Naea Bennet becomes Tahiti’s eleven-a-side National coach

The Tiki Toa captain takes the reins of the national squad after Ludovic Graugnard

Naea Bennet, Tahitian Beach Soccer hero, has been appointed as Head Coach of the eleven-a-side Tahitian National Side, becoming one more instance of top athletes that jump from beach soccer to professional football. 

Well, actually, Bennet’s has been a round trip, as he has was a football star  in the Polynesia before jumping to the sand and writing the most brilliant pages of the Tahitian Football History with the Tiki Toa.  

Bennett knows a thing or two about representing his country with pride. He’s been a stalwart of the Tiki Toa as they’ve risen up the ranks to finish second at the past two editions of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

Prior to that, he also had a fairly successful career as a footballer too.

“Remember that before I was introduced to beach soccer in 2010 I played my entire career in football.

“Before I was in beach soccer, I was captain of the national football team. I’m not a stranger to this family. I’m back as interim coach to share my desires, my experience and it’s another challenge I’m ready to take on.”