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'''Phoenix Tahiti''' is a competitive [[paintball]] team from [[French Polynesia]]. Founded in 2009, the team has participated in international paintball competitions in Asia, Oceania and the United States, including the [[Paintball Asia League Series]] (PALS), the New Zealand Paintball Players League (NZPPL), and the [[National Xball League]] (NXL).


'''Phoenix Tahiti''' (also known as '''Phœnix Tahiti''', '''Phoenix Authority''' and '''Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan''') is a competitive paintball team based in [[Tahiti]], French Polynesia. Founded in '''2009''', the team has competed internationally in Asia, Oceania and North America.
The team has competed under several names, including '''Phoenix Authority''', '''Phoenix Tahiti''' and '''Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan'''. Its wider history also includes earlier Tahitian international squads, including '''Fei Pi 1923''' and '''Tahitian Legion''', which shared players with the Phoenix teams.


Phoenix Tahiti has participated in competitions organised by the [[Paintball Asia League Series]] (PALS), [[New Zealand Paintball Players League]] (NZPPL), [[Almost Famous Paintball League]] (AFPL) and [[National Xball League]] (NXL).
Phoenix Tahiti's documented international results include fifth place in Division 3 at World Cup Asia 2017, third place at the New Zealand Race Series in 2023, and second place in Division 5 X-Ball at the 2025 NXL World Cup.
 
'''Ralph Tsing''' has been a long-standing captain and organiser of the team, with his leadership dating to at least 2010 according to firsthand recollections from former teammate [[Michael Earley]].[2]
 
Phoenix Tahiti competed under the alternative name '''Phoenix Authority''' at the 2012 Paintball World Cup Asia. Original tournament accreditation cards document six players associated with this entry, including Tsing and Earley.[2][3]
 
The team's international achievements include fourth place at the 2014 NZPPL International Pacific Championship, fifth place at the 2017 World Cup Asia, third place at the 2023 New Zealand Race Series finale and '''second place in Division 5 X-Ball at the 2025 NXL World Cup'''.[4][7][9]


== History ==
== History ==
Line 15: Line 10:
=== Formation ===
=== Formation ===


Phoenix Tahiti was established in '''2009''' by three friends who wanted to form a competitive paintball team combining players from different existing teams.
Phoenix Tahiti was founded in 2009 by three friends in French Polynesia.


The team's original public description emphasised enjoying the sport and bringing players together.[1]
According to the team's own description, its founders sought to bring together players from different established teams to compete internationally while maintaining an emphasis on enjoyment of the sport. [1]


Phoenix Tahiti developed within the French Polynesian paintball community, initially participating in local activities before establishing an international tournament presence.
The team subsequently developed international relationships with players and tournament organisations in New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia and the United States.


Its historical PBLeagues profile identifies '''Tahiti Ultimate Paintball''' in Punaauia as its home field.[4]
Ralph Tsing became one of the team's most extensively documented players and organisers, participating in international competitions and helping assemble squads for overseas events.


=== Ralph Tsing ===
The team maintained connections with competitive paintball in Tahiti, including players associated with Papara Paintball and Tahiti Ultimate Paintball.


'''Ralph Tsing''' has been closely associated with Phoenix Tahiti throughout its international tournament history.
=== Team names and international squads ===


Former teammate Michael Earley recalls Tsing serving as team captain from at least '''2010'''.[2]
Phoenix Tahiti's international competition history includes several related team names and mixed-nationality squads.


Tsing has continued to organise international tournament participation and has been involved in assembling teams for events outside French Polynesia.
The names Phoenix Authority, Phoenix Tahiti and Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan have been used at different tournaments.


His role in organising Phoenix Tahiti's 2023 New Zealand Race Series squad is independently documented in a contemporary interview published by Air Tahiti Nui.[7]
Earlier Tahitian teams, including Fei Pi 1923 and Tahitian Legion, included players who subsequently appeared for Phoenix Authority and Phoenix Tahiti.


The exact date on which he first became captain has not been independently established.
Although these squads shared players, the available records do not establish that every team name represented the same formal organisation.
 
The team's tournament history is therefore documented under the names used at individual events, while recognising the continuity of players and international relationships between them.


== Early international competition ==
== Early international competition ==


=== World Cup Asia, 2012 ===
=== World Cup Asia 2011: Fei Pi 1923 ===
 
Phoenix Tahiti competed at the '''2012 Paintball World Cup Asia''' under the alternative name '''Phoenix Authority'''.
 
Original tournament accreditation cards preserved in the personal collection of Michael Earley identify a '''Division 2''' entry registered as Phoenix Authority.[3]
 
Earley, who played with Phoenix Tahiti during the 2012 and 2013 seasons, confirms that Phoenix Authority was simply an alternative team name, rather than a separate organisation or combined squad.[2]
 
The photograph documents six named player credentials and three additional support credentials.
 
These records establish an international tournament appearance predating the team's September 2013 registration in PBLeagues.
 
The team's final placing at the 2012 tournament has not yet been recovered.
 
=== World Cup Asia, 2013 ===
 
Phoenix Tahiti competed at the '''2013 NAZA World Cup Asia''' in Malaysia from '''15 to 17 November 2013'''.
 
The team entered '''Division 3 RaceTo-2''' and finished '''47th of 54 teams'''.[4]
 
This is the earliest Phoenix Tahiti tournament entry in its surviving PBLeagues team history.
 
Michael Earley also recalls competing with Phoenix Tahiti during the 2013 season.[2]
 
The available records do not establish a complete player roster for the November 2013 tournament.
 
== Competition in New Zealand ==
 
=== NZPPL International Pacific Championship, 2014 ===
 
Phoenix Tahiti competed at the '''NZPPL International Pacific Championship''' in Auckland on '''25–26 October 2014'''.
 
The team entered '''Division 1 RaceTo-4''' and finished '''fourth of eight teams'''.[4]
 
This was an early documented top-four international finish for Phoenix Tahiti.
 
The event also strengthened connections between the Tahitian team and the New Zealand tournament community.
 
=== Asylum Paintball Cup, 2015 ===
 
Phoenix Tahiti returned to Auckland for the '''Asylum Paintball Cup''' on '''26–27 September 2015'''.
 
The event was held at [[Asylum Paintball]] in South Auckland.
 
The team competed in '''Open RaceTo-4'''.[4]
 
PBLeagues confirms the team's entry but does not provide a final placing in its surviving team results.
 
=== Auckland Paintball Cup, 2016 ===
 
Phoenix Tahiti competed at the '''Auckland Paintball Cup''' on '''16–17 April 2016'''.
 
The team entered '''Division 2 X-Ball''' and finished '''seventh of eight teams'''.[4]
 
The tournament represented another appearance in the Auckland competition circuit.
 
=== New Zealand Race Series, 2023 ===
 
Phoenix Tahiti returned to New Zealand in October 2023 for the final round of the '''New Zealand Race Series'''.
 
The event took place at '''Arena Paintball''' in Feilding.
 
Ralph Tsing assembled the squad following an invitation from tournament organiser David Hopkins.[7]
 
The team included five players from French Polynesia and two international players.
 
Phoenix Tahiti finished the preliminary stage with six victories, one draw and one defeat.


The team advanced to the semifinals against Ballistic Unit.
A Tahitian squad competed in Division 1 at the Paintball World Cup Asia, held in Langkawi, Malaysia, from 10 to 13 November 2011.


After recovering from a 2–0 deficit to lead 3–2, Phoenix Tahiti finished regulation time tied 3–3.
The team was identified as '''Fei Pi 1923''' in the original Paintball Asia League Series rankings.


Ballistic Unit won the deciding sudden-death point.
A pre-tournament announcement published by PALS International Liaison Director Allan Phang on 24 September 2011 listed the team as "Team Fei-Pi-Tahiti". [2]


Phoenix Tahiti subsequently defeated Charcharodons '''3–0''' in the third-place playoff.
The six players identified with the squad were:


The result secured '''third place of nine teams'''.[7]
* Ralph Tsing (Tahiti)
* Tafai Rai (Tahiti)
* Christian Veroux (Tahiti)
* Alexis Holman
* Bryce Carpentier
* Josh Alvarado


== Competition in Asia ==
The team finished 19th in the World Cup Asia Division 1 standings, earning 24 ranking points.


=== Paintball Asia League Series ===
Fei Pi 1923 subsequently appeared 22nd in the overall 2011 PALS Division 1 season rankings. [3]


Phoenix Tahiti has maintained connections with the [[Paintball Asia League Series]] (PALS), participating in tournaments that attracted teams from across Asia, Oceania and other regions.
The appearance is significant to Phoenix Tahiti's broader history because Ralph Tsing and Christian Veroux were subsequently documented playing for Phoenix Authority at World Cup Asia in 2012.


The team's international competition history includes several events in Malaysia and Thailand.
The precise organisational relationship between Fei Pi 1923 and Phoenix Tahiti has not been established.


=== World Cup Asia, 2017 ===
=== NZPPL Event 2, Hāwera 2012: Tahitian Legion ===


Phoenix Tahiti competed under the name '''Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan''' at the '''2017 Paintball World Cup Asia''' in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
A Tahitian squad competed at Event 2 of the 2012 New Zealand Paintball Players League season, held in Hāwera, Taranaki, New Zealand.


The tournament took place from '''10 to 12 November 2017'''.
The squad competed under the name '''Tahitian Legion''', although the surviving handwritten tournament scoreboard lists the team simply as Tahiti.


The team finished '''fifth of sixteen teams''' in '''Division 3 RaceTo-2'''.[4]
Contemporary photographs show the team wearing matching black jerseys with player names and numbers.


This was one of its strongest documented Asian tournament results.
Six players have been identified:


=== George Town International X-Ball Cup, 2018 ===
* Shane Gallagher (#25), a New Zealand player guesting for the squad
* Mani Voirin (#16)
* Christian Veroux (#88)
* Ralph Tsing (#27)
* Keke Brodien (#14)
* Manaurii Bousquet (#01)


Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan competed at the '''George Town International X-Ball Cup''' in Malaysia on '''19 October 2018'''.
The team competed in the Cup section alongside ADHD, Arachnids, D4, Hybrid, Tempest, Those Guys and Tiger Blood.


The team entered '''Amateur Division 2 RaceTo-4'''.
The surviving tournament scoreboard records Tahiti in fourth place after seven scoring rounds, with 329 points.


It finished '''fifth of seventeen teams'''.[4]
The same scoreboard identifies a third-place playoff between Tahiti and Tiger Blood, although the final result has not been established.


=== World Paintball Championship, 2019 ===
A separate team named Phoenix appears in the event's Plate competition. This was a Wellington, New Zealand team and was not Phoenix Tahiti.


Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan entered the '''2019 World Paintball Championship''' in Thailand.
The Tahitian Legion appearance documents another early overseas competition involving Ralph Tsing and Christian Veroux, both of whom also participated in World Cup Asia later in 2012.


The competition took place from '''29 November to 1 December 2019'''.
=== Paintball organisation in Tahiti, 2012 ===


The team entered '''Division 3 X-Ball, Mercy Limit 2'''.[4]
Surviving player identification cards from a Tahitian paintball event in 2012 provide evidence of organised competitive paintball within French Polynesia.


Its PBLeagues event listing confirms participation but does not provide a final team placing.
The cards carry Fédération de Paintball branding and identify the association Papara Paintball.


== Competition in the United States ==
Eight registered competitors are documented:


=== Almost Famous Paintball League, 2016 ===
* Nicolas Mesnard
* Teute Puairau
* Christian Veroux
* Ralph Tsing
* Heimanu Souday
* Joinville Souday
* Tuarii Souday
* Tamatoa Lepean


Phoenix Tahiti competed at the '''Almost Famous Paintball League (AFPL) SoCal Chaos #3''' tournament in Southern California on '''10–11 September 2016'''.
These records demonstrate that players subsequently associated with Phoenix Tahiti were participating in organised domestic paintball in 2012.


The team entered '''Division 4 RaceTo-3''' and finished '''eighth of eight teams'''.[4][6]
The identification cards do not independently establish that every registered competitor was a member of Phoenix Tahiti.


Former Phoenix Tahiti player [[Michael Earley]] was living in San Diego at the time.
== Paintball Asia League Series ==


He attended the same tournament as a member of [[SD Crush]], meaning he was unable to compete for Phoenix Tahiti on that occasion.[2]
=== World Cup Asia 2012: Phoenix Authority ===


The event was a documented appearance for Phoenix Tahiti in American tournament competition.
Phoenix Authority competed in Division 2 at the Paintball World Cup Asia, held in Langkawi, Malaysia, in November 2012.


=== NXL World Cup, 2025 ===
The event formed part of the Paintball Asia League Series and attracted teams from numerous countries across Asia, Oceania and other regions.


Phoenix Tahiti achieved one of its most significant international results at the '''2025 NXL World Cup''' in Kissimmee, Florida.
Phoenix Authority competed with a multinational squad because a complete team of Tahitian players could not be assembled.


The event took place from '''12 to 16 November 2025'''.
A contemporary report in the French Polynesian newspaper ''La Dépêche de Tahiti'', titled "Une honorable 17e place", identified the following players:


Phoenix Tahiti entered '''Division 5 X-Ball''' and advanced to the championship final.[9]
* Christian Veroux (Tahiti)
* Moana Le Foc (Tahiti)
* Ralph Tsing (Tahiti)
* Michael Earley (New Zealand)
* Tim Matthee (Australia)
* Badman Bud (Malaysia)
* Ku Zambree (Malaysia)


The team won three of its four preliminary matches before progressing through the elimination rounds.
The newspaper described the squad as comprising three Tahitian players, one New Zealander, one Australian and two Malaysian players. [4]


=== Preliminary results ===
The original Division 2 preliminary standings record Phoenix Authority in 17th position among 28 entrants, with 2.5 competition points, nine sets won and 12 sets lost.


{| class="wikitable"
The contemporary newspaper report confirms the team's final placing as 17th.


! Opponent
The 2012 appearance provides evidence of Phoenix Authority's early international activities and its use of mixed-nationality rosters.


! Result
It also connects several players from the earlier Tahitian Legion and Fei Pi 1923 squads to Phoenix Authority.


|-
=== World Cup Asia 2013: Phoenix Tahiti ===


| BR Barbies
Phoenix Tahiti returned to the Paintball World Cup Asia, held from 15 to 17 November 2013 in Langkawi, Malaysia.


| Won 3–0
The tournament was part of the Paintball Asia League Series and featured teams competing across four divisions.


|-
Phoenix Tahiti competed in Division 3.


| Filthy Few
==== Team roster ====


| Won 3–1
The six-player squad consisted of:


|-
* Ralph Tsing (Tahiti)
* Ku Zambree (Malaysia)
* Moana Le Foc (Tahiti)
* Sasha Dworatschek (Germany)
* Mando Hazree (Malaysia)
* Michael Earley (New Zealand)


| SoCal Havoc MOB
The roster comprised two Tahitian players, two Malaysian players, one German player and one New Zealand player.


| Won 3–0
Ralph Tsing, Ku Zambree, Moana Le Foc and Michael Earley had also participated in the 2012 Phoenix Authority World Cup Asia squad.


|-
The 2013 lineup demonstrates the continuing international composition of Phoenix Tahiti, with returning players joined by additional competitors from Germany and Malaysia.


| APF Family
==== Tournament results ====


| Lost 2–3
The original PALS 2013 Division 3 standings record Phoenix Tahiti finishing 47th at World Cup Asia, earning 31 points.


|}
The team was ranked 57th in the overall 2013 PALS Division 3 season standings, which listed 65 teams. [5]


=== Elimination rounds ===
PBLeagues independently records Phoenix Tahiti finishing 47th out of 54 teams at the 2013 World Cup Asia tournament. [6]


Phoenix Tahiti subsequently defeated:
The original PALS ranking and PBLeagues historical records use different points scales, although both confirm the team's final event placing.


{| class="wikitable"
The 2013 appearance was one of Phoenix Tahiti's documented early international tournaments under the Phoenix Tahiti name.


! Opponent
=== World Cup Asia 2017: Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan ===


! Result
Phoenix Tahiti returned to World Cup Asia in 2017, competing from 10 to 12 November at The ARC, Bandar Rimbayu, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.


|-
The team competed in Division 3, which featured 16 teams.


| Thunderducks
Its historical PBLeagues registration identifies the team as '''Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan''', a later version of the team's name, while the original event scoreboards use Phoenix Tahiti. [6]


| Won 3–0
==== Preliminary round ====


|-
Phoenix Tahiti competed in Group B against Splatmasters, BT D' Aquarian, Duck Vader, Octosquad, Order 66, KSM Paintballers and Hardinsert.


| Revolution
The team finished second in its preliminary group.


| Won 2–1
The recorded results were:


|-
* Competition points: 6
* Sets won: 11
* Sets lost: 5
* Set differential: +6


| Texas Rampage
The result qualified Phoenix Tahiti for the second round.


| Won 4–1
==== Second round ====


|-
Phoenix Tahiti advanced to Group Z of the second round, which featured Raptor Brunei, Octosquad and Order 66.


| SoCal Havoc Misfits
The team finished first in Group Z, winning all six sets played.


| Won 3–0
Its statistics were:


|}
* Competition points: 3
* Sets won: 6
* Sets lost: 0
* Set differential: +6


The victory against SoCal Havoc Misfits secured the team's place in the Division 5 championship final.[9]
Phoenix Tahiti advanced to the quarterfinals.


=== Championship final ===
==== Quarterfinals ====


Phoenix Tahiti faced '''Protocol D5''' in the final.
Phoenix Tahiti faced Order 66 in the Division 3 quarterfinals.


Protocol D5 won '''4–2'''.
Order 66 won the match by two sets to one, eliminating Phoenix Tahiti from the competition.


Phoenix Tahiti therefore finished '''second in Division 5 X-Ball''' at the 2025 NXL World Cup.[9]
Phoenix Tahiti finished fifth overall out of 16 Division 3 teams. [6][7]


The result was a major international achievement for the team.
The competition's leading Division 3 teams were:


It was a divisional result rather than an overall professional championship title.
* Champion: Kejahatan Aisawan
* First runner-up: BT D' Aquarian
* Second runner-up: Splatmasters
* Third runner-up: Order 66


== Players and personnel ==
Kejahatan Aisawan was a separate team from Phoenix Tahiti, despite the appearance of the Aisawan name in Phoenix Tahiti's historical registration.


Phoenix Tahiti has included players from French Polynesia and other countries throughout its international tournament history.
==== Tahitian and Malaysian collaboration ====


Its composition has varied between competitions.
Phoenix Tahiti's 2017 World Cup Asia performance received coverage in the French Polynesian newspaper ''La Dépêche de Tahiti'' on 15 November 2017.


The following records identify players associated with specific tournaments or, where complete event rosters are unavailable, their last recorded appearances in PBLeagues.
The article, titled "Cinquième place pour le team Tahiti-Malaisie", identified Ralph Tsing and Torea Adams as the Tahitian players involved in the tournament. [8]


A player's last recorded event does not establish participation in every earlier tournament entered by the team.
According to the report, the Tahitian participants had originally intended to compete with a full squad from French Polynesia.


=== World Cup Asia, 2012 ===
Financial limitations prevented sufficient players from travelling, and the tournament organisers arranged for them to join a Malaysian squad.


The original 2012 World Cup Asia accreditation photograph identifies six players under the Phoenix Authority team name.
Ralph Tsing described the fifth-place result as particularly satisfying because the combined team had been assembled for the event and had not previously trained together.


{| class="wikitable"
The newspaper published a photograph showing five players from the combined team.


|+ Phoenix Authority – World Cup Asia, 2012
The identities of the Malaysian participants in the photograph have not been independently established.


! Player
=== George Town International X-Ball Cup 2018 ===


! Evidence
Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan competed in the George Town International X-Ball Cup in Malaysia on 19 October 2018.


|-
The team entered the Amateur division and finished fifth out of 17 teams.


| '''Ralph Tsing'''
The result is recorded by PBLeagues under the Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan name. [6]


| Division 2 player accreditation
=== World Paintball Championship 2019 ===


|-
Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan was registered for the World Paintball Championship in Thailand, held from 29 November to 1 December 2019.


| '''Moana Lei Foc'''
The team competed in Division 3 under the Mercy Limit 2 format.


| Division 2 player accreditation
PBLeagues records its participation but does not provide a final placing. [6]


|-
== New Zealand competitions ==


| '''Christian Veroux'''
=== International Pacific Championship 2014 ===


| Division 2 player accreditation
Phoenix Tahiti participated in the NZPPL International Pacific Championship, held at Asylum Paintball in Kingseat, Auckland, New Zealand, on 25 and 26 October 2014.


|-
The team competed in Division 1 X-Ball and finished fourth out of eight teams. [6]


| '''[[Michael Earley]]'''
=== Asylum Paintball Cup 2015 ===


| Division 2 player accreditation
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.


| '''Ku Zambiri'''
The event is documented in PBLeagues, although the historical record does not include a final placing. [6]


| Division 2 player accreditation
=== Auckland Paintball Cup 2016 ===


|-
Phoenix Tahiti competed in the Auckland Paintball Cup on 16 and 17 April 2016.


| '''Tim Matthee'''
The team participated in Division 2 X-Ball, finishing seventh out of eight teams. [6]


| Division 2 player accreditation
=== New Zealand Race Series 2023 ===


|}
In October 2023, Phoenix Tahiti competed in the final round of the New Zealand Race Series at Arena Paintball in Feilding, New Zealand.


Source: Original World Cup Asia accreditation photograph, 2012.[3]
The event attracted nine teams and was organised by David Hopkins.


The photograph also shows:
Ralph Tsing assembled a squad consisting of five Tahitian players and two international participants.


* Two unnamed pit-crew credentials
The documented roster was:


* One unnamed coach credential
* Ralph Tsing (Tahiti)
* Torea Adams (Tahiti)
* Steven Wong (Tahiti)
* Emrick Amaru (Tahiti)
* Kevin Brodien (Tahiti)
* Brandon Miller (Australia)
* Jarryd Fouche (South Africa)


The credentials establish the named players' registrations, but do not independently confirm that every accredited player entered a match.
According to an interview with Ralph Tsing published by Air Tahiti Nui, Phoenix Tahiti completed the preliminary stage with six wins, one draw and one defeat. [9]


=== World Cup Asia, 2013 ===
The team reached the semifinals against Ballistics Unit.


Michael Earley confirms that he was involved with Phoenix Tahiti during the '''2013 season''', following his 2012 participation.[2]
After trailing 2-0, Phoenix Tahiti recovered to take a 3-2 lead before the match finished 3-3 in regulation time.


The team's PBLeagues entry confirms participation in the November World Cup Asia tournament.
Ballistics Unit won the sudden-death point, eliminating Phoenix Tahiti from championship contention.


However, the available records do not establish a complete roster or independently connect each historical member to that particular event.
Phoenix Tahiti subsequently defeated the Charcharodons 3-0 in the third-place playoff, finishing third overall.


=== NZPPL International Pacific Championship, 2014 ===
Expendables won the tournament after defeating Ballistics Unit 3-0 in the final.


The historical PBLeagues membership records identify the following player whose last recorded event with the team was the 2014 NZPPL International Pacific Championship:
Ralph Tsing had previously competed with Expendables in the first two rounds of the 2023 New Zealand Race Series. Those entries were separate from the Phoenix Tahiti squad assembled for the final round.


* '''Lepean Tamatoa'''
== United States competitions ==


The staff records also identify:
=== AFPL SoCal Chaos 2016 ===


* '''Heimanu Souday'''
Phoenix Tahiti competed in the American Federation of Paintball Leagues SoCal Chaos #3 event, held on 10 and 11 September 2016.


* '''Tuarii Souday'''
The team entered Division 4 X-Ball and finished eighth out of eight teams.


The player and staff associations are recorded in historical PBLeagues tables.[5]
The appearance is recorded in the team's PBLeagues historical profile. [6]


These names do not necessarily constitute the complete team roster.
=== NXL World Cup 2025 ===


=== Asylum Paintball Cup, 2015 ===
Phoenix Tahiti competed in the 2025 National Xball League World Cup, held in Kissimmee, Florida, United States, from 12 to 16 November.


The historical PBLeagues membership records identify two players whose last recorded event with the team was the September 2015 Asylum Paintball Cup:
The team entered Division 5 X-Ball.


* '''Joinville Souday'''
Phoenix Tahiti completed its preliminary schedule with three wins and one defeat before advancing through the elimination rounds. [10]


* '''Matatini Wong Chou'''
During the elimination stages, the team defeated:


Both have recorded associations with Phoenix Tahiti during more than one event.[5]
* Thunderducks, 3-0
* Revolution, 2-1
* Texas Rampage, 4-1
* SoCal Havoc Misfits, 3-0


The publicly available information does not establish the complete 2015 playing roster.
Phoenix Tahiti reached the Division 5 X-Ball final against Protocol D5.


=== Auckland Paintball Cup, 2016 ===
Protocol D5 won the championship match 4-2, with Phoenix Tahiti finishing second. [10]


The historical membership records identify the following players with last recorded team appearances at an April 2016 Auckland/Asylum tournament entry:
The result attracted media attention in French Polynesia and represented one of the team's most significant documented international achievements.
 
* '''Kevin Brodien Sr'''
 
* '''Philippe Danloue'''
 
* '''Rick Faafatua'''
 
* '''Tommy Paie'''
 
The historical individual listings describe the April event using the Asylum Cup name, while the team's main event history lists the April 2016 Auckland Paintball Cup.[4][5]
 
These are documented player associations for that competition period rather than an independently recovered complete match roster.
 
=== AFPL SoCal Chaos #3, 2016 ===
 
The historical PBLeagues membership records identify two players whose last recorded appearance with Phoenix Tahiti was the September 2016 AFPL event:
 
* '''Alfredo Valenzuela'''
 
* '''Christian Veroux'''
 
The historical staff list also identifies:
 
* '''Leo Heath'''
 
These records provide named team associations at the American event.[5]
 
Michael Earley, a former Phoenix Tahiti player, attended the same tournament competing for SD Crush and was not part of the Phoenix Tahiti playing squad.[2]
 
The full Phoenix Tahiti roster for the event has not been independently recovered.
 
=== World Cup Asia, 2017 ===
 
Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan finished fifth in Division 3 at the 2017 World Cup Asia.
 
The PBLeagues team results establish the event and final placing, but the available public records do not provide a complete individual roster for that tournament.[4]
 
Players appearing on later Phoenix Tahiti membership records cannot automatically be assigned to the 2017 event without further documentation.
 
=== George Town International X-Ball Cup, 2018 ===
 
The historical PBLeagues member records identify the following players whose last recorded team event was the October 2018 George Town International X-Ball Cup:
 
* '''Emir Rizal Maaruf'''
 
* '''Mat Zain Wan Fairul Anuar'''
 
Both are recorded in the historical membership database.[5]
 
Other players may have participated, but a complete event roster has not been recovered.
 
=== World Paintball Championship, 2019 ===
 
The historical PBLeagues records identify the following players whose last recorded team event was the 2019 World Paintball Championship in Thailand:
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
|+ Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan – 2019 documented player associations
 
! Player
 
! Recorded team events
 
|-
 
| '''Adams Torea Sr'''
 
| 6
 
|-
 
| '''Azmi Masian'''
 
| 3
 
|-
 
| '''Bahyu Fajri Jr'''
 
| 1
 
|-
 
| '''Johari Tambi Yahaya'''
 
| 1
 
|-
 
| '''Mohamad Roshidi Manjurni'''
 
| 3
 
|-
 
| '''Mohd Hijjas Adam Mohamed Amran'''
 
| 2
 
|-
 
| '''Ralph Tsing'''
 
| 8
 
|-
 
| '''Shahrizat Shami'''
 
| 3
 
|}
 
The staff records also identify:
 
* '''Katell Perennou''' – three recorded team events, with the 2019 championship listed as the last
 
Source: PBLeagues historical member and staff records.[5]
 
The event counts represent appearances recorded in the team's PBLeagues history rather than complete career totals.
 
The 2019 event is the last recorded entry for these members in the historical database. This does not independently establish their participation in every match or constitute a complete official tournament roster.
 
=== New Zealand Race Series, 2023 ===
 
The 2023 New Zealand Race Series squad is documented in a contemporary interview with captain Ralph Tsing.
 
{| 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
 
|}
 
Source: Air Tahiti Nui, October 2023.[7]
 
The squad combined five Tahitian players and two overseas players.
 
The published names differ slightly from some historical PBLeagues entries, including those for Torea Adams and Kevin Brodien. These variations have been preserved as published rather than assumed to be identical individual records.
 
=== NXL World Cup, 2025 ===
 
Phoenix Tahiti's Division 5 X-Ball runner-up finish is confirmed by the official NXL tournament records.[9]
 
However, the team's complete 2025 playing roster is not publicly displayed in the accessible PBLeagues archive.
 
A contemporary French Polynesian news report described three Tahitian participants associated with the team's World Cup result, but the accessible report does not establish their names.[10]
 
The 2025 players should therefore not be reconstructed from earlier Phoenix Tahiti rosters without further evidence.
 
=== Other historical members ===
 
The PBLeagues historical membership records also include:
 
* '''Andrew Harper''' – listed as a team member without a recorded event appearance
 
His inclusion in the database does not establish participation in a particular tournament.
 
The historical team staff records additionally identify Heimanu Souday, Katell Perennou, Leo Heath and Tuarii Souday, whose documented event associations are listed above.[5]


== Tournament results ==
== Tournament results ==


{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Phoenix Tahiti – Selected international tournament results
! Year
! Year
 
! Team name
! Tournament
! Tournament
! Country
! Country
! Division
! Division
! Result
! 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
| 2012
 
| Phoenix Authority
| Paintball World Cup Asia
| World Cup Asia
 
| Malaysia
| Malaysia
 
| Division 2
| Division 2, Phoenix Authority
| 17th of 28
 
| Player credentials documented; result unconfirmed
 
|-
|-
| 2013
| 2013
 
| Phoenix Tahiti
| NAZA World Cup Asia
| World Cup Asia
 
| Malaysia
| Malaysia
 
| Division 3
| Division 3 RaceTo-2
 
| 47th of 54
| 47th of 54
|-
|-
| 2014
| 2014
 
| Phoenix Tahiti
| NZPPL International Pacific Championship
| International Pacific Championship
 
| New Zealand
| New Zealand
 
| Division 1
| Division 1 RaceTo-4
 
| 4th of 8
| 4th of 8
|-
|-
| 2015
| 2015
 
| Phoenix Tahiti
| Asylum Paintball Cup
| Asylum Paintball Cup
| New Zealand
| New Zealand
 
| Open
| Open RaceTo-4
| Not recorded
 
| Participated; placing unavailable
 
|-
|-
| 2016
| 2016
 
| Phoenix Tahiti
| Auckland Paintball Cup
| Auckland Paintball Cup
| New Zealand
| New Zealand
 
| Division 2
| Division 2 X-Ball
 
| 7th of 8
| 7th of 8
|-
|-
| 2016
| 2016
 
| Phoenix Tahiti
| AFPL SoCal Chaos #3
| AFPL SoCal Chaos #3
| United States
| United States
 
| Division 4
| Division 4 RaceTo-3
 
| 8th of 8
| 8th of 8
|-
|-
| 2017
| 2017
 
| Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan
| Paintball World Cup Asia
| World Cup Asia
 
| Malaysia
| Malaysia
 
| Division 3
| Division 3 RaceTo-2
 
| 5th of 16
| 5th of 16
|-
|-
| 2018
| 2018
 
| Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan
| George Town International X-Ball Cup
| George Town International X-Ball Cup
| Malaysia
| Malaysia
 
| Amateur
| Amateur Division 2 RaceTo-4
 
| 5th of 17
| 5th of 17
|-
|-
| 2019
| 2019
 
| Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan
| World Paintball Championship
| World Paintball Championship
| Thailand
| Thailand
 
| Division 3
| Division 3 X-Ball
| Not recorded
 
| Participated; placing unavailable
 
|-
|-
| 2023
| 2023
 
| Phoenix Tahiti
| New Zealand Race Series finale
| New Zealand Race Series, final round
 
| New Zealand
| New Zealand
 
| Race format
| Five-man X-Ball
 
| 3rd of 9
| 3rd of 9
|-
|-
| 2025
| 2025
 
| Phoenix Tahiti
| NXL World Cup
| NXL World Cup
| United States
| United States
| Division 5 X-Ball
| Division 5 X-Ball
 
| 2nd
| '''2nd'''
 
|}
|}


Sources: Original 2012 accreditation photograph; PBLeagues; Air Tahiti Nui; official NXL World Cup results.[3][4][7][9]
The table includes documented appearances associated with the Phoenix Tahiti organisation and earlier Tahitian squads sharing identifiable players. It does not represent a complete record of every tournament entered by those players.


The table records selected confirmed international appearances rather than every event in the team's history.
== International players and collaboration ==


== Paintball in French Polynesia ==
Phoenix Tahiti's history has involved both Tahitian players and international competitors.


Phoenix Tahiti's international activities have continued despite challenges affecting competitive paintball facilities in French Polynesia.
Players documented in its competition records include Ralph Tsing, Christian Veroux, Moana Le Foc, Torea Adams, Steven Wong, Emrick Amaru and Kevin Brodien.


In August 2024, Tahiti Nui Télévision published a report about the shortage of sporting facilities.
International teammates have included Michael Earley of New Zealand, Ku Zambree and Mando Hazree of Malaysia, Sasha Dworatschek of Germany, Brandon Miller of Australia and Jarryd Fouche of South Africa.


Ralph Tsing described the loss of several paintball playing areas in '''2012''', including locations in Mahina, Papara, Punaauia and Mataiea.[8]
The team's participation in international tournaments has sometimes depended on combining players from different countries.


He also discussed the loss of a further practice location in the Punaruu area during '''2022'''.
The 2012 and 2013 World Cup Asia squads included competitors from several nations, while the 2017 World Cup Asia team was assembled through cooperation between Tahitian and Malaysian participants.


The loss of local facilities reduced opportunities for regular training and competition.
In 2023, Phoenix Tahiti again combined Tahitian players with international teammates to compete in New Zealand.


Phoenix Tahiti's continued participation in tournaments outside French Polynesia reflects the importance of international connections for the territory's competitive players.
These arrangements have enabled the team to participate in competitions that would otherwise have required assembling and transporting a complete roster from French Polynesia.


== Historical significance ==
== Legacy ==


Phoenix Tahiti is a notable example of sustained international paintball participation by a team from French Polynesia.
Phoenix Tahiti represents a long-running example of international competitive paintball participation from French Polynesia.


Established in 2009, the team has maintained a presence in international tournament competition over more than a decade.
Its history includes players competing in World Cup Asia as early as 2011, subsequent appearances in New Zealand and Malaysia, and later competition in the United States.


Its activities have connected Tahitian paintball with events in New Zealand, Malaysia, Thailand and the United States.
The team's development has involved changing tournament names, international player cooperation and participation across multiple competition divisions.


The team's history also demonstrates the changing composition of international amateur paintball squads, with players from French Polynesia and other countries participating together at different events.
Its documented achievements include fifth place at World Cup Asia 2017, third place at the New Zealand Race Series in 2023, and second place in Division 5 X-Ball at the 2025 NXL World Cup.
 
Original 2012 World Cup Asia credentials preserve details of an early tournament roster under the Phoenix Authority name.
 
Later PBLeagues records document the team's participation and identify numerous historical players and staff.
 
The 2023 New Zealand Race Series podium and 2025 NXL World Cup Division 5 runner-up finish represent significant documented achievements.
 
The team's continued international participation, despite challenges maintaining local playing facilities, forms an important part of the history of competitive paintball in French Polynesia.
 
== Historical documentation ==
 
The team's history is supported by several types of sources.
 
Its founding year is recorded in its original public description.
 
The 2012 player accreditation photograph and firsthand testimony establish early international participation under the Phoenix Authority name.
 
PBLeagues records provide tournament results and historical membership information from 2013 to 2019.
 
Air Tahiti Nui documents the 2023 New Zealand Race Series roster and podium finish.
 
Official NXL records establish Phoenix Tahiti's second-place Division 5 X-Ball finish at the 2025 World Cup.
 
Historical PBLeagues member records identify individual players' last recorded events, but do not provide complete accessible rosters for every tournament.
 
Consequently, player names are associated with specific events only where supported by accreditation, published rosters, firsthand participation evidence or the last-event information displayed in the historical database.
 
== 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]]
 
* [[Almost Famous Paintball League]]
 
* [[National Xball League]]
 
* [[NXL World Cup]]
 
* [[Ralph Tsing]]
 
* [[Michael Earley]]
 
* [[SD Crush]]


== References ==
== References ==


# [https://www.localgymsandfitness.com/PF/Papeete/180926158404/Phoenix-Tahiti-Paintball Phoenix Tahiti Paintball – Historical Team Description]. Reproduction of the team's published description identifying its establishment in 2009 by three friends.
# [https://www.localgymsandfitness.com/PF/Papeete/180926158404/Phoenix-Tahiti-Paintball Phoenix Tahiti Paintball]. Historical team description identifying its formation in 2009.
 
# [https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2018461/all Allan Phang, PALS World Cup Asia 2011 registration announcement]. 24 September 2011.
# Michael Earley, firsthand recollections supplied to WikiPaintball, October 2026. Confirms participation with Phoenix Tahiti in 2012 and 2013, Ralph Tsing's long-standing captaincy, Phoenix Authority as an alternative team name, and Earley's participation with SD Crush rather than Phoenix Tahiti at the September 2016 AFPL event.
# Paintball Asia League Series. "Division 1: 2011 Ranking." Original season rankings supplied to WikiPaintball.
 
# ''La Dépêche de Tahiti''. "Une honorable 17e place." 4 December 2012. Contemporary newspaper report on Phoenix Authority at World Cup Asia 2012. Original clipping supplied to WikiPaintball.
# Michael Earley, personal photographic collection. Original photograph of '''2012 Paintball World Cup Asia''' Division 2 accreditation credentials for Phoenix Authority. Identifies Ralph Tsing, Moana Lei Foc, Christian Veroux, Michael Earley, Ku Zambiri and Tim Matthee, alongside two unnamed pit-crew credentials and one unnamed coach credential. Supplied to WikiPaintball in October 2026. A separate photograph records names written in sand during the same tournament period.
# Paintball Asia League Series. "Division 3: 2013 Ranking." Original season rankings supplied to WikiPaintball.
 
# [https://pbleagues.com/team/qnCyzgX5g4pCgeVT PBLeagues: Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan]. Historical team profile and tournament results, 2013–2019.
# [https://pbleagues.com/team/qnCyzgX5g4pCgeVT Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan – Historical Team Profile]. ''PBLeagues''. Documents the team's home field, September 2013 registration and tournament appearances from 2013 to 2019.
# Paintball World Cup Asia 2017. Original Division 3 schedules, preliminary standings, second-round results, quarterfinals and final rankings. Tournament records supplied to WikiPaintball.
 
# Pereyre-Gobrait, Vaitiare. "Cinquième place pour le team Tahiti-Malaisie." ''La Dépêche de Tahiti'', 15 November 2017, p. 34.
# [https://pbleagues.com/team/qnCyzgX5g4pCgeVT Phoenix Tahiti – Historical Membership and Staff Records]. ''PBLeagues''. Historical player and staff tables, including recorded event counts and last-event information. Screenshots supplied to WikiPaintball in October 2026.
# [https://pf.airtahitinui.com/actualites/ambassador/paintball-ralph-tsing-enchaine-les-bons-resultats Air Tahiti Nui: Paintball, Ralph Tsing enchaine les bons résultats]. Interview covering Phoenix Tahiti's third-place finish in New Zealand, October 2023.
 
# [https://pbleagues.com/scores/L316/E8928/scores/finalsScores.html PBLeagues: NXL World Cup 2025 Final Scores]. Official tournament results for Division 5 X-Ball.
# [https://pbleagues.com/leagues/206 Almost Famous Paintball League]. ''PBLeagues''. Identifies AFPL as the Almost Famous Paintball League and documents its tournaments.
 
# [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 the Phoenix Tahiti roster, results and third-place finish at the New Zealand Race Series finale.
 
# [https://www.tntvnews.pf/sports/les-associations-sportives-en-mal-dinfrastructures/ Les associations sportives en mal d'infrastructures]. ''Tahiti Nui Télévision'', 30 August 2024. Report discussing the loss of paintball facilities in French Polynesia, including comments from Ralph Tsing.
 
# [https://pbleagues.com/event/8928 World Cup 2025 – Official Tournament Results]. ''PBLeagues''. Official NXL World Cup results confirming Phoenix Tahiti's Division 5 X-Ball runner-up finish following a 4–2 loss to Protocol D5.
 
# [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]. ''DROM-COM'', 20 November 2025. Reproduces French Polynesian news coverage of the team's runner-up finish.


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


* [https://pbleagues.com/team/qnCyzgX5g4pCgeVT Phoenix Tahiti – Historical PBLeagues team profile]
* [https://www.facebook.com/phoenixauthority/ Phoenix Tahiti on Facebook]
 
* [https://pbleagues.com/team/qnCyzgX5g4pCgeVT Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan on PBLeagues]
* [https://pf.airtahitinui.com/actualites/ambassador/paintball-ralph-tsing-enchaine-les-bons-resultats Air Tahiti Nui – 2023 tournament interview]
 
* [https://pbleagues.com/event/8928 2025 NXL World Cup – Official tournament results]
 
* [https://www.localgymsandfitness.com/PF/Papeete/180926158404/Phoenix-Tahiti-Paintball Phoenix Tahiti – Historical team description]


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

Revision as of 17:49, 14 October 2026

Phoenix Tahiti is a competitive paintball team from French Polynesia. Founded in 2009, the team has participated in international paintball competitions in Asia, Oceania and the United States, including the Paintball Asia League Series (PALS), the New Zealand Paintball Players League (NZPPL), and the National Xball League (NXL).

The team has competed under several names, including Phoenix Authority, Phoenix Tahiti and Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan. Its wider history also includes earlier Tahitian international squads, including Fei Pi 1923 and Tahitian Legion, which shared players with the Phoenix teams.

Phoenix Tahiti's documented international results include fifth place in Division 3 at World Cup Asia 2017, third place at the New Zealand Race Series in 2023, and second place in Division 5 X-Ball at the 2025 NXL World Cup.

History

Formation

Phoenix Tahiti was founded in 2009 by three friends in French Polynesia.

According to the team's own description, its founders sought to bring together players from different established teams to compete internationally while maintaining an emphasis on enjoyment of the sport. [1]

The team subsequently developed international relationships with players and tournament organisations in New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia and the United States.

Ralph Tsing became one of the team's most extensively documented players and organisers, participating in international competitions and helping assemble squads for overseas events.

The team maintained connections with competitive paintball in Tahiti, including players associated with Papara Paintball and Tahiti Ultimate Paintball.

Team names and international squads

Phoenix Tahiti's international competition history includes several related team names and mixed-nationality squads.

The names Phoenix Authority, Phoenix Tahiti and Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan have been used at different tournaments.

Earlier Tahitian teams, including Fei Pi 1923 and Tahitian Legion, included players who subsequently appeared for Phoenix Authority and Phoenix Tahiti.

Although these squads shared players, the available records do not establish that every team name represented the same formal organisation.

The team's tournament history is therefore documented under the names used at individual events, while recognising the continuity of players and international relationships between them.

Early international competition

World Cup Asia 2011: Fei Pi 1923

A Tahitian squad competed in Division 1 at the Paintball World Cup Asia, held in Langkawi, Malaysia, from 10 to 13 November 2011.

The team was identified as Fei Pi 1923 in the original Paintball Asia League Series rankings.

A pre-tournament announcement published by PALS International Liaison Director Allan Phang on 24 September 2011 listed the team as "Team Fei-Pi-Tahiti". [2]

The six players identified with the squad were:

  • Ralph Tsing (Tahiti)
  • Tafai Rai (Tahiti)
  • Christian Veroux (Tahiti)
  • Alexis Holman
  • Bryce Carpentier
  • Josh Alvarado

The team finished 19th in the World Cup Asia Division 1 standings, earning 24 ranking points.

Fei Pi 1923 subsequently appeared 22nd in the overall 2011 PALS Division 1 season rankings. [3]

The appearance is significant to Phoenix Tahiti's broader history because Ralph Tsing and Christian Veroux were subsequently documented playing for Phoenix Authority at World Cup Asia in 2012.

The precise organisational relationship between Fei Pi 1923 and Phoenix Tahiti has not been established.

NZPPL Event 2, Hāwera 2012: Tahitian Legion

A Tahitian squad competed at Event 2 of the 2012 New Zealand Paintball Players League season, held in Hāwera, Taranaki, New Zealand.

The squad competed under the name Tahitian Legion, although the surviving handwritten tournament scoreboard lists the team simply as Tahiti.

Contemporary photographs show the team wearing matching black jerseys with player names and numbers.

Six players have been identified:

  • Shane Gallagher (#25), a New Zealand player guesting for the squad
  • Mani Voirin (#16)
  • Christian Veroux (#88)
  • Ralph Tsing (#27)
  • Keke Brodien (#14)
  • Manaurii Bousquet (#01)

The team competed in the Cup section alongside ADHD, Arachnids, D4, Hybrid, Tempest, Those Guys and Tiger Blood.

The surviving tournament scoreboard records Tahiti in fourth place after seven scoring rounds, with 329 points.

The same scoreboard identifies a third-place playoff between Tahiti and Tiger Blood, although the final result has not been established.

A separate team named Phoenix appears in the event's Plate competition. This was a Wellington, New Zealand team and was not Phoenix Tahiti.

The Tahitian Legion appearance documents another early overseas competition involving Ralph Tsing and Christian Veroux, both of whom also participated in World Cup Asia later in 2012.

Paintball organisation in Tahiti, 2012

Surviving player identification cards from a Tahitian paintball event in 2012 provide evidence of organised competitive paintball within French Polynesia.

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 demonstrate that players subsequently associated with Phoenix Tahiti were participating in organised domestic paintball in 2012.

The identification cards do not independently establish that every registered competitor was a member of Phoenix Tahiti.

Paintball Asia League Series

World Cup Asia 2012: Phoenix Authority

Phoenix Authority competed in Division 2 at the Paintball World Cup Asia, held in Langkawi, Malaysia, in November 2012.

The event formed part of the Paintball Asia League Series and attracted teams from numerous countries across Asia, Oceania and other regions.

Phoenix Authority competed with a multinational squad because a complete team of Tahitian players could not be assembled.

A contemporary report in the French Polynesian newspaper La Dépêche de Tahiti, titled "Une honorable 17e place", identified the following players:

  • Christian Veroux (Tahiti)
  • Moana Le Foc (Tahiti)
  • Ralph Tsing (Tahiti)
  • Michael Earley (New Zealand)
  • Tim Matthee (Australia)
  • Badman Bud (Malaysia)
  • Ku Zambree (Malaysia)

The newspaper described the squad as comprising three Tahitian players, one New Zealander, one Australian and two Malaysian players. [4]

The original Division 2 preliminary standings record Phoenix Authority in 17th position among 28 entrants, with 2.5 competition points, nine sets won and 12 sets lost.

The contemporary newspaper report confirms the team's final placing as 17th.

The 2012 appearance provides evidence of Phoenix Authority's early international activities and its use of mixed-nationality rosters.

It also connects several players from the earlier Tahitian Legion and Fei Pi 1923 squads to Phoenix Authority.

World Cup Asia 2013: Phoenix Tahiti

Phoenix Tahiti returned to the Paintball World Cup Asia, held from 15 to 17 November 2013 in Langkawi, Malaysia.

The tournament was part of the Paintball Asia League Series and featured teams competing across four divisions.

Phoenix Tahiti competed in Division 3.

Team roster

The six-player squad consisted of:

  • Ralph Tsing (Tahiti)
  • Ku Zambree (Malaysia)
  • Moana Le Foc (Tahiti)
  • Sasha Dworatschek (Germany)
  • Mando Hazree (Malaysia)
  • Michael Earley (New Zealand)

The roster comprised two Tahitian players, two Malaysian players, one German player and one New Zealand player.

Ralph Tsing, Ku Zambree, Moana Le Foc and Michael Earley had also participated in the 2012 Phoenix Authority World Cup Asia squad.

The 2013 lineup demonstrates the continuing international composition of Phoenix Tahiti, with returning players joined by additional competitors from Germany and Malaysia.

Tournament results

The original PALS 2013 Division 3 standings record Phoenix Tahiti finishing 47th at World Cup Asia, earning 31 points.

The team was ranked 57th in the overall 2013 PALS Division 3 season standings, which listed 65 teams. [5]

PBLeagues independently records Phoenix Tahiti finishing 47th out of 54 teams at the 2013 World Cup Asia tournament. [6]

The original PALS ranking and PBLeagues historical records use different points scales, although both confirm the team's final event placing.

The 2013 appearance was one of Phoenix Tahiti's documented early international tournaments under the Phoenix Tahiti name.

World Cup Asia 2017: Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan

Phoenix Tahiti returned to World Cup Asia in 2017, competing from 10 to 12 November at The ARC, Bandar Rimbayu, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The team competed in Division 3, which featured 16 teams.

Its historical PBLeagues registration identifies the team as Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan, a later version of the team's name, while the original event scoreboards use Phoenix Tahiti. [6]

Preliminary round

Phoenix Tahiti competed in Group B against Splatmasters, BT D' Aquarian, Duck Vader, Octosquad, Order 66, KSM Paintballers and Hardinsert.

The team finished second in its preliminary group.

The recorded results were:

  • Competition points: 6
  • Sets won: 11
  • Sets lost: 5
  • Set differential: +6

The result qualified Phoenix Tahiti for the second round.

Second round

Phoenix Tahiti advanced to Group Z of the second round, which featured Raptor Brunei, Octosquad and Order 66.

The team finished first in Group Z, winning all six sets played.

Its statistics were:

  • Competition points: 3
  • Sets won: 6
  • Sets lost: 0
  • Set differential: +6

Phoenix Tahiti advanced to the quarterfinals.

Quarterfinals

Phoenix Tahiti faced Order 66 in the Division 3 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. [6][7]

The competition's 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 team from Phoenix Tahiti, despite the appearance of the Aisawan name in Phoenix Tahiti's historical registration.

Tahitian and Malaysian collaboration

Phoenix Tahiti's 2017 World Cup Asia performance received coverage in the French Polynesian newspaper 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 involved in the tournament. [8]

According to the report, the Tahitian participants had originally intended to compete with a full squad from French Polynesia.

Financial limitations prevented sufficient players from travelling, and the tournament organisers arranged for them to join a Malaysian squad.

Ralph Tsing described the fifth-place result as particularly satisfying because the combined team had been assembled for the event and had not previously trained together.

The newspaper published a photograph showing five players from the combined team.

The identities of the Malaysian participants in the photograph have not been independently established.

George Town International X-Ball Cup 2018

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

The team entered the Amateur division and finished fifth out of 17 teams.

The result is recorded by PBLeagues under the Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan name. [6]

World Paintball Championship 2019

Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan was registered for the World Paintball Championship in Thailand, held from 29 November to 1 December 2019.

The team competed in Division 3 under the Mercy Limit 2 format.

PBLeagues records its participation but does not provide a final placing. [6]

New Zealand competitions

International Pacific Championship 2014

Phoenix Tahiti participated in the NZPPL International Pacific Championship, held at Asylum Paintball in Kingseat, Auckland, New Zealand, on 25 and 26 October 2014.

The team competed in Division 1 X-Ball and finished fourth out of eight teams. [6]

Asylum Paintball Cup 2015

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 event is documented in PBLeagues, although the historical record does not include a final placing. [6]

Auckland Paintball Cup 2016

Phoenix Tahiti competed in the Auckland Paintball Cup on 16 and 17 April 2016.

The team participated in Division 2 X-Ball, finishing seventh out of eight teams. [6]

New Zealand Race Series 2023

In October 2023, Phoenix Tahiti competed in the final round of the New Zealand Race Series at Arena Paintball in Feilding, New Zealand.

The event attracted nine teams and was organised by David Hopkins.

Ralph Tsing assembled a squad consisting of five Tahitian players and two international participants.

The documented roster was:

  • Ralph Tsing (Tahiti)
  • Torea Adams (Tahiti)
  • Steven Wong (Tahiti)
  • Emrick Amaru (Tahiti)
  • Kevin Brodien (Tahiti)
  • Brandon Miller (Australia)
  • Jarryd Fouche (South Africa)

According to an interview with Ralph Tsing published by Air Tahiti Nui, Phoenix Tahiti completed the preliminary stage with six wins, one draw and one defeat. [9]

The team reached 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 sudden-death point, eliminating Phoenix Tahiti from championship contention.

Phoenix Tahiti subsequently defeated the Charcharodons 3-0 in the third-place playoff, finishing third overall.

Expendables won the tournament after defeating Ballistics Unit 3-0 in the final.

Ralph Tsing had previously competed with Expendables in the first two rounds of the 2023 New Zealand Race Series. Those entries were separate from the Phoenix Tahiti squad assembled for the final round.

United States competitions

AFPL SoCal Chaos 2016

Phoenix Tahiti competed in the American Federation of Paintball Leagues SoCal Chaos #3 event, held on 10 and 11 September 2016.

The team entered Division 4 X-Ball and finished eighth out of eight teams.

The appearance is recorded in the team's PBLeagues historical profile. [6]

NXL World Cup 2025

Phoenix Tahiti competed in 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 wins and one defeat before advancing through the elimination rounds. [10]

During the elimination stages, the team defeated:

  • Thunderducks, 3-0
  • Revolution, 2-1
  • Texas Rampage, 4-1
  • SoCal Havoc Misfits, 3-0

Phoenix Tahiti reached the Division 5 X-Ball final against Protocol D5.

Protocol D5 won the championship match 4-2, with Phoenix Tahiti finishing second. [10]

The result attracted media attention in French Polynesia and represented one of the team's most significant documented international achievements.

Tournament results

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 4th of 8
2015 Phoenix Tahiti Asylum Paintball Cup New Zealand Open Not recorded
2016 Phoenix Tahiti Auckland Paintball Cup New Zealand Division 2 7th of 8
2016 Phoenix Tahiti AFPL SoCal Chaos #3 United States Division 4 8th of 8
2017 Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan World Cup Asia Malaysia Division 3 5th of 16
2018 Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan George Town International X-Ball Cup Malaysia Amateur 5th of 17
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

The table includes documented appearances associated with the Phoenix Tahiti organisation and earlier Tahitian squads sharing identifiable players. It does not represent a complete record of every tournament entered by those players.

International players and collaboration

Phoenix Tahiti's history has involved both Tahitian players and international competitors.

Players documented in its competition records include Ralph Tsing, Christian Veroux, Moana Le Foc, Torea Adams, Steven Wong, Emrick Amaru and Kevin Brodien.

International teammates have included Michael Earley of New Zealand, Ku Zambree and Mando Hazree of Malaysia, Sasha Dworatschek of Germany, Brandon Miller of Australia and Jarryd Fouche of South Africa.

The team's participation in international tournaments has sometimes depended on combining players from different countries.

The 2012 and 2013 World Cup Asia squads included competitors from several nations, while the 2017 World Cup Asia team was assembled through cooperation between Tahitian and Malaysian participants.

In 2023, Phoenix Tahiti again combined Tahitian players with international teammates to compete in New Zealand.

These arrangements have enabled the team to participate in competitions that would otherwise have required assembling and transporting a complete roster from French Polynesia.

Legacy

Phoenix Tahiti represents a long-running example of international competitive paintball participation from French Polynesia.

Its history includes players competing in World Cup Asia as early as 2011, subsequent appearances in New Zealand and Malaysia, and later competition in the United States.

The team's development has involved changing tournament names, international player cooperation and participation across multiple competition divisions.

Its documented achievements include fifth place at World Cup Asia 2017, third place at the New Zealand Race Series in 2023, and second place in Division 5 X-Ball at the 2025 NXL World Cup.

References

  1. Phoenix Tahiti Paintball. Historical team description identifying its formation in 2009.
  2. Allan Phang, PALS World Cup Asia 2011 registration announcement. 24 September 2011.
  3. Paintball Asia League Series. "Division 1: 2011 Ranking." Original season rankings supplied to WikiPaintball.
  4. La Dépêche de Tahiti. "Une honorable 17e place." 4 December 2012. Contemporary newspaper report on Phoenix Authority at World Cup Asia 2012. Original clipping supplied to WikiPaintball.
  5. Paintball Asia League Series. "Division 3: 2013 Ranking." Original season rankings supplied to WikiPaintball.
  6. PBLeagues: Phoenix Tahiti Aisawan. Historical team profile and tournament results, 2013–2019.
  7. Paintball World Cup Asia 2017. Original Division 3 schedules, preliminary standings, second-round results, quarterfinals and final rankings. Tournament records supplied to WikiPaintball.
  8. Pereyre-Gobrait, Vaitiare. "Cinquième place pour le team Tahiti-Malaisie." La Dépêche de Tahiti, 15 November 2017, p. 34.
  9. Air Tahiti Nui: Paintball, Ralph Tsing enchaine les bons résultats. Interview covering Phoenix Tahiti's third-place finish in New Zealand, October 2023.
  10. PBLeagues: NXL World Cup 2025 Final Scores. Official tournament results for Division 5 X-Ball.
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