The Bayside Thunder team has its roots in the Gulf Breeze, Florida rec soccer program as U9 players, the majority of whom are still teammates. This continuity as well as additions of talent over the years has made this a cohesive team which is reflected in their success on the pitch. Team members have as much as 14 years individual playing experience and have enhanced that with additional skills training with experienced coaches, local and college camps, 3x3 competitions and participation in other sports. They currently rank in the top five in the GotSoccer ranking for the state of Florida. 
The Thunder debuted as a select soccer team with Bayside Soccer Club and was coached for four years by Nic Cardoso who taught a Brazilian style of play which the team uses today. Coach Nic sponsored training tours to his native Brazil two summers to reinforce his Brazilian coaching style. Under the direction of Coach Fraga DaRosa the U15 team sought stronger southeast region competition including the 2006 President’s Cup in which they were the finalist. With Coach Fraga they won or placed in all but one tournament and achieved a sweet sixteen berth in the 2007 Florida State Cup.
The U17 team made their 2008 season tournament debut Labor Day weekend with a semi finalist position in the premier division of the Atlanta Cup under new coach Ken MacDonald. The Thunder won their bracket, securing a place in the final four on the first day by beating the defending Georgia state champions and following that with a win over another state cup final four team. In September Thunder competed in the Orlando Puma Cup Shootout, playing three regional teams in the premier division to close games, but Thunder did not place. The fall season concluded with the Pensacola Blue Angel Classic in October where they swept their bracket, including a Louisiana state final four team and defeating PFC in the championship game. The Thunder has now won three of the last four PFC tournaments in their age group.
The Thunder’s success is matched by Coach McDonald’s other team, the US Deaf Soccer Team, that recently finished in the final four of the World Cup Deaf Games in Greece. The 2008/09 Thunder is composed of Jack Begley, Kenneth Collins, Diego Figueroa, Max Gerke, Danny Gibble, Nick Green, Mitch Hagood, Hunter Hillis, Erik Mayfield, Doug Overlade, Ryan Schuler, Jack Shows, Josh Suelflow, Blake Trotter, Steven Vernali, Tyler Willets, Chance Winn, and Zach Woodson. The team is currently on hiatus for the high school soccer season (representing three high schools) and will resume play in February 2009.
The Thunder debuted as a select soccer team with Bayside Soccer Club and was coached for four years by Nic Cardoso who taught a Brazilian style of play which the team uses today. Coach Nic sponsored training tours to his native Brazil two summers to reinforce his Brazilian coaching style. Under the direction of Coach Fraga DaRosa the U15 team sought stronger southeast region competition including the 2006 President’s Cup in which they were the finalist. With Coach Fraga they won or placed in all but one tournament and achieved a sweet sixteen berth in the 2007 Florida State Cup.
The U17 team made their 2008 season tournament debut Labor Day weekend with a semi finalist position in the premier division of the Atlanta Cup under new coach Ken MacDonald. The Thunder won their bracket, securing a place in the final four on the first day by beating the defending Georgia state champions and following that with a win over another state cup final four team. In September Thunder competed in the Orlando Puma Cup Shootout, playing three regional teams in the premier division to close games, but Thunder did not place. The fall season concluded with the Pensacola Blue Angel Classic in October where they swept their bracket, including a Louisiana state final four team and defeating PFC in the championship game. The Thunder has now won three of the last four PFC tournaments in their age group.
The Thunder’s success is matched by Coach McDonald’s other team, the US Deaf Soccer Team, that recently finished in the final four of the World Cup Deaf Games in Greece. The 2008/09 Thunder is composed of Jack Begley, Kenneth Collins, Diego Figueroa, Max Gerke, Danny Gibble, Nick Green, Mitch Hagood, Hunter Hillis, Erik Mayfield, Doug Overlade, Ryan Schuler, Jack Shows, Josh Suelflow, Blake Trotter, Steven Vernali, Tyler Willets, Chance Winn, and Zach Woodson. The team is currently on hiatus for the high school soccer season (representing three high schools) and will resume play in February 2009.
