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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. 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] |
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| '''Michael Earley''' (born 1984), also known as '''MikeE''', is a New Zealand paintball player, tournament organiser, referee and former paintball industry professional. Active in the sport since the late 1990s, he has participated in competitive paintball and worked in field operations, tournament organisation and sporting administration in New Zealand, Asia, the United States and Europe.
| | == Early involvement == |
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| Earley was involved in organising New Zealand's participation in an international paintball tournament in Malaysia in 2004 through [[Team Kiwi]], helped establish the [[South Auckland Paintball Club]] and founded [[SD Pump Crew]] in Southern California. His professional career in paintball included positions with [[Lock N Load Paintball]], [[Asylum Paintball]] and [[Giant Sportz]], including work associated with [[Giant San Diego]], [[SC Village]] and [[Hollywood Sports Park]]. | | Earley began playing paintball in the late 1990s and assisted with recreational games and field operations at [[Commando One Paintball]] in Whangārata, near Tuakau. |
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| Since moving to Malta in 2024, Earley has supported the development of [[Malta Paintball]], including its administration, international relationships, player development and participation in overseas competitions.
| | 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] |
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| {| class="wikitable"
| | == International paintball == |
| |+ Michael Earley
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| |-
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| ! Full name
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| | Michael James Earley
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| |-
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| ! Also known as
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| | MikeE
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| |-
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| ! Born
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| | 1984
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| |-
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| ! Country
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| | New Zealand
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| |-
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| ! Residence
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| | Gozo, Malta
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| |-
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| ! Sport
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| | [[Paintball]]
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| |-
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| ! Disciplines
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| | Speedball, X-Ball, pump paintball
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| |-
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| ! Occupations
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| | Paintball player, tournament organiser, referee, industry professional
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| |-
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| ! Teams and playing groups
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| | [[Team Insane]], [[Team Kiwi]], [[Phoenix Tahiti]], [[SD Crush]], [[SD Pump Crew]]
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| |-
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| ! Founded or co-founded
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| | [[South Auckland Paintball Club]], [[SD Pump Crew]]
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| |-
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| ! Associated organisations
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| | [[New Zealand Paintball Association]], [[Malta Paintball]]
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| |-
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| ! Former employers
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| | [[Lock N Load Paintball]], [[Asylum Paintball]], [[Giant Sportz]]
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| |-
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| ! First tournament
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| | 2000
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| |-
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| ! Years active
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| | Late 1990s–present
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| |}
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| == Early career in New Zealand == | | === New Zealand teams in Malaysia === |
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| === Commando One Paintball ===
| | 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] |
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| Earley began participating in paintball as a teenager in New Zealand during the late 1990s.
| | 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] |
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| He subsequently worked at [[Commando One Paintball]], a recreational paintball business operated by Rob Tapper at Whangārata, near Tuakau, south of Auckland.
| | === Other Asian teams and tournaments === |
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| His responsibilities included refereeing recreational games and assisting with field operations. | | 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] |
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| This was his introduction to the commercial paintball industry, preceding his later involvement in tournament organisation and field management.
| | 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] |
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| === Team Insane ===
| | 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] |
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| Earley began competing in tournament paintball in 2000 with [[Team Insane]], a New Zealand team active during the early 2000s.
| | === United States === |
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| His early tournament appearances included the 2001 Northland Open and competitions in Rotorua.
| | 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] |
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| During this period, Earley became involved in New Zealand's developing competitive paintball community, which consisted largely of independent teams, field-operated tournaments and regional competitions.
| | == Industry and organisational work == |
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| == Team Kiwi and international competition == | | === New Zealand === |
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| === Malaysia 2004 ===
| | 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] |
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| Earley was involved in organising [[Team Kiwi]], a New Zealand delegation that travelled to Malaysia for an international paintball tournament in 2004.
| | 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] |
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| The tournament was held at Xtion Paintball in Kuala Lumpur.
| | 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] |
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| Earley assisted with selecting and organising the delegation and travelled with the team.
| | === United States === |
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| At the tournament, he served as a referee on Field 2 and assisted with commentary rather than competing as a player.
| | 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] |
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| Team Kiwi finished fifth in the competition.
| | === Malta === |
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| In January 2005, Earley published an account of the delegation's participation, describing the tournament, the New Zealand team's involvement and discussions with Malaysian paintball representatives.[1]
| | 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. |
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| The visit also included contact with members of the Malaysian paintball community concerning international competition and the development of organised paintball.
| | 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] |
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| === Asia Pacific Championship 2005 ===
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| Earley returned to Malaysia in 2005 for the Asia Pacific Paintball Championship.
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| The New Zealand group included Peter Mumby, Gavin Mumby and Jason Newport.
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| The tournament began on 30 September 2005 at Xtion Paintball in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.
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| The trip continued Earley's involvement in international paintball between New Zealand and Malaysia.
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| === Later Asian competition ===
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| Earley subsequently participated in tournaments associated with the [[Paintball Asia League Series]] and other Asian competitions.
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| His international playing experience included appearances with [[Phoenix Tahiti]], a team from French Polynesia competing in the regional tournament circuit.
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| He also participated in the Malaysian Nations Cup in 2008. | |
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| During 2012–2014, Earley lived in Thailand and participated in the Bangkok competitive paintball community, including training at [[Expressway Paintball Club]].
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| == Paintball administration in New Zealand ==
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| === New Zealand Paintball Association ===
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| Earley was involved in the [[New Zealand Paintball Association]] and efforts to develop a more formal organisational structure for the sport.
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| His work included engagement with regulatory issues affecting paintball in New Zealand, particularly the treatment of paintball markers, firing modes and compressed-air equipment.
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| He also worked with other members of the New Zealand paintball community on matters concerning national representation and international participation.
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| These activities formed part of broader efforts to establish paintball as an organised competitive sport rather than solely a recreational activity.
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| === South Auckland Paintball Club ===
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| Earley was a founder of the [[South Auckland Paintball Club]] (SAPC), established to support regular competitive paintball participation in the Auckland region.
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| The club organised training opportunities and competitive events for local players.
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| SAPC became associated with the South Auckland Paintball Club Race Series, which was hosted at Asylum Paintball.
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| The series provided local tournament opportunities using race-format competitive speedball.
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| A March 2014 press release published by Scoop identified Asylum Paintball as the host of the South Auckland Paintball Club Race Series.[2]
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| The club's activities complemented the national tournament calendar and provided opportunities for teams to compete without travelling outside Auckland.
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| === Tournament organisation and refereeing ===
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| Earley was involved in organising and officiating paintball competitions in New Zealand.
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| His activities included tournament administration, event promotion, refereeing and head-referee responsibilities.
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| He also supported competitive player development through club-level events and access to tournament facilities.
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| == New Zealand paintball industry ==
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| === Lock N Load Paintball ===
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| Earley worked with [[Lock N Load Paintball]], a commercial paintball facility near Auckland Airport.
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| Between December 2011 and August 2012, he worked as a marketing and operations consultant for Butterfly Creek and Lock N Load Paintball.
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| His responsibilities included marketing, operational development and supporting paintball activities at the facility.
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| The venue was listed in the WARPIG international paintball field directory in April 2012.[3]
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| === Asylum Paintball ===
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| Earley served as Marketing Director of [[Asylum Paintball]] in Auckland from November 2013 to December 2015.
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| Asylum operated at the former Kingseat Hospital complex near Auckland.
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| His responsibilities included marketing, communications, tournament promotion and supporting the development of competitive paintball at the venue.
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| Asylum hosted events associated with the [[New Zealand Paintball Players League]] (NZPPL) and the South Auckland Paintball Club Race Series.
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| In March 2014, a press release published by Scoop quoted Earley as Asylum Paintball's spokesperson concerning the release of video coverage of the 2013 NZPPL series final.[2]
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| The release also identified Asylum as the host venue for the South Auckland Paintball Club Race Series and two NZPPL events.
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| Earley's work at Asylum included promoting competitive paintball to audiences beyond the existing tournament community.
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| == Paintball career in the United States ==
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| === Giant Sportz ===
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| Earley worked for [[Giant Sportz]] in Southern California from July 2015 to March 2017.
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| His position was Design, Marketing and Events Manager.
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| The role included marketing, graphic design, event organisation and operational responsibilities within the company's paintball businesses.
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| Giant Sportz was associated with several major Southern California paintball facilities.
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| Earley's work included activities at [[SC Village]] in Chino and [[Hollywood Sports Park]] in Bellflower.
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| He worked directly with Bear and Giovanni "Gio" D'Egidio, members of the family associated with the Giant Sportz businesses.
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| His responsibilities included supporting commercial paintball operations, event promotion and senior refereeing.
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| === Giant San Diego ===
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| Earley also worked with [[Giant San Diego]], part of the Giant Sportz paintball operations in Southern California.
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| His involvement included marketing, field operations and events.
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| The position formed part of his wider professional involvement in the Giant Sportz group.
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| === SD Pump Crew ===
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| Earley founded [[SD Pump Crew]], a San Diego-based paintball team and playing group focused on pump paintball.
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| The group brought together players interested in pump paintball competition and recreational play.
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| Its formation reflected Earley's involvement in the Southern California paintball community beyond his commercial employment.
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| === SD Crush ===
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| Earley competed with [[SD Crush]] in events organised by the [[Almost Famous Paintball League]] (AFPL), a Southern California tournament paintball organisation.
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| His participation with SD Crush formed part of his competitive playing career in the United States, alongside his professional work in the paintball industry.
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| == Malta Paintball ==
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| === Development of the national organisation ===
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| Earley moved to Gozo, Malta, in 2024.
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| He subsequently became involved in the development of [[Malta Paintball]], a registered voluntary organisation established to formalise and develop competitive paintball in Malta.
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| Earley serves as a non-executive strategic adviser to the organisation.
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| His work has included organisational administration, communications, international federation relationships, sponsorship support and planning for the development of training infrastructure.
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| Malta Paintball is registered under voluntary organisation number VO/2678 and is affiliated with the [[European Paintball Federation]].
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| === International competition ===
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| Earley has supported Malta Paintball's participation in international tournament paintball.
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| The organisation entered the [[Central Paintball Premier Series]] in the United Kingdom in 2025 and continued competing during the 2026 season.
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| In 2026, Malta also entered the [[UPBF Nations Cup]] at the NXL European Championships in Dreux, France. | |
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| Earley's involvement has included coordination with international organisations, communications and support for players participating in overseas competitions.
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| === Player development ===
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| Earley has supported the development of regular competitive paintball participation in Malta.
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| His activities have included helping establish training arrangements, supporting the acquisition of tournament equipment, developing organisational systems and encouraging new players to enter the sport.
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| He has also contributed to plans for women's participation, referee development and the establishment of a dedicated tournament training field in Malta.
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| == Continuing competitive participation ==
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| Earley has continued playing competitive paintball while working in the industry and supporting sporting organisations.
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| His international playing experience has included tournaments in New Zealand, Malaysia, Thailand, Croatia, France, the United States and Italy.
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| In 2026, he was preparing to compete at the NXL World Cup in Florida, including the Masters Over-40 category with The Leftovers III and a three-player competition with former New Zealand teammates.
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| These appearances were planned as of October 2026 and are not included as completed results.
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| == Career summary ==
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| Earley's involvement in paintball has included competitive participation, tournament officiating, club formation, field operations and sporting administration.
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| His principal documented and reported contributions include:
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| * Organising New Zealand's participation through Team Kiwi at the 2004 Malaysian tournament
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| * Playing competitive paintball internationally from the 2000s onward
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| * Involvement in the New Zealand Paintball Association
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| * Founding the South Auckland Paintball Club
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| * Establishing and supporting the SAPC Race Series
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| * Working in marketing and operations at Lock N Load Paintball
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| * Serving as Marketing Director of Asylum Paintball
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| * Working as Design, Marketing and Events Manager for Giant Sportz
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| * Working with Giant San Diego, SC Village and Hollywood Sports Park
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| * Founding SD Pump Crew
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| * Competing with SD Crush in the Almost Famous Paintball League (AFPL)
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| * Supporting the development and international participation of Malta Paintball
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| == Timeline ==
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| {| class="wikitable"
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| ! Date
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| ! Activity
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| | Late 1990s
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| | Begins playing paintball and works at Commando One in New Zealand
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| |-
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| | 2000
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| | Begins competing in tournament paintball with Team Insane
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| |-
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| | 2001
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| | Participates in the Northland Open and Rotorua tournaments
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| |-
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| | 2004
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| | Organises and accompanies Team Kiwi to Malaysia; referees at the tournament
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| |-
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| | 2005
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| | Returns to Malaysia for the Asia Pacific Paintball Championship
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| | 2008
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| | Participates in the Malaysian Nations Cup
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| |-
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| | Early 2010s
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| | Involved in the New Zealand Paintball Association and regulatory matters
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| |-
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| | December 2011 – August 2012
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| | Marketing and Operations Consultant, Butterfly Creek / Lock N Load Paintball
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| | 2012
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| | Participates in European paintball competitions
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| |-
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| | 2012–2014
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| | Lives in Thailand and participates in the Bangkok paintball community
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| |-
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| | 2013–2014
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| | Establishes the South Auckland Paintball Club and develops its Race Series
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| |-
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| | November 2013 – December 2015
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| | Marketing Director, Asylum Paintball
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| | March 2014
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| | Identified as Asylum Paintball spokesperson in published NZPPL coverage
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| |-
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| | July 2015 – March 2017
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| | Design, Marketing and Events Manager, Giant Sportz
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| |-
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| | 2010s
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| | Works with Giant San Diego, SC Village and Hollywood Sports Park
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| |-
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| | 2010s
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| | Founds SD Pump Crew and competes with SD Crush in AFPL events
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| |-
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| | 2024
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| | Moves to Malta
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| |-
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| | 2025
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| | Supports Malta Paintball's participation in CPPS
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| |-
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| | 2026
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| | Supports Malta Paintball's international competition and development programmes
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| |}
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| == See also == | | == See also == |
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| * [[Paintball in New Zealand]]
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| * [[Paintball in Malaysia]]
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| * [[Paintball in Thailand]]
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| * [[Paintball in the United States]]
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| * [[Paintball in Malta]]
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| * [[Team Kiwi]] | | * [[Team Kiwi]] |
| * [[Team Insane]] | | * [[Phoenix Tahiti]] |
| * [[South Auckland Paintball Club]] | | * [[South Auckland Paintball Club]] |
| * [[New Zealand Paintball Association]]
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| * [[Lock N Load Paintball]]
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| * [[Asylum Paintball]]
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| * [[Giant Sportz]]
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| * [[Giant San Diego]]
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| * [[SD Pump Crew]] | | * [[SD Pump Crew]] |
| * [[SD Crush]]
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| * [[Almost Famous Paintball League]]
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| * [[Malta Paintball]] | | * [[Malta Paintball]] |
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| == References == | | == References == |
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| # [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. Identifies Michael Earley as Asylum Paintball spokesperson and confirms that Asylum hosted the South Auckland Paintball Club Race Series. | | # [https://www.oocities.org/mercstar_nz/VALHALLA/2001Hall.htm Mercenaries Star, Valhalla National Rankings, 2001.] Team Insane's three-man ranking. |
| # [https://www.warpig.com/forums/fields/index/pg_Other.shtml "International Paintball Field Directory"], WARPIG. Historical listing of Lock N Load Paintball, entered 19 April 2012. | | # [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.cylex.co.nz/company/asylum%20paintball-18135556.html "Asylum Paintball"], Cylex New Zealand. Historical business directory identifying Michael Earley as a marketing contact. | | # [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.newzealand.com/us/plan/business/asylum-paintball-new-zealand-premier-paintball-park-1/ "Asylum Paintball"], Tourism New Zealand. Historical business listing. | | # [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.maltapaintball.com/ "Malta Paintball"], official website. Organisation, programmes and international activities. | | # [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://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.] |
| | # 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 accreditation, 2012, identifying Michael Earley and D2. Michael Earley private collection; photograph supplied by Earley. |
| | # 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 card identifying Hoodlums and D2. Michael Earley private collection; photograph supplied by Earley. His surname is printed as “Early”. |
| | # 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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| == External links == | | == External links == |
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| * [https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1403/S00280/blacksheep-media-release-2013-nzppl-video.htm Michael Earley quoted in NZPPL coverage, 2014]
| | * [https://www.maltapaintball.org/ Malta Paintball official website] |
| * [https://www.maltapaintball.com/ Malta Paintball] | |
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| [[Category:Paintball people]]
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| [[Category:New Zealand paintball players]] | | [[Category:New Zealand paintball players]] |
| [[Category:New Zealand paintball people]] | | [[Category:New Zealand paintball people]] |
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Line 83: |
| [[Category:Paintball in the United States]] | | [[Category:Paintball in the United States]] |
| [[Category:Paintball in Malta]] | | [[Category:Paintball in Malta]] |
| ```
| |
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
- Mercenaries Star, Valhalla National Rankings, 2001. Team Insane's three-man ranking.
- WikiPaintball, Team Kiwi. Account of the 2004 and 2005 Malaysian delegations, drawing on Earley's January 2005 tournament report.
- WikiPaintball, Phoenix Tahiti. Sources include the 2012 La Dépêche de Tahiti report "Une honorable 17e place" and 2013 PALS tournament results.
- San Diego Pump Paintball Crew, historical community post identifying Michael Earley and SD Pump Crew.
- Cylex New Zealand, Asylum Paintball. Business listing identifying Earley as a marketing contact.
- Scoop, "Blacksheep Media Release 2013 NZPPL Video", 16 March 2014.
- Michael Earley, professional career profile. Roles at Giant Sportz and Asylum Paintball.
- Malta Paintball, "Malta's First Nations Cup: Building from Dreux", 9 October 2026.
- 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 accreditation, 2012, identifying Michael Earley and D2. Michael Earley private collection; photograph supplied by Earley.
- 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 card identifying Hoodlums and D2. Michael Earley private collection; photograph supplied by Earley. His surname is printed as “Early”.
- 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
