Team Dark Wind represents Native America

PHOENIX--Team Dark Wind is the only all-Native American seven-man tournament paintball team in the nation. The team consists of seven males and two female players with a strong competitive spirit representing several Native American tribes. Dark Wind's goal is to encourage the Native American athlete to broaden their sportsmanship by participating in more non-traditional sports. Additionally, Team Dark Wind wants to assist in positively promoting the sport of paintball to different cultures and regions that have not been exposed to this awesomely fast growing sport.

Team captain Tony "Tiny" Monroe is a full-blooded Navajo from Tolani Lake.

Paintball originated in the mid-eighties and has grown by leaps and bounds into the hearts of extreme sportsmen all over the world. There are more than 12,000,000 participants spending over $ 225 million annually on paintball equipment. The National Professional Paintball League (NPPL) is the lead organization in the paintball tournament circuit.

Every year, the NPPL has five three-day national tournaments in locations throughout the United States. Paintball teams and spectators from all over the world travel to compete and attend in these highly publicized events.

The object of the game is to capture the flag from the opposing team's start position. There are five divisions of experienced teams, starting from Division III (Rookie) to the Professional level. Each player is equipped with compressed air (N2) powered markers firing gelatin-filled paintballs at approximately 300 feet per second (FPS). All games are played under the safest conditions, with strict rules pertaining to face/body protection and equipment standards.

Until today, there has never been a group of Native American athletes to form a team and compete in local or national paintball tournaments. This is a great accomplishment on it its own.

Team Dark Wind will represent all Native Americans and their sponsors by participating in Division III of the 2006 NPPL Super Seven Series.

"With determination, hard work and great sponsors, Team Dark Wind will prevail at becoming a positive role model for Native Americans and paintballers everywhere," said Monroe.

To learn more about Dark Wind visit www.DarkWindpaintball.com.