It was back in 2014 when the club was not only battling for numbers, but struggling to put together results at both the regional and state level.

But, with the help of secretary Joel Begnell and some sensational up-and-coming talent, the Thunder has gone from struggling to surging, in a big way too.

That rise to the top has allowed seven players to showcase their skills at the next level, with Emily Irwin, Caitlin Prestwidge, Josie Clarke, Jack Cole, Hailey Prestwidge, Ava Cole and Mya Simmons all selected for higher honours.

The Prestwidge duo, as well as Clarke and Jack Cole are all set to travel to the Gold Coast in August as part of the Australian training squad, while Emily Irwin (NSW CHS), Mya Simmons (NSW CCC) and Ava Cole (NSW CHS 15s) will look compete at their respective high school tournaments.

The different categories and competitions can be a bit confusing, but something you should be clear on is this: if you play touch football at Orange, you're in a great position to succeed, so says this group of Thunder buddies.

"We've come such a long way from what we used to be," Caitlin Prestwidge said.

"We used to get smashed. We wouldn't make finals and now we're making heaps of finals and you're hard on yourself if you don't make the semis," Josie Clarke added.

And when the group of seven was asked to give a reason behind the drastic improvements at the club, the answer was short and sharp - "Joel Begnell".

He used to be the club's representative coordinator and during his tenure, Begnell not only made an effort to offer the players more pathways to higher levels, but put a strong emphasis on the quality of coaching at the club.

"He's put a lot of time and effort into the club and he's got other coaches out here to help us and develop us as players," Caitlin Prestwidge said.

Begnell has certainly helped put these players in a position to succeed, but now it's up to the players to push themselves further.

While the high school girls are already guaranteed a spot on their sides, the prospective Aussie reps still have to train their way to a starting role.

Caitlin Prestwidge's goal? "Don't die in the fitness ... my fitness could use some work," she smiled.

"I don't want to say I will or I won't make it, but I hope I do," Jack Cole said.

"It does feel weird training at the Gold Coast ... usually we train across the road," he added.

As she's the youngest in the group, Ava Cole will head off to the under-15 CHS tournament and she's moulded her game off almost all of her elder club mates ... except her brother.

"Not really Jack," she laughed.

"But, I don't know how I'm feeling ... I wasn't really expecting to make it into CHS but I made it."

The Australian quartet is set to travel to Queensland for camp on the second weekend of August.

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