players who subsequently competed for Phoenix Tahiti.
Although these earlier teams shared identifiable players, the surviving records do not establish that every name represented the same formally registered organisation.
Their appearances are included in the broader history of Phoenix Tahiti while preserving the individual team names used at each tournament.
The organisation has also relied upon international cooperation to assemble squads for overseas competitions. Its rosters have included players from Tahiti, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, Germany and South Africa.
Early Tahitian international competition
[edit]World Cup Asia 2011: Fei Pi 1923
[edit]A Tahitian team competed in Division 1 at the 2011 Paintball World Cup Asia, held in Langkawi, Malaysia, from 10 to 13 November.
The squad appeared in pre-tournament registration announcements as Team Fei-Pi-Tahiti and in the original PALS rankings as Fei Pi 1923.
A registration announcement published on 24 September 2011 by PALS International Liaison Director Allan Phang confirms the team's participation. [3]
The identified roster included:
- Ralph Tsing
- Tafai Rai
- Christian Veroux
- Alexis Holman
- Bryce Carpentier
- Josh Alvarado
Fei Pi 1923 finished 19th among 21 Division 1 teams at World Cup Asia, earning 24 ranking points.
The squad finished 22nd in the overall 2011 PALS Division 1 season rankings. [4]
The appearance documents international competition by several players subsequently associated with Phoenix Tahiti.
The precise organisational relationship between Fei Pi 1923 and Phoenix Tahiti has not been established.
NZPPL Event 2, Hāwera 2012: Tahitian Legion
[edit]A Tahitian squad competed at the second event of the 2012 New Zealand Paintball Players League season, held in Hāwera, Taranaki, New Zealand.
The squad was known as Tahitian Legion, although the original handwritten tournament scoreboard recorded the entry simply as Tahiti.
Contemporary photographs identify six players wearing matching black jerseys:
- Shane Gallagher (#25), a New Zealand player guesting for the team
- Mani Voirin (#16)
- Christian Veroux (#88)
- Ralph Tsing (#27)
- Keke Brodien (#14)
- Manaurii Bousquet (#01)
The team competed in the Cup section against ADHD, Arachnids, D4, Hybrid, Tempest, Those Guys and Tiger Blood.
The original scoreboard records Tahiti fourth after seven scoring rounds, with 329 points.
The scoreboard also identifies a third-place playoff between Tahiti and Tiger Blood. The final result of that match has not been established. [5]
A separate team named Phoenix competed in the Plate section of the same tournament. This was a Wellington, New Zealand team and was not Phoenix Tahiti.
Tahitian Legion's participation provides early documentation of Tahitian players competing in New Zealand, including individuals who also represented Phoenix Authority at World Cup Asia later that year.
Organised paintball in Tahiti, 2012
[edit]Surviving competitor identification cards from a paintball event in Tahiti in 2012 provide additional evidence of organised local competitive paintball.
The cards carry Fédération de Paintball branding and identify the association Papara Paintball.
Eight registered competitors are documented:
- Nicolas Mesnard
- Teute Puairau
- Christian Veroux
- Ralph Tsing
- Heimanu Souday
- Joinville Souday
- Tuarii Souday
- Tamatoa Lepean
These records establish the players' association with Papara Paintball in 2012 but do not independently establish that every cardholder competed for Phoenix Tahiti. [6]
Paintball Asia League Series
[edit]World Cup Asia 2012: Phoenix Authority
[edit]Phoenix Authority competed at the 2012 Paintball World Cup Asia, held in Langkawi, Malaysia, as part of the Paintball Asia League Series.
The team competed in Division 2 with a multinational roster.
A contemporary report in La Dépêche de Tahiti, titled "Une honorable 17e place", identified the following players:
- Ralph Tsing (Tahiti)
- Christian Veroux (Tahiti)
- Moana Le Foc (Tahiti)
- Michael Earley (New Zealand)
- Tim Matthee (Australia)
- Badman Bud (Malaysia)
- Ku Zambree (Malaysia)
The newspaper reported that the squad had been unable to assemble a complete Tahitian lineup and therefore recruited international teammates. [7]
Phoenix Authority finished 17th out of 28 teams in Division 2.
The original tournament preliminary standings record the squad in 17th position, with 2.5 competition points, nine sets won and 12 sets lost.
The contemporary newspaper report also confirms the team's 17th-place finish.
The appearance demonstrates the team's early use of multinational rosters and the international connections that would continue throughout its history.
World Cup Asia 2013: Phoenix Tahiti
[edit]Phoenix Tahiti returned to World Cup Asia in Langkawi, Malaysia, from 15 to 17 November 2013.
The team competed in Division 3.
Team roster
[edit]The complete six-player roster was:
- Ralph Tsing (Tahiti)
- Ku Zambree (Malaysia)
- Moana Le Foc (Tahiti)
- Sasha Dworatschek (Germany)
- Mando Hazree (Malaysia)
- Michael Earley (New Zealand)
The squad included two Tahitian players, two Malaysian players, one German player and one New Zealand player.
Several members had previously played together for Phoenix Authority at World Cup Asia 2012.
The roster has been documented through firsthand testimony from a participating player.
Tournament results
[edit]The original 2013 PALS Division 3 rankings record Phoenix Tahiti finishing 47th at World Cup Asia, earning 31 ranking points.
The team finished 57th in the overall 2013 PALS Division 3 season standings, which listed 65 teams. [8]
PBLeagues independently confirms a final event placing of 47th among 54 teams in Division 3. [2]
The original PALS ranking and PBLeagues historical records use different points scales, although both identify the same final event position.
World Cup Asia 2017: Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan
[edit]Phoenix Tahiti returned to World Cup Asia from 10 to 12 November 2017 at The ARC, Bandar Rimbayu, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The team competed in Division 3, which featured 16 entrants.
The original tournament scoreboards use the name Phoenix Tahiti, while the historical PBLeagues registration identifies the squad as Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan, a later version of the team name. [2]
Preliminary round
[edit]Phoenix Tahiti was placed in Group B alongside Splatmasters, BT D' Aquarian, Duck Vader, Octosquad, Order 66, KSM Paintballers and Hardinsert.
The team finished second in the group.
Its recorded preliminary statistics were:
- Competition points: 6
- Sets won: 11
- Sets lost: 5
- Set differential: +6
The result qualified Phoenix Tahiti for the second round. [9]
Second round
[edit]Phoenix Tahiti advanced to Group Z alongside Raptor Brunei, Octosquad and Order 66.
The team finished first in the group, winning all six sets played.
Its recorded statistics were:
- Competition points: 3
- Sets won: 6
- Sets lost: 0
- Set differential: +6
Phoenix Tahiti advanced to the quarterfinals.
Quarterfinals
[edit]Phoenix Tahiti faced Order 66 in the quarterfinals.
Order 66 won the match by two sets to one, eliminating Phoenix Tahiti from the competition.
Phoenix Tahiti finished fifth overall out of 16 Division 3 teams. [2][9]
The leading Division 3 teams were:
- Champion: Kejahatan Aisawan
- First runner-up: BT D' Aquarian
- Second runner-up: Splatmasters
- Third runner-up: Order 66
Kejahatan Aisawan was a separate competing team from Phoenix Tahiti, despite the use of the Aisawan name in Phoenix Tahiti's historical registration.
Tahitian and Malaysian combined team
[edit]Phoenix Tahiti's fifth-place finish received coverage in La Dépêche de Tahiti on 15 November 2017.
The article, titled "Cinquième place pour le team Tahiti-Malaisie", identified Ralph Tsing and Torea Adams as the Tahitian players who participated in the competition. [10]
According to the report, the team had originally intended to travel with a complete Tahitian squad.
Financial limitations prevented sufficient players from travelling, and the organisers arranged for the Tahitian competitors to join Malaysian players.
Tsing described the fifth-place finish as a positive achievement, particularly because the combined squad had been assembled specifically for the tournament and had not previously trained together.
The newspaper published a photograph of five players representing the combined team.
The identities of the Malaysian players in the photograph have not been independently established.
George Town International X-Ball Cup 2018
[edit]Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan competed in the George Town International X-Ball Cup in Malaysia on 19 October 2018.
The squad entered the Amateur division and finished fifth out of 17 teams.
The result is recorded in the team's historical PBLeagues profile. [2]
World Paintball Championship 2019
[edit]Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan was registered for the World Paintball Championship in Thailand, held from 29 November to 1 December 2019.
The team entered WPC Division 3 under the Mercy Limit 2 format.
PBLeagues confirms the team's participation but does not provide a final placing. [2]
New Zealand competitions
[edit]International Pacific Championship 2014
[edit]Phoenix Tahiti competed in the NZPPL International Pacific Championship at Asylum Paintball in Kingseat, Auckland, on 25 and 26 October 2014.
The team entered Division 1 X-Ball and finished fourth out of eight participating teams. [2]
Contemporary team photographs identify several Tahitian players associated with this appearance, including Ralph Tsing, Matatini Wong Chou, Christian Theroux and Torea Adams.
Asylum Paintball Cup 2015
[edit]Phoenix Tahiti returned to New Zealand for the Asylum Paintball Cup on 26 and 27 September 2015.
The team entered the Open X-Ball division.
The appearance is recorded by PBLeagues, although no final placing is provided in the historical team profile. [2]
Auckland Paintball Cup 2016
[edit]Phoenix Tahiti competed in the Auckland Paintball Cup on 16 and 17 April 2016.
The team entered Division 2 X-Ball and finished seventh out of eight teams. [2]
New Zealand League Series 2019
[edit]Contemporary photographic material documents additional Phoenix Tahiti activity at Asylum Paintball in Auckland during the New Zealand League Series in 2019.
A photograph published on 10 March 2019 identifies the team in connection with NZLS Event 1.
A final tournament placing has not been established from the available records. [11]
New Zealand Race Series 2023
[edit]In October 2023, Phoenix Tahiti competed in the final round of the New Zealand Race Series at Arena Paintball in Feilding, New Zealand.
The competition attracted nine teams.
At the invitation of event organiser David Hopkins, Ralph Tsing assembled an international Phoenix Tahiti squad comprising five Tahitian players and two international teammates.
The documented roster included:
- Ralph Tsing (Tahiti)
- Torea Adams (Tahiti)
- Steven Wong (Tahiti)
- Emrick Amaru (Tahiti)
- Kevin Brodien (Tahiti)
- Brandon Miller (Australia)
- Jarryd Fouche (South Africa)
The team's participation was documented in an interview with Tsing published by Air Tahiti Nui on 31 October 2023. [12]
Phoenix Tahiti completed the preliminary stage with six victories, one draw and one defeat.
The team advanced to the semifinals against Ballistics Unit.
After trailing 2-0, Phoenix Tahiti recovered to take a 3-2 lead before the match finished 3-3 in regulation time.
Ballistics Unit won the deciding sudden-death point.
Phoenix Tahiti subsequently defeated the Charcharodons 3-0 in the third-place playoff, securing third place overall.
The tournament was won by Expendables, who defeated Ballistics Unit 3-0 in the final.
Tsing had previously played with Expendables during the first two rounds of the 2023 New Zealand Race Series. Those appearances were separate from the Phoenix Tahiti team entered for the final round.
United States competitions
[edit]AFPL SoCal Chaos 2016
[edit]Phoenix Tahiti competed in the American Federation of Paintball Leagues SoCal Chaos #3 tournament on 10 and 11 September 2016.
The team entered Division 4 X-Ball and finished eighth out of eight teams. [2]
NXL World Cup 2025
[edit]Phoenix Tahiti competed at the 2025 National Xball League World Cup, held in Kissimmee, Florida, United States, from 12 to 16 November.
The team entered Division 5 X-Ball.
Phoenix Tahiti completed its preliminary schedule with three victories and one defeat before advancing to the elimination rounds.
The team's elimination-stage results included:
- Defeated Thunderducks, 3-0
- Defeated Revolution, 2-1
- Defeated Texas Rampage, 4-1
- Defeated SoCal Havoc Misfits, 3-0
Phoenix Tahiti advanced to the Division 5 X-Ball final against Protocol D5.
Protocol D5 won the championship match 4-2, leaving Phoenix Tahiti as the division's runner-up. [13]
The result attracted media coverage in French Polynesia and represented a significant achievement for the team at one of the sport's largest international tournaments.
European competitions
[edit]French Paintball Championship 2026
[edit]Phoenix Tahiti competed at the 2026 Championnat de France, organised by the Fédération Française de Paintball in Dreux, France, from 5 to 7 June 2026.
The championship was held at the paintball complex on Chemin Notre Dame de la Ronde in Dreux. [14]
The team's participation is documented through its own contemporary social media coverage, including photographs published under the title "Championnat de France 2026".
Players associated with the appearance included:
- Ralph Tsing
- Arifano Amaru
- Toto Westsiide
- Jarryd Fouche
Phoenix Tahiti reported finishing second in its competition.
The result was reported through the team's own social media activity in June 2026, although a complete official divisional classification has not yet been independently recovered. [15]
The exact competition division and final match score therefore remain unconfirmed.
The appearance represented a documented European competition by Phoenix Tahiti, extending its international tournament history beyond Asia, Oceania and North America.
Tournament results
[edit]The following table summarises documented international appearances by Phoenix Tahiti and related Tahitian squads.
| Year | Team name | Tournament | Country | Division | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Fei Pi 1923 | World Cup Asia | Malaysia | Division 1 | 19th of 21 |
| 2012 | Tahitian Legion | NZPPL Event 2, Hāwera | New Zealand | Cup | Third-place playoff, result unconfirmed |
| 2012 | Phoenix Authority | World Cup Asia | Malaysia | Division 2 | 17th of 28 |
| 2013 | Phoenix Tahiti | World Cup Asia | Malaysia | Division 3 | 47th of 54 |
| 2014 | Phoenix Tahiti | International Pacific Championship | New Zealand | Division 1 X-Ball | 4th of 8 |
| 2015 | Phoenix Tahiti | Asylum Paintball Cup | New Zealand | Open X-Ball | Not recorded |
| 2016 | Phoenix Tahiti | Auckland Paintball Cup | New Zealand | Division 2 X-Ball | 7th of 8 |
| 2016 | Phoenix Tahiti | AFPL SoCal Chaos #3 | United States | Division 4 X-Ball | 8th of 8 |
| 2017 | Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan | World Cup Asia | Malaysia | Division 3 X-Ball | 5th of 16 |
| 2018 | Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan | George Town International X-Ball Cup | Malaysia | Amateur | 5th of 17 |
| 2019 | Phoenix Tahiti | New Zealand League Series Event 1 | New Zealand | Unconfirmed | Not recorded |
| 2019 | Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan | World Paintball Championship | Thailand | Division 3 | Not recorded |
| 2023 | Phoenix Tahiti | New Zealand Race Series, final round | New Zealand | Race format | 3rd of 9 |
| 2025 | Phoenix Tahiti | NXL World Cup | United States | Division 5 X-Ball | 2nd, runner-up |
| 2026 | Phoenix Tahiti | Championnat de France | France | Division unconfirmed | 2nd, team-reported |
The table includes earlier Tahitian squads through documented continuity of players. It does not establish that all the listed entries belonged to one formally registered organisation.
International participation and development
[edit]Phoenix Tahiti has been notable for its use of international rosters to enable competitive participation outside French Polynesia.
Players associated with the organisation have travelled to tournaments in Malaysia, Thailand, New Zealand, Australia, the United States and France.
Ralph Tsing has played a continuing role in organising international participation and developing connections with overseas teams.
Financial and logistical barriers have affected the team's ability to travel with complete Tahitian rosters. In some cases, the organisation has assembled mixed-nationality squads with players recruited from countries where competitions were being held.
The 2012 World Cup Asia, 2013 World Cup Asia, 2017 World Cup Asia and 2023 New Zealand Race Series appearances provide documented examples of this approach.
The team's activities have also been affected by the limited availability of competitive paintball facilities in French Polynesia.
A 2024 Tahiti Nui Télévision report documented the loss of several Tahitian paintball fields beginning in 2012 and the closure of a later practice area in Punaruu in 2022. [16]
These circumstances contributed to the importance of overseas competition for Tahitian players.
Legacy
[edit]Phoenix Tahiti represents a longstanding example of competitive paintball participation from French Polynesia.
Beginning as a team founded by three friends in 2009, the organisation developed an international presence through repeated tournament appearances, cooperation with overseas players and participation across several competition divisions.
Its broader history includes Tahitian squads competing at World Cup Asia in 2011 and 2012, followed by appearances under the Phoenix Tahiti name in Malaysia, New Zealand, the United States and France.
The team's documented achievements include fifth place at World Cup Asia 2017, third place at the New Zealand Race Series 2023, second place in Division 5 X-Ball at the 2025 NXL World Cup, and a reported runner-up finish at the 2026 French Paintball Championship.
See also
[edit]- Ralph Tsing
- Paintball in French Polynesia
- Paintball Asia League Series
- Paintball World Cup Asia
- New Zealand Paintball Players League
- New Zealand Race Series
- National Xball League
- Super 7's Paintball Series
- Fédération Française de Paintball
References
[edit]- Phoenix Tahiti Paintball. Historical team description identifying its formation in 2009.
- PBLeagues: Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan. Historical team registration and tournament records, 2013 to 2019.
- Allan Phang, PALS World Cup Asia 2011 team announcements. 24 September 2011.
- Paintball Asia League Series. "Division 1: 2011 Ranking." Original season standings supplied to WikiPaintball.
- NZPPL Event 2, Hāwera, 2012. Original handwritten tournament scoreboard and contemporary Tahitian Legion team photograph, supplied to WikiPaintball.
- Fédération de Paintball. Papara Paintball competitor identification cards, 2012. Original photographs supplied to WikiPaintball.
- La Dépêche de Tahiti. "Une honorable 17e place." Fenua section, 2012. Contemporary report on Phoenix Authority at World Cup Asia.
- Paintball Asia League Series. "Division 3: 2013 Ranking." Original season standings supplied to WikiPaintball.
- Paintball World Cup Asia 2017. Original Division 3 preliminary scoreboards, second-round results, quarterfinal results and final rankings. Contemporary records supplied to WikiPaintball.
- Pereyre-Gobrait, Vaitiare. "Cinquième place pour le team Tahiti-Malaisie." La Dépêche de Tahiti, 15 November 2017, p. 34.
- New Zealand League Series. Contemporary photographic record identifying Phoenix Tahiti at NZLS Event 1, published 10 March 2019.
- Air Tahiti Nui. "Paintball : Ralph Tsing enchaine les bons résultats." 31 October 2023.
- PBLeagues: NXL World Cup 2025 final results. Official Division 5 X-Ball standings.
- Fédération Française de Paintball: Championnat de France 2026. Event information confirming dates and location, 5 to 7 June 2026.
- Phoenix Tahiti Paintball. Team social media reporting and photo album "Championnat de France 2026", including the reported runner-up result.
- Tahiti Nui Télévision. "Les associations sportives en mal d'infrastructures." 30 August 2024.