This California Thunder 16u team is designed to compete, develop and showcase our talents as the players thrive to excel to a higher level of play. The program will operate under the advice of the Gold team's coaching in an effort to prepare the athletes for their future endeavors.

We focus on development in an effort to have our teams participate in the top level showcases to offer exposure and continued improvement of our athletes!!! Because development, preparation and showcasing is really what is important to us! Our mission is to prepare athletes to excel to the highest level and succeed in collegiate athletics.

Athletes from this team will have the opportunity to move through the ranks and hopefully become a part of our Gold program.

Some of our teams will train together so they have the opportunity to train under the same California Thunder program  philosophy.

Preparation and exposure as well as academics is what we believe can take you to the next level. Players will be given the tools and guidance necessary to make an impact in college. All of our athletes compete, train, prepare physically and academically for the requirements necessary in a Division I softball program. 

The CALIFORNIA THUNDER organization returned to the San Gabriel Valley in the Fall of 2001 by Organization  Manager and Coach Valerie Van Kirk, former Cal State Fullerton NCAA National Champion, who grew up and played in the area. She also played on a local CIF Championship team and 3 ASA National Championship teams.  Valerie has experienced 5 different national titles an a Div II CIF HS Championship.

Our focus includes all Major SHOWCASE TOURNAMENTS to provide the players with the MAXIMUM EXPOSURE to display their talents. Seventy-five plus (75+) players from Valerie's team alone have moved on to play and start on collegiate teams throughout the country on both academic and athletic scholarships at all levels Div I, II, III, NAIA and on JC scholarships. The majority of which have started at Division I programs (Please see our "Alumni" pages for the link to the list of schools prior players have attended.)
 

Thank you for your interest in the CALIFORNIA THUNDER Organization and we appreciate the support from all those who are assisting these athletes pursue their dreams toward collegiate athletics and academic success.