| Naea Bennett | |
| Office7: | Minister of Youth, Crime Prevention and Sports |
| President7: | Édouard Fritch |
| Term Start7: | 21 February 2022 |
| Term End7: | 15 May 2023 |
| Predecessor7: | Heremoana Maamaatuaiahutapu |
| Successor7: | Nahema Temarii |
| Birth Date: | 8 July 1977 |
| Birth Place: | Tahiti |
| Party: | Tapura Huiraatira |
| Position: | Striker |
| Years1: | 1995–2001 |
| Clubs1: | AS Vénus |
| Caps1: | ? |
| Goals1: | ? |
| Years2: | 2001–2014 |
| Clubs2: | AS Pirae |
| Caps2: | ? |
| Goals2: | 91 |
| Pcupdate: | 21 October 2024 |
| Nationalyears1: | 1996–2010 |
| Nationalteam1: | Tahiti |
| Nationalcaps1: | 17 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 12 |
| Manageryears1: | 2018 |
| Managerclubs1: | Tahiti |
| Manageryears2: | 2018–2022 |
| Managerclubs2: | AS Pirae |
| Ntupdate: | 21 October 2024 |
Naea Tommy Irving Bennett[1] (born 8 July 1977) is a French Polynesian former footballer, politician, and former Cabinet Minister. He last played as a striker for AS Pirae and also represented the Tahiti national beach soccer team. He is son of Erroll Bennett, a former Tahitian footballer who was runner-up at 1973 and 1980 OFC Nations Cup.[2]
In 2002, Naea Bennett took part in 4 qualifying matches for the World Cup with the Tahiti team. While playing for AS Pirae, Bennett joined the Tahiti beach soccer team, and competed in both the 2011 and 2015 World Cups. In all he took part in 8 matches for as many wins as losses and 5 goals scored. In October 2013 he was appointed a knight of the Order of Tahiti Nui.[3] [4]
Bennett is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and refuses to play football on Sundays.[5] In 2015, he refused to play in the 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup final due to his religious beliefs.[6]
In 2018 he was appointed interim head coach of the Tahiti national football team.[7] [8]
In February 2022 he was appointed to the cabinet of Édouard Fritch as Minister of Youth, Crime Prevention and Sports.[9] [10]
| Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 June 2001 | 2-0 | 6–1 | 2002 FIFA World Cup Qualification | ||
| 2 | 3-0 | |||||
| 3 | 5-1 | |||||
| 4 | 11 June 2001 | 4-0 | 6–0 | |||
| 5 | 30 June 2003 | 8-0 | 17–0 | 2003 South Pacific Games | ||
| 6 | 11-0 | |||||
| 7 | 14-0 | |||||
| 8 | 17-0 | |||||
| 9 | 3 July 2003 | 1-0 | 3–0 | |||
| 10 | 3-0 | |||||
| 11 | 7 July 2003 | 3-0 | 4–0 | |||
| 12 | 4-0 | |||||
Tahiti
runner-up 1996;[11] 3rd 2002[12]