When was your club started, by whom, and what is the mission?
Oceanway FC (Oway) was started as a pickup group back in June of 2014 by Nick Swanda and a group of his friends. In 2019, a competitive team formed and in January 2021 Oway entered the 4th division of US Soccer via the United Premier Soccer League. Oceanway is a semi-professional soccer club based out of Jacksonville, FL currently competing in the 4th division of US Soccer.

Our objective is to be the #1 pro club in Jacksonville in the next 4 years. Our staff and players are comprised of local talent that are striving for excellence and desire to create something that is more than just another sports team in the community. We are comprised of a group of men and women who strive for excellence and practice ingenuity and creativity.

Where is your club located? What league do you play in and who are your nearest rivals?
Our club is located in Jacksonville, Florida. We play in the United Premier Soccer League. As we are a newer club, we do not have a current rival.

Are you a part of a youth club or do you work with one as part of a development funnel?
We are not part of a youth club currently, but it is in our plans for as the club grows. The average age of our players currently is 19-20 as we work on developing them technically, tactically, and physically. Our technical director, Nawal Gurung, has spent over 10 years working for a Category One Academy in England, Fulham Football Club building pro soccer players from the ground up. From the performance side to technical ability and tactical knowledge, Oway FC will create some of the fittest/ most knowledgeable soccer players in Northeast Florida.

Some clubs sell merch, while others do not; do you sell scarves, shirts, hats or anything like that?
Our club is working on building out our merch store and adding hats, stickers, scarves, etc. We currently sell fanwear at oceanwayfc.com.

Do you volunteer in your community or donate to local causes?
I. Special Olympics of Northeast Florida & North Florida School of Special Education:
Oway helps run and coach a special needs soccer teams and puts on camps and clinics for the athletes during their soccer season. It is one of our favorite times of the year and we receive more joy than we could ever give.

II. All Nations Soccer League:
All Nations Soccer League (ANSL) was created to provide a ministry that is an affordable place for refugees to participate in a structured soccer league because there isn’t an accessible option available for them in Jacksonville due to financial and transportation constraints.

Oway started competing in the league and most of the players on the 1st team are refugees that have come from this league. Many also are in leadership and have part time jobs working for the league.

How did you finish last season and what are your club's goals for 2022?
We finished our last season with a crushing 2-1 defeat in the quarterfinals to Orlando City U23s. We lost on two questionable penalties and City only had one shot on goal from the run of play. Being a small away team going against a giant like that was a tense battle for 90 minutes. Our men were crushed… Earlier in the season, Oway lost 8-0 to city, this turned out to be a defining moment in our season going undefeated and not allowing a single goal from the run of play. Training just two days a week, this team overachieved given the time, talent, and resources.

Looking forward to 2022… Oway has its sights set on growing its sponsorship revenue and growing business operations. Our goal is to average 125-150 fans per home game and continue adding to our game day experience. Our team goals are to not get through another without a red card, create a player lead and regulated environment, accountability culture, be the hardest working team, and finish top 3 in the table.

Check out Oway FC on their Facebook HERE
Follow them on twitter HERE
Shop and get club information from their website HERE