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Added ZAP Kiwis sponsored name at APPC 2005, Phoenix Authority accreditation, and appearances with Kacaworang, Hoodlums and Southern Alliance. Distinguished information printed on player cards from Earley's accompanying recollections.
 
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'''Michael James Earley''' (born 1984), also known as '''MikeE''', is a New Zealand [[paintball]] player, tournament organiser, referee and former paintball industry professional. Active since the late 1990s, he has participated in international tournament paintball and worked in commercial field operations, event organisation and sporting administration in New Zealand, Asia, the United States and Europe.
'''Michael James Earley''' (born 1984), also known as '''MikeE''', is a New Zealand [[paintball]] player, tournament organiser, referee and former paintball industry professional. His involvement includes international competition with [[Team Kiwi]] and [[Phoenix Tahiti]], commercial roles with [[Asylum Paintball]] and [[Giant Sportz]], and organisational work with [[South Auckland Paintball Club]] and [[Malta Paintball]].[2][3][6][7][8]


His involvement has included [[Team Insane]], [[Team Kiwi]], [[South Auckland Paintball Club]], [[Asylum Paintball]], [[Giant Sportz]] and [[Malta Paintball]].[1][2][3]
== Early involvement ==


== Early career in New Zealand ==
Earley began playing paintball in the late 1990s and assisted with recreational games and field operations at [[Commando One Paintball]] in Whangārata, near Tuakau.


Earley began playing paintball as a teenager in the late 1990s. His early involvement included working at [[Commando One Paintball]] in Whangārata, near Tuakau, south of Auckland, where he assisted with recreational games and field operations.
He began competing with [[Team Insane]] in 2000, with appearances at the [[Northland Open]] and [[Volcanic Rotorua]] in 2001. Team Insane placed second in the three-man category of the 2001 [[Valhalla National Rankings]], with 181.7 points.[1]


He began competing in tournaments in 2000 with [[Team Insane]]. His early appearances included the [[Northland Open]] and [[Volcanic Rotorua]] tournaments in 2001.
== International paintball ==


Team Insane competed in New Zealand's regional tournament circuit and finished second in the three-man category of the 2001 [[Valhalla National Rankings]], with 181.7 ranking points.[1]
=== New Zealand teams in Malaysia ===


== International competition ==
In 2004, Earley helped organise a [[Team Kiwi]] delegation to an international tournament at Xtion Paintball in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He refereed on Field 2 and assisted with commentary rather than competing. Team Kiwi finished fifth, and Earley documented the visit in a report published in January 2005.[2]


=== Team Kiwi and Malaysia ===
He returned as a player at the 2005 [[Asia Pacific Paintball Championship]]. According to Earley, the team entered under the sponsored name '''ZAP Kiwis''', which also appears on his surviving PALS player card.[2][9]


In 2004, Earley helped assemble and organise a [[Team Kiwi]] delegation for an international tournament at Xtion Paintball in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
=== Other Asian teams and tournaments ===


He accompanied the delegation as an organiser, served as a referee on Field 2 and assisted with tournament commentary. He was not a competing player on the 2004 team.
At the 2012 [[Paintball World Cup Asia]], Earley played for [[Phoenix Tahiti|Phoenix Authority]] in Division 2. A contemporary report in ''La Dépêche de Tahiti'' identified him as the New Zealand member of the multinational squad, which finished 17th of 28 teams. His player accreditation also records the Phoenix Authority name.[3][10]


The delegation finished fifth. Earley documented the tournament in a report published in January 2005.[2]
He returned with Phoenix Tahiti in 2013, when the team finished 47th of 54 entries in Division 3.[3] His accreditation for [[PALS Thailand 2013]] separately records him with '''[[Hoodlums]]''' in Division 2.[12]


He returned to Malaysia in 2005 to compete at the [[Asia Pacific Paintball Championship]] with a separate Team Kiwi lineup. According to Earley, the team competed under the sponsored name '''ZAP Kiwis'''. His surviving PALS player card identifies ZAP Kiwis as his team and New Zealand as his country.[2][9]
Earley's other Asian appearances included '''[[Kacaworang]]''' in the Open Division at a [[World Paintball Players League]] event at Wedna Hol Sports, which he dates to 2012, and '''[[Southern Alliance]]''' in the mechanical division at the [[2018 Paintball World Cup Asia]]. These affiliations are documented by surviving player cards and his accompanying recollections.[11][13]
 
Earley subsequently became involved in tournaments associated with the [[Paintball Asia League Series]] (PALS), including Malaysian national and international competitions.
 
=== Phoenix Tahiti ===
 
Earley played for [[Phoenix Tahiti]], a French Polynesian tournament paintball team, at international competitions in Malaysia.
 
At the 2012 [[Paintball World Cup Asia]], he competed with Phoenix Authority in Division 2. A contemporary report in ''La Dépêche de Tahiti'' identified Earley as the New Zealand member of the multinational squad, which finished 17th among 28 teams.[3] Surviving player accreditation also identifies his team as Phoenix Authority and his division as D2.[10]
 
He returned with Phoenix Tahiti for the 2013 World Cup Asia, competing in Division 3. The team finished 47th among 54 entries.[3]
 
=== Other Asian tournament appearances ===
 
Earley's surviving [[World Paintball Players League]] (WPPL) accreditation identifies him with '''Kacaworang''' in the Open Division and carries CAP3 branding. According to Earley, the event took place at Wedna Hol Sports in 2012; the printed 2013 date was the card's expiry year.[11]
 
His accreditation for '''PALS Thailand 2013''' lists him with '''Hoodlums''' in Division 2.[12]
 
In 2018, Earley played for '''Southern Alliance''' in the mechanical division at the [[Paintball World Cup Asia]]. His surviving accreditation identifies the team, year and division, with the event identification confirmed by Earley.[13]


=== United States ===
=== United States ===


During his time in Southern California, Earley competed with [[SD Crush]] in events organised by the [[Almost Famous Paintball League]] (AFPL).
In Southern California, Earley competed with [[SD Crush]] in [[Almost Famous Paintball League]] events. He also established [[SD Pump Crew]], a San Diego playing group focused on pump paintball.[4]
 
He also established [[SD Pump Crew]], a San Diego-based playing group focused on pump paintball.[4]


== Paintball industry career ==
== Industry and organisational work ==


=== New Zealand ===
=== New Zealand ===


Earley worked in marketing and operations for [[Lock N Load Paintball]], a commercial paintball facility established near Auckland Airport in 2011.
Earley worked in marketing and operations for [[Lock N Load Paintball]] near Auckland Airport and subsequently served as Marketing Director at [[Asylum Paintball]], based at the former Kingseat Hospital complex in Karaka. An Asylum business listing names him as a marketing contact.[5][7]


He subsequently served as Marketing Director at [[Asylum Paintball]], a recreational and tournament venue operating at the former Kingseat Hospital complex in Karaka, Auckland.
He was involved in developing the [[South Auckland Paintball Club]] (SAPC), initially associated with Lock N Load and later with tournament activities at Asylum. The club's Race Series included X-Ball and mechanical-pump divisions.[6]


An Asylum Paintball business listing identified Earley as a marketing contact alongside Vitaly Miheev, Anton Klimenko and Alex Diveg.[5]
In March 2014, a press release identified Earley as an Asylum spokesperson announcing video coverage of the 2013 [[New Zealand Paintball Players League]] season. It also identified Asylum as a venue for SAPC Race Series and NZPPL events.[6]
 
In March 2014, a press release published through Scoop identified Earley as an Asylum Paintball spokesperson in connection with the release of tournament video coverage from the 2013 [[New Zealand Paintball Players League]] (NZPPL) season.[6]


=== United States ===
=== United States ===


Earley worked for [[Giant Sportz]] in Southern California as Design, Marketing and Events Manager during the mid-2010s.[7]
During the mid-2010s, Earley worked for [[Giant Sportz]] as Design, Marketing and Events Manager. His responsibilities included marketing, design and event work associated with [[SC Village]], [[Hollywood Sports Park]] and [[Giant San Diego]].[7]
 
His work included marketing, graphic design, event organisation and field operations associated with [[SC Village]], [[Hollywood Sports Park]] and [[Giant San Diego]].
 
He also undertook refereeing and event management responsibilities at Giant Sportz facilities.
 
== Paintball organisations and administration ==
 
=== New Zealand ===
 
Earley was involved in the development of the [[South Auckland Paintball Club]] (SAPC), initially associated with Lock N Load Paintball and subsequently with tournament activities at Asylum Paintball.
 
The club organised regular competitive events, including the SAPC Race Series, which featured X-Ball and mechanical-pump divisions.
 
A March 2014 press release identified Asylum Paintball as the host of the SAPC Race Series and additional NZPPL competitions.[6]
 
Earley was also involved with the [[New Zealand Paintball Players Association]] and discussions concerning the regulation of paintball markers, firing modes and compressed-air equipment.
 
His wider activities in New Zealand included tournament organisation, refereeing and the development of opportunities for competitive players.


=== Malta ===
=== Malta ===


Earley relocated to Gozo, Malta, in 2024 and subsequently became involved with [[Malta Paintball]], a registered voluntary organisation promoting competitive paintball.
Earley moved to Gozo in 2024 and became involved with [[Malta Paintball]] as a non-executive strategic adviser, supporting administration, communications, international relationships and training-facility development.
 
He has served as a non-executive strategic adviser, supporting administration, international relationships, communications and the development of training facilities.
 
His involvement has also included supporting Malta Paintball's participation in the [[Central Paintball Premier Series]] (CPPS) in the United Kingdom and its national team programme.
 
In September 2026, Earley was a member of Malta's inaugural [[UPBF Nations Cup]] squad at the NXL European Championships in Dreux, France. Malta Paintball's published tournament report identifies him among the eight players representing the country.[8]


He has also contributed to the organisation's plans for player development, women's participation and referee training.
He also participated in the organisation's international programme, including the [[Central Paintball Premier Series]] in the United Kingdom. In September 2026, he represented Malta at its inaugural [[UPBF Nations Cup]] appearance at the NXL European Championships in Dreux, France. Malta Paintball's tournament report names him among the eight players in the squad.[8]


== See also ==
== See also ==


* [[Team Insane]]
* [[Team Kiwi]]
* [[Team Kiwi]]
* [[Phoenix Tahiti]]
* [[Phoenix Tahiti]]
* [[Paintball Asia League Series]]
* [[Paintball World Cup Asia]]
* [[South Auckland Paintball Club]]
* [[South Auckland Paintball Club]]
* [[Lock N Load Paintball]]
* [[Asylum Paintball]]
* [[Giant Sportz]]
* [[SD Pump Crew]]
* [[SD Pump Crew]]
* [[Malta Paintball]]
* [[Malta Paintball]]
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== References ==
== References ==


# [https://www.oocities.org/mercstar_nz/VALHALLA/2001Hall.htm Mercenaries Star, Valhalla National Rankings, 2001.] Historical rankings for Team Insane.
# [https://www.oocities.org/mercstar_nz/VALHALLA/2001Hall.htm Mercenaries Star, Valhalla National Rankings, 2001.] Team Insane's three-man ranking.
# [https://www.wikipaintball.com/index.php/Team_Kiwi WikiPaintball, Team Kiwi.] Historical account of the 2004 and 2005 Malaysian delegations, drawing on Earley's January 2005 tournament report.
# [https://www.wikipaintball.com/index.php/Team_Kiwi WikiPaintball, Team Kiwi.] Account of the 2004 and 2005 Malaysian delegations, drawing on Earley's January 2005 tournament report.
# [https://www.wikipaintball.com/index.php/Phoenix_Tahiti WikiPaintball, Phoenix Tahiti.] Historical tournament records, including ''La Dépêche de Tahiti'''s 2012 report "Une honorable 17e place" and the 2013 PALS results.
# [https://www.wikipaintball.com/index.php/Phoenix_Tahiti WikiPaintball, Phoenix Tahiti.] Sources include the 2012 ''La Dépêche de Tahiti'' report "Une honorable 17e place" and 2013 PALS tournament results.
# [https://www.facebook.com/groups/797011917106395/posts/3518308728310020/ San Diego Pump Paintball Crew, historical community post identifying Michael Earley and SD Pump Crew.]
# [https://www.facebook.com/groups/797011917106395/posts/3518308728310020/ San Diego Pump Paintball Crew, historical community post identifying Michael Earley and SD Pump Crew.]
# [https://www.cylex.co.nz/company/asylum%20paintball-18135556.html Cylex New Zealand, Asylum Paintball.] Historical business listing identifying Earley as a marketing contact.
# [https://www.cylex.co.nz/company/asylum%20paintball-18135556.html Cylex New Zealand, Asylum Paintball.] Business listing identifying Earley as a marketing contact.
# [https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1403/S00280/blacksheep-media-release-2013-nzppl-video.htm Scoop, "Blacksheep Media Release 2013 NZPPL Video", 16 March 2014.]
# [https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1403/S00280/blacksheep-media-release-2013-nzppl-video.htm Scoop, "Blacksheep Media Release 2013 NZPPL Video", 16 March 2014.]
# [https://me.sh/profile/michael-earley Michael Earley, professional career profile.] Identifies his roles with Giant Sportz and Asylum Paintball.
# [https://me.sh/profile/michael-earley Michael Earley, professional career profile.] Roles at Giant Sportz and Asylum Paintball.
# [https://primrose-plane-aasz.squarespace.com/news/maltas-first-nations-cup-building-from-dreux Malta Paintball, "Malta's First Nations Cup: Building from Dreux", 9 October 2026.]
# [https://primrose-plane-aasz.squarespace.com/news/maltas-first-nations-cup-building-from-dreux Malta Paintball, "Malta's First Nations Cup: Building from Dreux", 9 October 2026.]
# PALS player identification card issued to Michael Earley, identifying ZAP Kiwis, PR/AM and New Zealand. Private collection of Michael Earley; photograph supplied by the holder. The card carries “2006” at the top and “Valid thru: 2005” below. In accompanying personal recollections, Earley identifies it with the 2005 Asia Pacific Paintball Championship and confirms that ZAP Kiwis was Team Kiwi's sponsored name.
# PALS player card identifying Michael Earley, ZAP Kiwis, PR/AM and New Zealand. Michael Earley private collection; photograph and accompanying recollections supplied by Earley. He identifies ZAP Kiwis as Team Kiwi's sponsored name at APPC 2005. The card carries conflicting printed dates: “2006” and “Valid thru: 2005”.
# Phoenix Authority player and team accreditation, 2012. Private collection of Michael Earley; photograph supplied by the holder. Earley's card identifies Phoenix Authority and D2. His accompanying personal recollections confirm that this was the Tahitian team's registered name.
# Phoenix Authority player accreditation, 2012, identifying Michael Earley and D2. Michael Earley private collection; photograph supplied by Earley.
# WPPL/CAP3 player identification card issued to Michael Earley, identifying Kacaworang and Open Division. Private collection of Michael Earley; photograph supplied by the holder. In accompanying personal recollections, Earley identifies the event as taking place at Wedna Hol Sports in 2012 and the printed 2013 date as the card's expiry year.
# WPPL/CAP3 player card identifying Michael Earley, Kacaworang and Open Division. Michael Earley private collection; photograph and accompanying recollections supplied by Earley. He identifies the event as taking place at Wedna Hol Sports in 2012 and the printed 2013 date as the card's expiry year.
# PALS Thailand 2013 player identification card, identifying Hoodlums and Division 2. Private collection of Michael Earley; photograph supplied by the holder. The holder's surname is printed as “Early”.
# PALS Thailand 2013 player card identifying Hoodlums and D2. Michael Earley private collection; photograph supplied by Earley. His surname is printed as “Early”.
# Tournament player identification card, 2018, identifying Michael Earley, Team Southern Alliance and Mech Division. Private collection of Michael Earley; photograph supplied by the holder. In accompanying personal recollections, Earley identifies the event as PALS World Cup Asia 2018.
# Player card identifying Michael Earley, Team Southern Alliance, Mech Division and 2018. Michael Earley private collection; photograph and accompanying recollections supplied by Earley, who identifies the event as PALS World Cup Asia 2018.


== External links ==
== External links ==
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* [https://www.maltapaintball.org/ Malta Paintball official website]
* [https://www.maltapaintball.org/ Malta Paintball official website]


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

Latest revision as of 04:42, 24 October 2026

Michael James Earley (born 1984), also known as MikeE, is a New Zealand paintball player, tournament organiser, referee and former paintball industry professional. His involvement includes international competition with Team Kiwi and Phoenix Tahiti, commercial roles with Asylum Paintball and Giant Sportz, and organisational work with South Auckland Paintball Club and Malta Paintball.[2][3][6][7][8]

Early involvement

Earley began playing paintball in the late 1990s and assisted with recreational games and field operations at Commando One Paintball in Whangārata, near Tuakau.

He began competing with Team Insane in 2000, with appearances at the Northland Open and Volcanic Rotorua in 2001. Team Insane placed second in the three-man category of the 2001 Valhalla National Rankings, with 181.7 points.[1]

International paintball

New Zealand teams in Malaysia

In 2004, Earley helped organise a Team Kiwi delegation to an international tournament at Xtion Paintball in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He refereed on Field 2 and assisted with commentary rather than competing. Team Kiwi finished fifth, and Earley documented the visit in a report published in January 2005.[2]

He returned as a player at the 2005 Asia Pacific Paintball Championship. According to Earley, the team entered under the sponsored name ZAP Kiwis, which also appears on his surviving PALS player card.[2][9]

Other Asian teams and tournaments

At the 2012 Paintball World Cup Asia, Earley played for Phoenix Authority in Division 2. A contemporary report in La Dépêche de Tahiti identified him as the New Zealand member of the multinational squad, which finished 17th of 28 teams. His player accreditation also records the Phoenix Authority name.[3][10]

He returned with Phoenix Tahiti in 2013, when the team finished 47th of 54 entries in Division 3.[3] His accreditation for PALS Thailand 2013 separately records him with Hoodlums in Division 2.[12]

Earley's other Asian appearances included Kacaworang in the Open Division at a World Paintball Players League event at Wedna Hol Sports, which he dates to 2012, and Southern Alliance in the mechanical division at the 2018 Paintball World Cup Asia. These affiliations are documented by surviving player cards and his accompanying recollections.[11][13]

United States

In Southern California, Earley competed with SD Crush in Almost Famous Paintball League events. He also established SD Pump Crew, a San Diego playing group focused on pump paintball.[4]

Industry and organisational work

New Zealand

Earley worked in marketing and operations for Lock N Load Paintball near Auckland Airport and subsequently served as Marketing Director at Asylum Paintball, based at the former Kingseat Hospital complex in Karaka. An Asylum business listing names him as a marketing contact.[5][7]

He was involved in developing the South Auckland Paintball Club (SAPC), initially associated with Lock N Load and later with tournament activities at Asylum. The club's Race Series included X-Ball and mechanical-pump divisions.[6]

In March 2014, a press release identified Earley as an Asylum spokesperson announcing video coverage of the 2013 New Zealand Paintball Players League season. It also identified Asylum as a venue for SAPC Race Series and NZPPL events.[6]

United States

During the mid-2010s, Earley worked for Giant Sportz as Design, Marketing and Events Manager. His responsibilities included marketing, design and event work associated with SC Village, Hollywood Sports Park and Giant San Diego.[7]

Malta

Earley moved to Gozo in 2024 and became involved with Malta Paintball as a non-executive strategic adviser, supporting administration, communications, international relationships and training-facility development.

He also participated in the organisation's international programme, including the Central Paintball Premier Series in the United Kingdom. In September 2026, he represented Malta at its inaugural UPBF Nations Cup appearance at the NXL European Championships in Dreux, France. Malta Paintball's tournament report names him among the eight players in the squad.[8]

See also

References

  1. Mercenaries Star, Valhalla National Rankings, 2001. Team Insane's three-man ranking.
  2. WikiPaintball, Team Kiwi. Account of the 2004 and 2005 Malaysian delegations, drawing on Earley's January 2005 tournament report.
  3. WikiPaintball, Phoenix Tahiti. Sources include the 2012 La Dépêche de Tahiti report "Une honorable 17e place" and 2013 PALS tournament results.
  4. San Diego Pump Paintball Crew, historical community post identifying Michael Earley and SD Pump Crew.
  5. Cylex New Zealand, Asylum Paintball. Business listing identifying Earley as a marketing contact.
  6. Scoop, "Blacksheep Media Release 2013 NZPPL Video", 16 March 2014.
  7. Michael Earley, professional career profile. Roles at Giant Sportz and Asylum Paintball.
  8. Malta Paintball, "Malta's First Nations Cup: Building from Dreux", 9 October 2026.
  9. PALS player card identifying Michael Earley, ZAP Kiwis, PR/AM and New Zealand. Michael Earley private collection; photograph and accompanying recollections supplied by Earley. He identifies ZAP Kiwis as Team Kiwi's sponsored name at APPC 2005. The card carries conflicting printed dates: “2006” and “Valid thru: 2005”.
  10. Phoenix Authority player accreditation, 2012, identifying Michael Earley and D2. Michael Earley private collection; photograph supplied by Earley.
  11. WPPL/CAP3 player card identifying Michael Earley, Kacaworang and Open Division. Michael Earley private collection; photograph and accompanying recollections supplied by Earley. He identifies the event as taking place at Wedna Hol Sports in 2012 and the printed 2013 date as the card's expiry year.
  12. PALS Thailand 2013 player card identifying Hoodlums and D2. Michael Earley private collection; photograph supplied by Earley. His surname is printed as “Early”.
  13. Player card identifying Michael Earley, Team Southern Alliance, Mech Division and 2018. Michael Earley private collection; photograph and accompanying recollections supplied by Earley, who identifies the event as PALS World Cup Asia 2018.
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