October Newsletter 2025

Welcome to the Kings Hammer Aris October Newsletter! This edition features Upcoming KHA Events, Competition Highlights, Strikers Bash, Building Championship Culture, Coach Spotlight – Zach Ballard, and more! If you have a player, coach, or team to be highlighted in future newsletters, please send photos and stories to lgill@kingshammer.com. Each newsletter will be posted on our website as well as our social pages.

Upcoming KHA Fall Events

November 7th-9th – Stones River Invitational – Rotary Soccer Park
November – Coats & Cleats Drive – Info coming soon!

Competition Highlights

The fall season is flying by, and our Aris players have been hard at work—competing, improving, and representing the club with pride. From league games to regional tournaments, every team has shown growth and grit. Check out a few highlights from the past month:

STRIKERS CUP TOURNAMENT

Champions: KH Aris 2013-1 Boys (Coach Mwesi)
Finalists: KH Aris 2012-2 Boys (Coach Elijah)
Finalists: KH Aris 2012-1 Boys (Coach John)
Finalists: KH Aris 2017-2 Boys (Coach Franco)
Finalists: KH Aris 2017-1 Girls (Coach Dav)

FALLS CITY FESTi-VILLE

Champions: KH Aris Pre-Elite G14 (Coach Zach)
Champions: KH Aris Pre-Elite G15 (Coach Cristina)
Finalists: KH Aris Pre-Elite B16 (Coach Adrian)

SKY KICK-OR-TREAT TOURNAMENT

Champions: KHJR Aris 2018-1 Boys
Champions: KHJR Aris 2017-1 Girls

We’re proud of all our players and coaches this fall—keep working hard!

Strikers Bash: U7 Mini Tournament Event

Our youngest competitive players had an exciting day at our first Strikers Bash Mini Tournament! The U7 teams played a series of fun intra-club games, soaked up the tournament atmosphere, and celebrated with popsicles afterward. It was a great way to introduce them to the energy of competition while keeping the focus on fun and development. We’re already looking forward to hosting another event this spring to see just how much these young players have grown!

Featured Education: “Building Championship Culture” by Nick Holt

At Kings Hammer, we know that the strength of a team lies in its culture. The best teams aren’t just a collection of talented individuals; they’re connected by shared values, trust, and a commitment to something bigger than themselves.

In 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to coach in my second national championship match with the NC Courage USL W team. This group was special, resilient, focused, and determined to finish the job after a heartbreaking overtime loss the previous year. We came back stronger, went undefeated, and won the championship.

What made the difference? Team culture.

What is Team Culture?

Team culture is the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and daily habits that define who we are and how we operate. It’s built in the way players show up, push each other, and hold themselves accountable. For our team, that meant traveling without hesitation, paying attention to every detail, and showing mutual respect on and off the field. That unity became our competitive edge and ultimately led to our championship moment.

Building Championship Culture at Kings Hammer

At Kings Hammer, we have core values that serve as the foundation for every team. They’re not just words on paper; they’re standards that shape how we train, compete, and treat one another.

Respect
Respect your coaches by listening with intent and staying open to growth. Respect your teammates by showing up prepared and representing the club at a high level, on and off the field. Respect your parents; they’re your biggest supporters. Respect the game; compete with effort, pride, and gratitude, even on the hard days.

Passion
Love the game. Bring energy that lifts others and fuels your own performance. Stay engaged, encourage your teammates, and enjoy the process.

Integrity
Do the right thing, even when no one is watching. Take care of the little details; they’re what separate good from great.

Why Not You? Why Not Your Team?
Every successful team I’ve been part of, whether as a player or coach, has shared one key ingredient: an intentional, unified environment built on “we over me.” Starting today, think about how you can impact your team’s culture. Are you fully committed, or holding back when things get tough? Are you consistent in your habits when no one is watching?

Now is the time to reflect and take action. Gather with your teammates. Decide what you value and how you’ll live it every day.

Go be great.

– Nick Holt, KH Middle Tennessee Elite Girls Director

Coats N’ Cleats Drive

This season, KH Aris is excited to launch our Coats n’ Cleats Drive to support underserved communities across our region. We’ll be collecting gently used coats, cleats, and soccer gear to help families in need stay warm and stay in the game.

We’ll be announcing collection sites and drop-off times soon, but in the meantime, we encourage you to start setting aside items your family has outgrown. Every coat, every pair of cleats, and every piece of gear can make a big difference!

Stay tuned—more details including drop-off locations and dates coming soon!

Coach Spotlight – Zach Ballard

Coach Spotlight: Zachary Ballard – From London to Nashville

Born in London, England, Coach Zachary Ballard moved to the U.S. at age two and grew up in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area, where soccer quickly became his passion. He played for several youth clubs including Virginia Soccer Association, Sterling F.C. Elite, and Loudoun Soccer Club before competing at Christopher Newport University, where he started all four years and appeared in two NCAA tournaments.

Five years ago, Zachary moved to Nashville to pursue coaching full-time and has since worked with more than 5,000 players. What began as a career has become a calling—helping young athletes develop confidence, discipline, and love for the game.

“Every day, I’m grateful for the path that soccer has given me, and I’m committed to making a positive impact on the next generation of players.”

What do you hope every player takes away from a season with you?
That they leave with a stronger belief in themselves—not just as soccer players, but as individuals. I want them to recognize their potential, build confidence, and understand that growth comes from consistent effort and mindset, not just talent.
Your coaching philosophy in one sentence:
To nurture every player with belief, challenge them to bring intensity and discipline to every moment, and coach the individual in front of me.
What has soccer taught you?
That success comes from showing up every day with focus and discipline, and learning to push through setbacks. Consistency—in effort and mindset—is what drives growth.
Favorite soccer quotes:
Bill Shankly: “Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it’s much more serious than that.”
Johan Cruyff: “Playing football is very simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is.”
Advice for parents of young athletes:
Let your child enjoy the game and fall in love with it on their own terms. Joy and passion fuel growth. Offer support and patience—your encouragement matters more than perfection.

Thank you, Coach Zachary, for your dedication and the positive impact you make on our players every day!

Take Our Parent Insight Survey Today!

We want to hear from our parents! Please take a minute to complete a quick Parent Insight Survey below. Your answers will help us better understand how our club can better meet the needs of you and your family.

Click here to take the survey now!

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – ALLTROO!

Thank you Alltroo for being a supporter of youth athletics and Kings Hammer Aris!

Click here to visit their website!

Alltroo is a trusted professional fundraiser founded by NFL Pro Bowler Kyle Rudolph and NHL All-Star Jason Zucker. Alltroo helps charities supercharge their fundraising efforts through custom giveaways called Rallies. Each Rally pairs fans with some of the biggest names in sports, music, and entertainment—offering once-in-a-lifetime prizes while supporting meaningful causes. Fans can choose to donate to a charity for entries or enter for free, giving everyone a chance to win while making an impact.

GK Union Save 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. Be sure to share throughout the 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.