Welcome to the Kings Hammer September Newsletter! This edition features Supplemental Tryouts, Michael Fry Named Sycamore Program Director, ECNL G09 Players Invited to USYNT ID Center, Sam Lang Called Up to US Soccer ENT, Cincy Challenge, GK Union Saves of the Month, Fan Wear, and more! If you have a player, coach, or team to be highlighted in future newsletters, please send photos and stories to info@kingshammer.com. Each newsletter will be posted on our website as well as our social pages.

Are you or someone you know still looking for a team?

Kings Hammer will be holding Supplemental Tryouts this Sunday, October 1st for the U15-U19 Premier Wilder & Premier Union Programs.

• Premier Wilder Boys & Girls U15(2009)-U19(2005): October 1st | 5:30-7pm | Town & Country (Grass)
• Premier Union Boys & Girls U15(2009)-U19(2005): October 1st | 4-5:30pm | Central Park

Click here to register now!

Questions? Contact David Shemilt at dshemilt@kingshammer.com

Kings Hammer Announces Michael Fry the Sycamore Program Director

Kings Hammer Soccer Club is excited to announce Michael Fry as the Kings Hammer Sycamore Program Director. Michael currently coaches within the Academy Cincinnati South Program and has been coaching in the club since 2021. In his first year, he reached the State Tournament Championship with the Academy 2010 team and the State Semi-Final in 2022 with his Academy 2011’s. Michael also serves as the Indian Hill High School JV Head Coach and the Varsity assistant and has been in the position since 2018. He was named the 2021 Southwest District Assistant Coach of the Year after helping lead the team to the district championship. In addition to coaching, Michael is a Personal Trainer at FX Athletic Performance where he trains individuals and groups ages 6 through college. “I’m humbled to have the opportunity to lead and grow the Kings Hammer Sycamore Program. Having lived, worked, and coached in the Sycamore area for the last six years, I am invested in this community, and I look forward to working alongside our amazing Sycamore coaching staff to provide the Kings Hammer experience to our players and families. Since my childhood playing days, through my time in the college ranks, and now as a coach and director, soccer has been a lifelong passion; to join the leadership of a club that shares that passion is truly an honor, and I cannot wait to get to work as we continue to make Kings Hammer Sycamore the best youth soccer environment in the area,” Michael Fry, Kings Hammer Sycamore Program Director. “I am delighted to introduce Michael Fry as the new Kings Hammer Sycamore Program Director. Michael’s impressive background, including his collegiate-level experience as a soccer player with the University of South Carolina, as well as his coaching roles within our own Kings Hammer Academy Program and as a high school coach at Indian Hill, has equipped him with a wealth of knowledge and expertise that he will undoubtable pass on to the Kings Hammer Sycamore Program’s coaches and players,” Paul Nicholson, Kings Hammer Midwest Executive Director.

Two Kings Hammer ECNL G09 Players Invited to USYNT Regional ID Center

Congratulations to KH ECNL G09 players Louise Guidugli and Nina Brandon for being invited to and attending the USYNT Regional ID Center on Thursday, September 21st in Nashville, TN. We’re proud of both of you for all your hard work!

Sam Lang, KH RL B07, Called Up to US Soccer ENT

Congratulations to Kings Hammer GK, Sam Lang, on receiving a call-up to the U.S. Soccer ENT. We’re proud of you, Sam!

KH Midwest Executive Director Participates in FC Cincinnati Sword Pull Ritual

Kings Hammer Midwest Executive Director, Paul Nicholson, was honored during FC Cincinnati’s pre-game ceremony on Saturday, participating in the sword pull ritual. Paul was a founding player for FCC, playing for the club during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Way to go, Paul!

Cincy Challenge

The 2023 Cincy Challenge took place the weekend of September 22nd-24th at the Voice of America Park & Warren County Sports Park. Over the weekend we hosted 233 teams from over 40 clubs across the region and nearly 400 games over the two day event! We were treated to some great weather, great games, and very competitive championship matches. Thank you to all the participating clubs, teams, families, referees, volunteers, facility staff, and our event staff who made this event such a huge success.

If you weren’t able to purchase event merchandise on site during the event, it’s not too late to purchase. You can visit our online store and have your event merchandise shipped to you. Click here to order online now!

We would also like to send a special thank you to our event partners:

OrthoCincy
Trophy Awards- Official Awards Supplier of Kings Hammer Events
PYB Sports- Official Event Housing Partner
Nike Soccer- Official Brand Partner

Click here for a full recap of scores!

Our next event will be our Blue Chip Juniors which kicks off October 6th at both Voice of America Park and Warren Co Sports Park.  Event Merchandise is available for online purchase now! Skip the line: Click here to order online now.

Gateway Showcase ID Camp

The Gateway Showcase ID Camp is an opportunity for players U15(2009) through U19(2005) participating in the Gateway Showcase to train and play with College coaches prior to the tournament. A limited number of players will be selected for the ID Camp and it will be held the Thursday before the tournament. These players will be divided into teams and each given coaches to coach their team in a training session and 60 minute game.

Click here for more information and to register now!

September Education: Helping our Players Regain or Build Their Confidence

Confidence is defined as a feeling of self-assurance arising from one’s appreciation of one’s own abilities or qualities. In the sports context, an athlete believing in their abilities is key in competition. Confidence enables them to take risks, overcome challenges, and bounce back from setbacks. No matter the amount of time spent practicing or training, if an athlete lacks confidence, their ability to perform when it matters will be limited. When youth athletes are confident, they perform at their best and enjoy their sport more.

When an athlete lacks confidence it impacts the ability of the athlete to show growth, find enjoyment, and have success in practices and games. Signs of low confidence can include poor body language, hesitancy in their movements, decreased enthusiasm or motivation, and frequent errors or mistakes. Low confidence can come from a variety of causes, fear of failure, anxiety, burnout, or even body changes from puberty.

It can be tough for parents and coaches to watch an athlete, your athlete, your child, struggle with confidence. Unfortunately for parents and coaches, we cannot force confidence onto, or into our child or player.  But in researching the topic I have come across some tips that we can take to encourage them to find their confidence within themselves.

COMMUNICATE

When young athletes encounter fear and self-doubt, parents and coaches can be great resources. Talking openly and letting them know it’s okay to talk about their feelings is one of the first things you can do to help a struggling athlete.  The more comfortable kids are confiding in parents and coaches, the sooner they will talk about their fears and doubts.

HELP PLAYERS AVOID MAKING COMPARISONS- FOCUS ON SELF NOT OTHERS

For many athletes’ low self-confidence comes from athletes giving too much energy to other competitors or teammates by making comparisons, creating a feeling like they do not belong at the current level of play. Constant comparisons of strengths and characteristics by a player can lead to doubt about ability, performance, and contributions.

Help your athletes avoid putting other athletes on a pedestal, as if they are better than your athletes or superior. Encourage them to stop making comparisons to athletes who they think are better than them or contributing more. Try to have them focus on their own strengths and characteristics instead of thinking about how they stack up compared to other teammates or competitors.

Click here to view the full article.

GK Union Save of the Month

Congratulations to Riley J from KHE1 G12 & Logan W from KHE1 B13 for being named the August GK Union Saves of the Month!

Did you make an incredible save or a game-saving block? We want to see them!

Post your best saves in the Kings Hammer GK Union Facebook group or share on Twitter using the hashtag #KingsHammer. Be sure to share throughout the spring season and YOU could be selected for our Kings Hammer Save of the Month! GK Save of the Month winners will be announced the Friday of the first full week of the following month.

Monthly winners will be posted on the Kings Hammer social pages and on the GK Union page. https://www.youtube.com/embed/G89sBE46xL4?si=nDDlO_fQjmL0SxsJ

Uniform & Equipment Donation Program

Thank you to everyone that donated soccer uniforms and equipment this past month. We will be sending all collected used soccer uniforms and equipment to children in need at the Canary Islands!

KH Alum Signs with Louisville City FC

Congratulations to former Kings Hammer player, Chandler Gaunce, on signing his first professional contract! We’re so excited to follow your accomplishments!

Kings Hammer Soccer Club Core Values

Beginning in October we will be highlighting one club core value each month. Stay tuned for the first video coming October 2nd on our social channels.

Content Feedback Survey

We want to hear from you! Please take a minute to complete a quick Content Feedback Survey with 9 questions. Your answers will help as we start creating content for the 2023/2024 Season!

Click here to take the survey now

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