Pride. Tradition. Excellence.

Preparing our athletes for the next level on the court and in life!

Our Story.

Thunder Selects is a private basketball program which was founded in Halifax in 1999, and has continued to provide girls 21 years of age and younger with a competitive, fun and memorable experience.
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Our coaching staff is committed to providing a fun, positive and challenging learning environment while increasing their athletes’ basketball IQ, fitness level, individual/team skills and confidence so that they can take their game to the next developmental stage of their basketball career.
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We highlight the importance of fundamentals at all levels and we pride ourselves on teaching life lessons through basketball.

Thunder Selects is a very disciplined instructional program designed for athletes with serious goals who are striving for advanced performance.

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​#poweredbygenerosity

New support campaign launched in 2022.
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What We Offer.

PERFORMANCE – ELITE Summer Team Program
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SKILLS TRAINING – The ACADEMY, The NEXT Program, Hoop School

EVENTS – East Coast Invitational

LEAGUES - Halifax Thunder Fall League

HALIFAX THUNDER – (2023 & 2024 MWBA Legacy Cup Champions)

Tradition.

Our alumni have gone on to represent 23 Canadian Universities, including all 8 AUS schools, as well as 7 ACAA Colleges.
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Our Team.

Founder & Director
Brandon Rafuse
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Special Assistants, THUNDER ELITE
Hannah Cahill, Karen Bolivar

ELITE Head Coaches
Emily Lerette, Hannah Cahill, Hilary Shea

ELITE Assistant Coaches
Maddie Greatorex, Torrie Janes

ELITE Student Assistant Coaches
TBA
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ACADEMY Lead Coaches
Alex Petropolis, Chloe Oxner, Emily Lerette, Karen Bolivar, Parker Regan, Sean Hanlon

Outdoor Training, 2020.

University of North Carolina, 2012.

Jon Kreiner

​Head Women’s Basketball Coach

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Lakehead University

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“Thunder is the standard for basketball program excellence in Canada. If your goal is to reach the next level on the court and in life, Thunder is the program that will exceed all expectations.”

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Len Harvey

Head Women’s Basketball Coach

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Acadia University

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​“Brandon and Thunder have been a staple of the Nova Scotia basketball community for more than 2 decades. In that time, Brandon’s program has helped to develop countless university and college athletes, however it is his focus on providing a positive, nurturing environment for kids to play basketball that has been most impressive. The loyalty of Thunder basketball players to the program after they have grown older and moved on tells you all you need to know about the experience Brandon and his coaches provide for these young women.”

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Shelby Weaver

Director, Basketball Advancement

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Toronto Raptors

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“Thunder is a place where we pushed our minds and bodies to new limits. A place that reminded you why you loved basketball in the first place and gave you the confidence to pursue playing at the next level. For me, Thunder was a safe haven. Every year, Thunder summers gave me the reset and confidence I needed to keep pushing mentally. Looking back now, I know the Thunder program, my teammates and my coaches are one of the main reasons I am who I am today.”

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Holly Philpott

PhD student

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The University of Western Ontario

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“Being involved in Thunder for many years, first as a player and then as a coach has really shown me that not only is it a family, but it is also a community, as well as a culture of excellence. As a young woman, this program provided me the space to grow my self-confidence, while also teaching me to remain humble and have respect for myself, my teammates and my opponent. I believe it is such a powerful and valuable space to provide young women during their teenage years and has certainly shaped the person I am today. It has been a true privilege to be involved in Thunder and I hope that future players recognize the incredible opportunity in front of them.”

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