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Created page with " '''Vitaly Miheev''' is a Latvian-born, New Zealand-based paintball player, referee, field operator and tournament organiser. Originally from Riga, Latvia, he began playing paintball as a child before moving to New Zealand, where he became involved in competitive paintball and the development of the sport in Auckland. Miheev has been associated with several New Zealand paintball teams, including Team Insane, ADHD and Reavers. He was also in..."
 
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'''Vitaly Miheev''' is a Latvian-born, New Zealand-based paintball player, referee, field operator and tournament organiser. Originally from Riga, Latvia, he began playing paintball as a child before moving to New Zealand, where he became involved in competitive paintball and the development of the sport in Auckland.
'''Vitaly Miheev''' is a Latvian-born, New Zealand-based paintball player, referee, field operator and tournament organiser. Originally from Riga, Latvia, he has been involved in paintball since childhood and has contributed to the development of recreational and competitive paintball in New Zealand and internationally.


Miheev has been associated with several New Zealand paintball teams, including [[Team Insane]], [[ADHD (paintball team)|ADHD]] and Reavers. He was also involved in the establishment of [[South Auckland Paintball Club]] and became one of the founding members of the business behind [[Asylum Paintball]], a major recreational and tournament facility at the former Kingseat Hospital in South Auckland.
Miheev was an early member of [[Team Insane]], a founding member of [[ADHD (paintball team)|ADHD]] and part of the founding teams behind [[Asylum Paintball]] and the [[South Auckland Paintball Club]]. His career has also included working at [[Lock N Load Paintball]], refereeing major tournaments and serving on the event staff of the [[Paintball Asia League Series]] (PALS), including multiple World Cup Asia tournaments.


His involvement in the sport has included refereeing national tournaments, operating commercial paintball facilities, supporting international teams and working with the organising staff of the [[Paintball Asia League Series]] (PALS), including multiple World Cup Asia events.
More recently, he has been involved in establishing the New Zealand paintball team Reavers.


== Early life and introduction to paintball ==
== Early life and introduction to paintball ==
=== Childhood in Latvia ===


Miheev grew up in '''Riga, Latvia''', where he began playing paintball as a child.
Miheev grew up in '''Riga, Latvia''', where he began playing paintball as a child.


He was involved with the '''Latvia Paintball Club''' before emigrating to New Zealand.
He was a member of the '''Latvia Paintball Club''' before moving to New Zealand.[1]


His early experience in Latvia predates much of his documented participation in New Zealand competition and forms an important part of his paintball background.
After settling in '''Pukekohe''', south of Auckland, Miheev attended Pukekohe High School, where he met fellow paintball player [[Michael Earley]].


The exact dates of his involvement with the Latvian club and the tournaments in which he participated have not yet been established.
Their shared interest in paintball led to their involvement in the South Auckland tournament community, beginning an association that continued through several teams, clubs and commercial paintball projects.
 
This early history has been documented through firsthand recollections provided to WikiPaintball by fellow New Zealand player Michael Earley, who later played alongside Miheev.[1]
 
=== Move to New Zealand ===
 
Miheev moved to New Zealand while still of school age and settled in '''Pukekohe''', south of Auckland.
 
He attended Pukekohe High School, where he met fellow paintball player [[Michael Earley]].
 
Both had an existing interest in paintball and subsequently became involved in the South Auckland competitive paintball community.
 
Their association continued through several teams, clubs and commercial paintball projects over the following decades.[1]


== Early New Zealand paintball career ==
== Early New Zealand paintball career ==
Line 34: Line 20:
=== Red Alert Paintball Club ===
=== Red Alert Paintball Club ===


During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Miheev and Earley joined the '''Red Alert Paintball Club'''.
Miheev joined the '''Red Alert Paintball Club''' during his early years in New Zealand.
 
Red Alert was part of the wider South Auckland paintball community during a period when organised competitive paintball was developing through local clubs, independent tournaments and commercial fields.
 
The club provided a connection to other players interested in progressing beyond recreational paintball.


Miheev's involvement with Red Alert formed part of his early participation in the New Zealand tournament scene.[1]
The club was part of the Auckland tournament paintball community during the late 1990s and early 2000s, when regional competitions and independent teams provided opportunities for players to develop their competitive experience.


The exact dates of his membership and the club's complete organisational history have not been independently established.
His involvement with Red Alert helped establish his connections within New Zealand tournament paintball.[1]


=== Team Insane ===
=== Team Insane ===


Miheev subsequently played for [[Team Insane]], an Auckland-based competitive paintball team formed around 2000.
Miheev subsequently joined [[Team Insane]], an Auckland-based competitive paintball team formed around 2000.
 
The team was captained by '''Kevin Lunt''' and included players associated with the South Auckland competitive paintball community.


Other players associated with the early team included:
The team competed in regional and national tournaments, including three-man and seven-man competitions.


* Kevin Lunt
Team Insane appeared in the [[Valhalla National Rankings]] during the early 2000s.
* Andy Lunt
* Neil Morris
* Michael Earley
* Francis Hambrook
* Adam Hambrook


Miheev was part of the team's early playing group.[1]
The team finished second in the published 2001 national three-man rankings with 181.7 cumulative ranking points, behind DamNatives Red.[2]


Team Insane competed in regional and national tournaments during the early 2000s, including three-man and seven-man competitions.
Miheev's membership of the team is documented through firsthand recollections. The surviving rankings identify the team's results but do not provide complete individual player rosters for each competition.
 
The independent [[Valhalla National Rankings]] recorded Insane in second place in the published 2001 national three-man standings, with 181.7 cumulative ranking points, behind DamNatives Red.
 
The team was also recorded in the 2001 seven-man rankings.[2]
 
These results document the competitive history of Team Insane as an organisation. They do not establish Miheev's individual participation in every recorded event.


== Tournament refereeing ==
== Tournament refereeing ==


During his university years, Miheev became involved in refereeing major paintball tournaments in New Zealand.
During his university years, Miheev became involved in refereeing major New Zealand paintball tournaments.
 
His refereeing activities formed part of the volunteer and event-staff network supporting organised tournament paintball during the early 2000s.[1]
 
At the time, New Zealand tournament organisers frequently relied on experienced players to officiate matches.
 
Refereeing responsibilities included enforcing safety and competition rules, monitoring eliminations and supporting the administration of tournament games.
 
Miheev's experience as both a player and referee would later inform his involvement in tournament organisation and commercial field operations.
 
A complete record of the tournaments at which he officiated has not yet been recovered.


== Return to regular paintball involvement ==
His work included officiating at competitions in Rotorua and other events within the national tournament circuit.[1]


=== Renewed participation around 2009 ===
At the time, New Zealand paintball relied heavily on experienced players and volunteers to referee competitions and assist with tournament operations.


Miheev remained connected with paintball after his early tournament and refereeing years.
Miheev's refereeing experience provided a foundation for his later involvement in organising and supporting competitive events, both in New Zealand and internationally.


Around '''2009''', he encouraged Michael Earley to return to playing paintball regularly.
== Return to competitive paintball ==


This renewed involvement became part of a broader period of activity in Auckland paintball, eventually connecting both players with commercial field operations and new tournament organisations.[1]
Around '''2009''', Miheev became increasingly involved in regular paintball participation again.


=== Lock N Load Paintball ===
He encouraged former teammate Michael Earley to return to playing, helping renew their involvement in the Auckland paintball community.[1]


Miheev began working in the paintball industry at [[Lock N Load Paintball]] around '''2010'''.
This period marked the beginning of Miheev's transition toward a more significant role in commercial field operations and organised competitive paintball.


Lock N Load was a commercial paintball facility near Auckland International Airport, operating from 46 Nixon Road.
== Lock N Load Paintball ==


The venue developed a collection of themed recreational playing fields and was staffed by people with experience in the sport.
Miheev began working at [[Lock N Load Paintball]] around '''2010'''.


An April 2012 listing in the international World and Regional Paintball Information Guide (WARPIG) documented Lock N Load's location, facilities and services.[3]
Lock N Load was a commercial paintball facility operating from 46 Nixon Road near Auckland International Airport.


Miheev's work at the venue marked an important transition from tournament participation and refereeing into professional paintball operations.
The venue offered recreational paintball and themed playing fields, and became part of Auckland's commercial paintball scene during the early 2010s.[3]


His involvement contributed to the experience he later applied to developing and managing Asylum Paintball.
Miheev's work at Lock N Load provided experience in the operational side of the paintball industry, preceding his involvement in establishing Asylum Paintball.


== Asylum Paintball ==
== Asylum Paintball ==
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=== Establishment ===
=== Establishment ===


Miheev was part of the founding group behind [[Asylum Paintball]], established at the former Kingseat Hospital site in Karaka, South Auckland.
Miheev was part of the founding team behind [[Asylum Paintball]], established at the former Kingseat Hospital site in Karaka, South Auckland.
 
The business began developing the site in 2012 and opened its paintball operation during 2013.
 
Asylum occupied part of the former hospital complex, including buildings previously used as high-security wards.
 
The unusual location allowed the operators to develop a combination of indoor and outdoor recreational paintball, close-quarters playing areas and tournament facilities.
 
Miheev was involved in establishing and operating the business alongside '''Anton Klimenko''' and other members of the founding team.[1][4]
 
A contemporary 2014 media report identified Miheev and Klimenko as owners of the facility. The report was reproduced and discussed by an independent New Zealand blogger in April 2014.[4]
 
=== Management ===
 
Miheev became closely associated with the management and daily operations of Asylum Paintball.
 
The business's public directory listing identified him under '''management''', while Anton Klimenko was listed in an accounting role.[5]
 
Asylum operated recreational paintball fields, indoor close-quarters areas and competitive tournament facilities.
 
The business also supported local tournament teams and visiting international competitors.


Its facilities were used for training sessions, club competitions and larger tournament events.
Development of the venue began in 2012, with the paintball operation opening in 2013.


In addition to its commercial activities, Asylum provided infrastructure for the development of competitive paintball in Auckland.
Asylum combined recreational paintball with indoor close-quarters environments and outdoor tournament facilities.


=== Tournament facilities ===
A contemporary 2014 news report identified Miheev as one of the owners of Asylum Paintball.[4]


Asylum developed dedicated tournament playing areas, including inflatable Sup'Air-style fields suitable for speedball and X-Ball competition.
=== Management and development ===


The venue became associated with events organised by the [[New Zealand Paintball Players League]] (NZPPL), the [[South Auckland Paintball Club]] (SAPC) and independent tournament organisers.
Miheev was closely involved in the management and operation of Asylum Paintball.


A March 2014 media release confirmed that Asylum hosted the 2013 NZPPL series final and was scheduled to host further league events during 2014.[6]
The business developed into one of Auckland's established paintball venues, offering recreational games, indoor playing areas and dedicated speedball facilities.


The facility also hosted the South Auckland Paintball Club Race Series.
Asylum also became an important training and competition venue for New Zealand tournament paintball.


These activities made Asylum an important venue for competitive paintball during the mid-2010s.
The facility hosted regional and national events, including competitions associated with the [[New Zealand Paintball Players League]] (NZPPL), South Auckland Paintball Club and the Asylum Paintball Cup.[5]


=== Asylum Paintball Cup ===
Miheev's involvement helped connect commercial paintball operations with the competitive playing community.
 
Miheev's role at Asylum included supporting visiting teams attending major competitions at the venue.
 
The Asylum Paintball Cup attracted players from New Zealand and overseas.
 
In October 2015, Australian team '''Hard2Overcome''' published an account of travelling to Auckland for the Asylum Cup.
 
The team specifically thanked Miheev for helping arrange alternative accommodation after problems developed with its original booking.
 
The report identified him as the person running Asylum Paintball and acknowledged the assistance provided by Miheev and the venue staff.[7]
 
The contemporary account provides independent evidence of his involvement in hosting and supporting international tournament competitors.


== South Auckland Paintball Club ==
== South Auckland Paintball Club ==


Miheev was involved in establishing the [[South Auckland Paintball Club]], an organisation created to support regular competitive paintball in the Auckland region.[1]
Miheev helped establish the [[South Auckland Paintball Club]] (SAPC), which organised regular tournament competition in the Auckland region.[1]
 
The club developed a tournament series using Asylum Paintball as an important playing venue.
 
Its competitions offered opportunities for players at different skill levels, including open X-Ball and mechanical or pump divisions.
 
The SAPC Race Series became part of the New Zealand competitive calendar during the mid-2010s.


=== 2014 Race Series ===
The club developed the SAPC Race Series, using Asylum Paintball as an important tournament venue.
 
The 2014 SAPC season included four recorded tournament rounds.
 
{| class="wikitable"
|+ South Auckland Paintball Club Race Series, 2014
! Event
! Dates
|-
| SAPC February Race #1
| 8–9 February 2014
|-
| SAPC May Race #2
| 3–4 May 2014
|-
| SAPC July Race #3
| 12–13 July 2014
|-
| SAPC September Race #4
| 27–28 September 2014
|}


The results were recorded by PBLeagues.[8]
Its competitions provided opportunities for established teams and developing players to compete in modern speedball formats.


The series supported regular tournament participation without requiring teams to travel to major national events for every competition.
The 2014 SAPC season featured four tournament rounds, with results recorded in PBLeagues.[6]


The club also provided a pathway for new competitors to gain experience in organised speedball.
The organisation contributed to rebuilding and sustaining regular competitive paintball activity in South Auckland during the 2010s.


== ADHD paintball team ==
== ADHD paintball team ==
Line 205: Line 106:
Miheev was a founding member of '''[[ADHD (paintball team)|ADHD]]''', an Auckland-based competitive paintball team associated with Asylum Paintball.[1]
Miheev was a founding member of '''[[ADHD (paintball team)|ADHD]]''', an Auckland-based competitive paintball team associated with Asylum Paintball.[1]


The team became one of the leading competitors in the South Auckland Paintball Club Race Series during 2014.
ADHD became one of the leading teams in the South Auckland Paintball Club Race Series.


PBLeagues records ADHD's registration on '''15 January 2014''', with Asylum Paintball listed as its home field.[9]
The team's PBLeagues profile records its registration in January 2014, with Asylum Paintball listed as its home field.[7]


=== 2014 competitive season ===
=== Competitive achievements ===


ADHD recorded several notable results during 2014.
During 2014, ADHD won all four rounds of the SAPC Open X-Ball season, finishing first in the overall standings with 400 ranking points.[6]


{| class="wikitable"
The team also won a New Zealand Paintball Players League event in Auckland and competed internationally.
|+ Selected ADHD team results, 2014
! Competition
! Result
|-
| SAPC February Race #1
| 1st of 6
|-
| SAPC May Race #2
| 1st of 8
|-
| SAPC July Race #3
| 1st of 7
|-
| NZPPL Race 2-4 Event 2, Auckland
| 1st of 6, Pro X-Ball
|-
| SAPC September Race #4
| 1st of 5
|-
| World Cup Asia, Malaysia
| 12th of 22, Division 2
|}


Source: PBLeagues tournament database.[9]
=== World Cup Asia ===


ADHD won all four rounds of the 2014 SAPC Open X-Ball season.
ADHD participated in the '''2014 Paintball World Cup Asia''' in Malaysia.


The team finished first in the published season standings with '''400 ranking points'''.[8]
The team finished twelfth out of twenty-two entries in Division 2, according to PBLeagues.[7]


These are team results rather than an individually verified record of Miheev's participation in each match.
The event was part of the team's participation in the wider Asia-Pacific tournament scene.


=== World Cup Asia ===
The published results document ADHD's achievements as a team rather than Miheev's individual match participation.


ADHD competed at the '''2014 Paintball World Cup Asia''' in Malaysia.
== International tournament involvement ==


The event was held from 7 to 9 November 2014.
=== Paintball Asia League Series ===


The team finished twelfth out of twenty-two entries in Division 2, according to PBLeagues.[9]
Miheev was involved in tournament operations with the '''[[Paintball Asia League Series]]''' (PALS), an international competition series that brought together teams from across Asia, Oceania and other regions.


Its participation reflected the connection between the Auckland tournament community and the wider Asian competitive paintball circuit.
His involvement included working as part of the tournament staff and supporting the organisation and operation of international events.[1]


The team's appearance should be distinguished from Miheev's separate work with the organising staff of international Asian tournaments.
This represented a continuation of his earlier refereeing and tournament experience in New Zealand.


== International tournament involvement ==
=== Paintball World Cup Asia ===


=== Paintball Asia League Series ===
Miheev worked on the event staff at multiple editions of '''[[Paintball World Cup Asia]]'''.


Miheev became involved with the wider Asian tournament community through the '''[[Paintball Asia League Series]]''' (PALS).
The competition was one of the major international events within the PALS calendar, attracting teams and players from numerous countries.


His involvement included working as part of the tournament operations team rather than participating exclusively as a competitor.[1]
His participation connected him with the wider international tournament community and contributed to the operation of major competitions outside New Zealand.


PALS was an important international paintball competition network during the 2000s and 2010s, attracting teams and players from across Asia, Oceania and other regions.
The specific years and formal staff positions held at each event have not yet been independently established.


Its events required experienced referees, organisers and technical personnel to support competition across multiple divisions.
== Reavers paintball team ==


Miheev's previous experience in New Zealand tournament refereeing and commercial paintball operations provided a background for this work.
More recently, Miheev helped establish '''[[Reavers (paintball team)|Reavers]]''', continuing his involvement in the development of competitive paintball teams in New Zealand.[1]


=== World Cup Asia event staff ===
His involvement with Reavers followed earlier founding roles with Team Insane-era playing groups and ADHD, extending his participation in the sport across multiple generations of New Zealand tournament paintball.


Miheev worked on the event staff at multiple editions of '''[[Paintball World Cup Asia]]'''.[1]
The team's founding date and competitive record require further documentation.


These events brought international teams to Malaysia and formed part of the wider PALS competition calendar.
== Contributions to paintball ==


His involvement contributed to the operational side of international tournament paintball, alongside his activities as a player, team founder and commercial field operator in New Zealand.
Miheev's career has encompassed several different aspects of paintball, including competitive playing, refereeing, commercial field operations, club development and international tournament administration.


The exact years, formal job titles and full list of World Cup Asia events at which he worked have not yet been independently established.
His early involvement with Red Alert and Team Insane placed him within New Zealand's developing tournament scene during the late 1990s and early 2000s.


== Reavers paintball team ==
During the 2010s, his work at Lock N Load and role in establishing Asylum Paintball contributed to the development of commercial playing facilities and tournament infrastructure in Auckland.


In a later period of his paintball career, Miheev helped establish '''[[Reavers (paintball team)|Reavers]]''', a New Zealand paintball team.[1]
Through ADHD and South Auckland Paintball Club, he was involved in creating opportunities for regular competitive participation.


His involvement represented a continuation of his work supporting new teams and competitive participation after his earlier activities with Team Insane and ADHD.
His work with PALS and World Cup Asia extended his involvement beyond New Zealand into international tournament operations.


The team's founding date, complete roster and competitive results have not yet been independently documented.
His subsequent involvement with Reavers reflects a continuing commitment to developing teams and supporting competitive paintball.


== Career overview ==
== Career timeline ==


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
Line 299: Line 178:
|-
|-
| School years
| School years
| Moved to Pukekohe, New Zealand, and became involved in the South Auckland paintball community
| Moved to Pukekohe, New Zealand
|-
|-
| Late 1990s–early 2000s
| Late 1990s–early 2000s
| Member of Red Alert Paintball Club and player for Team Insane
| Joined Red Alert Paintball Club and played for Team Insane
|-
|-
| Early 2000s
| Early 2000s
| Refereed major New Zealand paintball tournaments during university years
| Refereed major New Zealand tournaments during university years
|-
|-
| Around 2009
| Around 2009
| Returned to regular involvement in competitive paintball
| Returned to regular paintball participation
|-
|-
| Around 2010
| Around 2010
Line 314: Line 193:
|-
|-
| 2012–2013
| 2012–2013
| Part of the founding and development team of Asylum Paintball
| Helped establish Asylum Paintball
|-
|-
| 2010s
| 2010s
| Helped establish South Auckland Paintball Club
| Helped found South Auckland Paintball Club
|-
|-
| 2014
| 2014
Line 323: Line 202:
|-
|-
| 2010s
| 2010s
| Worked with PALS tournament operations and at multiple World Cup Asia events
| Worked with PALS tournament operations and World Cup Asia event staff
|-
| 2015
| Involved in hosting international teams at the Asylum Paintball Cup
|-
|-
| Later career
| Later career
| Helped establish the Reavers paintball team
| Helped establish Reavers paintball team
|}
|}


Dates in this overview are approximate where based on personal recollections rather than contemporary published records.
Dates are approximate where based on firsthand recollections rather than contemporary published records.
 
== Contributions to New Zealand paintball ==
 
Miheev's involvement in paintball has extended across several areas of the sport.
 
As a player, he participated in the development of Auckland tournament teams from the early 2000s onward.
 
As a referee, he contributed to the administration of organised competition.
 
His work at Lock N Load and Asylum Paintball connected his competitive experience with the operation of commercial playing facilities.
 
Through Asylum and South Auckland Paintball Club, he helped provide infrastructure and regular tournament opportunities for Auckland players.
 
His involvement with ADHD contributed to a successful period for the team in the 2014 South Auckland Race Series, while his participation in the wider PALS community connected New Zealand paintball with international tournament operations.
 
His later involvement with Reavers continued this pattern of supporting the development of teams.
 
Miheev's career illustrates the importance of individuals who contribute to paintball in multiple capacities, including playing, refereeing, facility management, tournament organisation and club development.
 
== Historical sources ==


The early stages of Miheev's career, including his childhood participation in Latvia, move to New Zealand, membership of Red Alert and Team Insane, and university-era refereeing, are documented principally through firsthand recollections supplied to WikiPaintball.
== Sources and documentation ==


Later activities have stronger surviving published documentation.
Miheev's early paintball history, including his childhood involvement in Latvia, move to New Zealand, membership of Red Alert and Team Insane, and early refereeing, has been documented through firsthand recollections supplied to WikiPaintball.


Contemporary reports, business listings and tournament databases independently establish his management role at Asylum Paintball, the venue's involvement in New Zealand tournament competition and the recorded results of ADHD and the South Auckland Paintball Club Race Series.
His later involvement with Asylum Paintball, South Auckland Paintball Club and ADHD is supported by contemporary media coverage, business publications and tournament records.


The surviving material does not yet establish complete individual playing rosters, refereeing appointments or international event staffing records for every period of his career.
His work with PALS, World Cup Asia and Reavers is currently documented through firsthand recollections. Further event programmes, staff lists and team records may provide additional verification.


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 370: Line 226:
* [[Red Alert Paintball Club]]
* [[Red Alert Paintball Club]]
* [[Reavers (paintball team)]]
* [[Reavers (paintball team)]]
* [[Michael Earley]]
* [[Lock N Load Paintball]]
* [[Lock N Load Paintball]]
* [[Asylum Paintball]]
* [[Asylum Paintball]]
* [[South Auckland Paintball Club]]
* [[South Auckland Paintball Club]]
* [[New Zealand Paintball Players League]]
* [[Paintball Asia League Series]]
* [[Paintball Asia League Series]]
* [[Paintball World Cup Asia]]
* [[Paintball World Cup Asia]]
Line 380: Line 234:
== References ==
== References ==


# Michael Earley, firsthand recollections provided to WikiPaintball, October 2026. Documents Miheev's childhood involvement in Latvia, move to Pukekohe, participation with Red Alert and Team Insane, tournament refereeing, involvement with Lock N Load and Asylum Paintball, founding roles in ADHD and South Auckland Paintball Club, PALS event-staff activities and involvement with Reavers. Unpublished oral-history evidence.
# Michael Earley, firsthand recollections supplied to WikiPaintball, October 2026. Documents Miheev's early involvement in Latvia and New Zealand, membership of Red Alert and Team Insane, tournament refereeing, commercial paintball work, club and team founding activities, and PALS involvement. Unpublished oral-history evidence.
# [https://www.oocities.org/mercstar_nz/VALHALLA/2001Hall.htm Valhalla Hall of Heroes – 2001]. ''Mercenaries Star''. Contemporary national rankings documenting Team Insane's three-man and seven-man competitive results.
# [https://www.oocities.org/mercstar_nz/VALHALLA/2001Hall.htm Valhalla Hall of Heroes – 2001]. ''Mercenaries Star''. Historical national rankings documenting Team Insane's tournament results.
# [https://www.warpig.com/forums/fields/index/pg_Other.shtml Paintball Field Directory – New Zealand]. ''World and Regional Paintball Information Guide'' (WARPIG). Historic listings for Lock N Load Paintball and Asylum Paintball.
# [https://www.warpig.com/forums/fields/index/pg_Other.shtml Paintball Field Directory]. ''WARPIG''. Historical listing of New Zealand paintball venues, including Lock N Load.
# [https://pdubyah.com/2014/04/03/who-you-going-to-call-ghost-hunters-of-auckland/ Who You Going to Call? – Ghost Hunters (of Auckland)]. ''A Life Just as Ordinary'', 3 April 2014. Reproduces excerpts from a contemporary Stuff report naming Miheev and Anton Klimenko as Asylum Paintball's owners. The original report misspelled Miheev's surname.
# [https://www.stuff.co.nz/oddstuff/9892370/Mystery-at-the-asylum Mystery at the Asylum]. ''Stuff'', April 2014. Contemporary report identifying Miheev among Asylum Paintball's owners.
# [https://www.cylex.co.nz/company/asylum%20paintball-18135556.html Asylum Paintball Business Profile]. ''Cylex New Zealand''. Historical company information identifying Vitaly Miheev in management, Anton Klimenko in accounting and other members of the operating team.
# [https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1403/S00280/blacksheep-media-release-2013-nzppl-video.htm Blacksheep Media Release – 2013 NZPPL Video]. ''Scoop'', 16 March 2014. Documents Asylum Paintball's tournament facilities and involvement with NZPPL competitions.
# [https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1403/S00280/blacksheep-media-release-2013-nzppl-video.htm Blacksheep Media Release – 2013 NZPPL Video]. ''Scoop'', 16 March 2014. Documents Asylum Paintball's tournament facilities, its hosting of the 2013 NZPPL final and planned 2014 events.
# [https://pbleagues.com/league/262/seasonRankings/2014 South Auckland Paintball Club – 2014 Season Rankings]. ''PBLeagues''. Records the four-round SAPC season and ADHD's overall championship.
# [https://shop.dyepaintball.com/blogs/news/70494659-hard2overcome-heads-to-new-zealand Hard2Overcome Heads to New Zealand]. ''DYE Paintball'', 13 October 2015. Firsthand account from the Australian team describing Miheev as Asylum Paintball's operator and thanking him for assisting visiting players.
# [https://pbleagues.com/team/OsP8T5RKxmUCKT9A ADHD Team Profile]. ''PBLeagues''. Documents ADHD's competition history, including its 2014 World Cup Asia result.
# [https://pbleagues.com/league/262/seasonRankings/2014 South Auckland Paintball Club – 2014 Season Rankings]. ''PBLeagues''. Records the four-round SAPC season and ADHD's championship result.
# [https://pbleagues.com/team/OsP8T5RKxmUCKT9A ADHD Team Profile]. ''PBLeagues''. Records the team's registration, Asylum home field and tournament results, including World Cup Asia 2014 and the SAPC Race Series.


== External links ==
== External links ==


* [https://pbleagues.com/team/OsP8T5RKxmUCKT9A ADHD – PBLeagues team profile]
* [https://pbleagues.com/team/OsP8T5RKxmUCKT9A ADHD – PBLeagues]
* [https://pbleagues.com/league/262/seasonRankings/2014 South Auckland Paintball Club – 2014 results]
* [https://pbleagues.com/league/262/seasonRankings/2014 South Auckland Paintball Club – 2014 results]
* [https://shop.dyepaintball.com/blogs/news/70494659-hard2overcome-heads-to-new-zealand DYE Paintball – Hard2Overcome's 2015 Asylum Cup report]
* [https://www.cylex.co.nz/company/asylum%20paintball-18135556.html Asylum Paintball – historical business profile]


[[Category:New Zealand paintball people]]
[[Category:New Zealand paintball people]]

Revision as of 16:34, 14 October 2026

Vitaly Miheev is a Latvian-born, New Zealand-based paintball player, referee, field operator and tournament organiser. Originally from Riga, Latvia, he has been involved in paintball since childhood and has contributed to the development of recreational and competitive paintball in New Zealand and internationally.

Miheev was an early member of Team Insane, a founding member of ADHD and part of the founding teams behind Asylum Paintball and the South Auckland Paintball Club. His career has also included working at Lock N Load Paintball, refereeing major tournaments and serving on the event staff of the Paintball Asia League Series (PALS), including multiple World Cup Asia tournaments.

More recently, he has been involved in establishing the New Zealand paintball team Reavers.

Early life and introduction to paintball

Miheev grew up in Riga, Latvia, where he began playing paintball as a child.

He was a member of the Latvia Paintball Club before moving to New Zealand.[1]

After settling in Pukekohe, south of Auckland, Miheev attended Pukekohe High School, where he met fellow paintball player Michael Earley.

Their shared interest in paintball led to their involvement in the South Auckland tournament community, beginning an association that continued through several teams, clubs and commercial paintball projects.

Early New Zealand paintball career

Red Alert Paintball Club

Miheev joined the Red Alert Paintball Club during his early years in New Zealand.

The club was part of the Auckland tournament paintball community during the late 1990s and early 2000s, when regional competitions and independent teams provided opportunities for players to develop their competitive experience.

His involvement with Red Alert helped establish his connections within New Zealand tournament paintball.[1]

Team Insane

Miheev subsequently joined Team Insane, an Auckland-based competitive paintball team formed around 2000.

The team competed in regional and national tournaments, including three-man and seven-man competitions.

Team Insane appeared in the Valhalla National Rankings during the early 2000s.

The team finished second in the published 2001 national three-man rankings with 181.7 cumulative ranking points, behind DamNatives Red.[2]

Miheev's membership of the team is documented through firsthand recollections. The surviving rankings identify the team's results but do not provide complete individual player rosters for each competition.

Tournament refereeing

During his university years, Miheev became involved in refereeing major New Zealand paintball tournaments.

His work included officiating at competitions in Rotorua and other events within the national tournament circuit.[1]

At the time, New Zealand paintball relied heavily on experienced players and volunteers to referee competitions and assist with tournament operations.

Miheev's refereeing experience provided a foundation for his later involvement in organising and supporting competitive events, both in New Zealand and internationally.

Return to competitive paintball

Around 2009, Miheev became increasingly involved in regular paintball participation again.

He encouraged former teammate Michael Earley to return to playing, helping renew their involvement in the Auckland paintball community.[1]

This period marked the beginning of Miheev's transition toward a more significant role in commercial field operations and organised competitive paintball.

Lock N Load Paintball

Miheev began working at Lock N Load Paintball around 2010.

Lock N Load was a commercial paintball facility operating from 46 Nixon Road near Auckland International Airport.

The venue offered recreational paintball and themed playing fields, and became part of Auckland's commercial paintball scene during the early 2010s.[3]

Miheev's work at Lock N Load provided experience in the operational side of the paintball industry, preceding his involvement in establishing Asylum Paintball.

Asylum Paintball

Establishment

Miheev was part of the founding team behind Asylum Paintball, established at the former Kingseat Hospital site in Karaka, South Auckland.

Development of the venue began in 2012, with the paintball operation opening in 2013.

Asylum combined recreational paintball with indoor close-quarters environments and outdoor tournament facilities.

A contemporary 2014 news report identified Miheev as one of the owners of Asylum Paintball.[4]

Management and development

Miheev was closely involved in the management and operation of Asylum Paintball.

The business developed into one of Auckland's established paintball venues, offering recreational games, indoor playing areas and dedicated speedball facilities.

Asylum also became an important training and competition venue for New Zealand tournament paintball.

The facility hosted regional and national events, including competitions associated with the New Zealand Paintball Players League (NZPPL), South Auckland Paintball Club and the Asylum Paintball Cup.[5]

Miheev's involvement helped connect commercial paintball operations with the competitive playing community.

South Auckland Paintball Club

Miheev helped establish the South Auckland Paintball Club (SAPC), which organised regular tournament competition in the Auckland region.[1]

The club developed the SAPC Race Series, using Asylum Paintball as an important tournament venue.

Its competitions provided opportunities for established teams and developing players to compete in modern speedball formats.

The 2014 SAPC season featured four tournament rounds, with results recorded in PBLeagues.[6]

The organisation contributed to rebuilding and sustaining regular competitive paintball activity in South Auckland during the 2010s.

ADHD paintball team

Miheev was a founding member of ADHD, an Auckland-based competitive paintball team associated with Asylum Paintball.[1]

ADHD became one of the leading teams in the South Auckland Paintball Club Race Series.

The team's PBLeagues profile records its registration in January 2014, with Asylum Paintball listed as its home field.[7]

Competitive achievements

During 2014, ADHD won all four rounds of the SAPC Open X-Ball season, finishing first in the overall standings with 400 ranking points.[6]

The team also won a New Zealand Paintball Players League event in Auckland and competed internationally.

World Cup Asia

ADHD participated in the 2014 Paintball World Cup Asia in Malaysia.

The team finished twelfth out of twenty-two entries in Division 2, according to PBLeagues.[7]

The event was part of the team's participation in the wider Asia-Pacific tournament scene.

The published results document ADHD's achievements as a team rather than Miheev's individual match participation.

International tournament involvement

Paintball Asia League Series

Miheev was involved in tournament operations with the Paintball Asia League Series (PALS), an international competition series that brought together teams from across Asia, Oceania and other regions.

His involvement included working as part of the tournament staff and supporting the organisation and operation of international events.[1]

This represented a continuation of his earlier refereeing and tournament experience in New Zealand.

Paintball World Cup Asia

Miheev worked on the event staff at multiple editions of Paintball World Cup Asia.

The competition was one of the major international events within the PALS calendar, attracting teams and players from numerous countries.

His participation connected him with the wider international tournament community and contributed to the operation of major competitions outside New Zealand.

The specific years and formal staff positions held at each event have not yet been independently established.

Reavers paintball team

More recently, Miheev helped establish Reavers, continuing his involvement in the development of competitive paintball teams in New Zealand.[1]

His involvement with Reavers followed earlier founding roles with Team Insane-era playing groups and ADHD, extending his participation in the sport across multiple generations of New Zealand tournament paintball.

The team's founding date and competitive record require further documentation.

Contributions to paintball

Miheev's career has encompassed several different aspects of paintball, including competitive playing, refereeing, commercial field operations, club development and international tournament administration.

His early involvement with Red Alert and Team Insane placed him within New Zealand's developing tournament scene during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

During the 2010s, his work at Lock N Load and role in establishing Asylum Paintball contributed to the development of commercial playing facilities and tournament infrastructure in Auckland.

Through ADHD and South Auckland Paintball Club, he was involved in creating opportunities for regular competitive participation.

His work with PALS and World Cup Asia extended his involvement beyond New Zealand into international tournament operations.

His subsequent involvement with Reavers reflects a continuing commitment to developing teams and supporting competitive paintball.

Career timeline

Period Involvement
Childhood Began playing paintball in Riga, Latvia, with Latvia Paintball Club
School years Moved to Pukekohe, New Zealand
Late 1990s–early 2000s Joined Red Alert Paintball Club and played for Team Insane
Early 2000s Refereed major New Zealand tournaments during university years
Around 2009 Returned to regular paintball participation
Around 2010 Began working at Lock N Load Paintball
2012–2013 Helped establish Asylum Paintball
2010s Helped found South Auckland Paintball Club
2014 Founding member of ADHD, which won the SAPC Open X-Ball season
2010s Worked with PALS tournament operations and World Cup Asia event staff
Later career Helped establish Reavers paintball team

Dates are approximate where based on firsthand recollections rather than contemporary published records.

Sources and documentation

Miheev's early paintball history, including his childhood involvement in Latvia, move to New Zealand, membership of Red Alert and Team Insane, and early refereeing, has been documented through firsthand recollections supplied to WikiPaintball.

His later involvement with Asylum Paintball, South Auckland Paintball Club and ADHD is supported by contemporary media coverage, business publications and tournament records.

His work with PALS, World Cup Asia and Reavers is currently documented through firsthand recollections. Further event programmes, staff lists and team records may provide additional verification.

See also

References

  1. Michael Earley, firsthand recollections supplied to WikiPaintball, October 2026. Documents Miheev's early involvement in Latvia and New Zealand, membership of Red Alert and Team Insane, tournament refereeing, commercial paintball work, club and team founding activities, and PALS involvement. Unpublished oral-history evidence.
  2. Valhalla Hall of Heroes – 2001. Mercenaries Star. Historical national rankings documenting Team Insane's tournament results.
  3. Paintball Field Directory. WARPIG. Historical listing of New Zealand paintball venues, including Lock N Load.
  4. Mystery at the Asylum. Stuff, April 2014. Contemporary report identifying Miheev among Asylum Paintball's owners.
  5. Blacksheep Media Release – 2013 NZPPL Video. Scoop, 16 March 2014. Documents Asylum Paintball's tournament facilities and involvement with NZPPL competitions.
  6. South Auckland Paintball Club – 2014 Season Rankings. PBLeagues. Records the four-round SAPC season and ADHD's overall championship.
  7. ADHD Team Profile. PBLeagues. Documents ADHD's competition history, including its 2014 World Cup Asia result.
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