Welcome to the Kings Hammer February Newsletter! This edition features Tryouts Save the Dates, Spring Little Lions, COE Spring Training Program, Kentucky Youth Soccer Learning University, Spring Events, Kings Hammer FC Schedules Released, 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.

2023/2024 Tryouts Save the Dates

Tryouts for the 2023/2024 Season can begin May 15th and will end by June 2nd. Official dates will be announced closer to the start of tryouts. Families looking to book summer vacations can begin booking on Saturday, June 3rd to avoid conflicts.

If the official tryout schedule is released and you run into conflicts please communicate with your Program Director so they are aware.

Spring Little Lions

Registration is open for the 2023 Spring Little Lions! The program will be offered for boys and girls U4(2019)-U8(2015) at seven locations. Our Little Lions Program is a player-centered program that focuses on technical fundamentals, age-appropriate fitness, and fun! Each week players will participate in 1 training session, led by Kings Hammer staff, that focuses on technical skill development and small-sided games.

Click the links below for more information and to register:

• Xenia: April 6th-May 11th | Thursdays 5:30-6:30pm (U4-U8) | Eakle Soccer Complex
• North: April 6th-May 11th | Thursdays 5-6pm (U4-U8) | YMCA Countryside
• Sycamore: March 31st-May 5th | Fridays 5:15-6pm (U4) & 5:15-6:15pm (U5-U8) | Weller Park
• Central : March 31st-May 5th | Fridays 5:30-6:15pm (U4) & 5:30-6:30pm (U5-U8) | Town & Country
• South: April 5th-May 10th | Wednesdays 5:15-6:15pm (U4-U8) | Central Park
• Lexington: March 24th-May 5th | Fridays 6-7pm (U4-U8) | Southland Christian Church
• Versailles: March 23rd-May 4th | Thursdays 5:30-6:30pm (U4-U8) | WYSA Soccer Complex

Questions? Contact the Kings Hammer Grassroots Director Michelle Okumura at michelle@kingshammer.com.

COE Spring Training Program

Registration is now open for the Center of Excellence (COE) Spring Training Program for U8-U12 players that are not currently on a Kings Hammer roster for the Spring 2023 Season. Players that are currently rostered on a Kings Hammer team for the Spring season do not need to register. The COE Spring Training Program is included in your team fees. Spring COE dates will be added to your PlayMetrics calendar. The COE Spring Training Program is a 6-week program that will take place at 2 convenient locations: Voice of America in West Chester Township, OH and at Town & Country in Wilder, KY. The program will focus on individual player development (technically and tactically) in the four phases of the game: attacking, transition to attack, defending and transition to defending. The program will be available to all U8- U12 players. Please see below for more details on the COE Spring training program. South COE (Town & Country Turf: 1018 Town Dr. Wilder, KY 41076)

• Dates: 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/31, 4/7, 4/14
• Location: T&C Outdoor Turf Field #2
• Times:
  • U8/U9: 5:30-6:30pm
  • U10: 6:30-7:30pm
  • U11/U12: 7:30-8:30pm

North COE (Voice of America: 7850 VOA Park Dr. West Chester, OH 45069)

• Dates: 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/31, 4/7, 4/14
• Location: Voice of America Park Turf Fields
• Times:
  • U8/U9/U10: 5:30-6:30pm
  • U11/U12: 6:30-7:30pm

Kentucky Youth Soccer Learning University

Always growing to deliver the best experience possible.  Over 25 of our Kings Hammer coaches participated in the Kentucky Youth Soccer Learning University, on February 4th in Lexington KY, where they worked alongside the best in their field sharing knowledge and experiences. Great job, all!

Spring Events Kickoff March 10th

We are excited to kick off our 2023 Spring Events Series & look forward to seeing all of our families out at the fields!

Boys Turf Classic– March 10th-12th, 2023 (Cincinnati, OH) Nike Elite Spring Thaw– March 17th-19th, 2023 (Cincinnati, OH) Girls Turf Classic– March 24th-26th, 2023 (Cincinnati, OH) Triple Crown Cup– April 14th-16th, 2023 (Lexington, KY) Women’s Nike Blue Chip Showcase– April 21st-23rd, 2023 (Cincinnati, OH) Men’s Nike Blue Chip Showcase– April 28th-30th, 2023 (Cincinnati, OH) Crown Challenge– May 12th-14th, 2023 (Cincinnati, OH)

February Education: Celebrating Gratitude

Earlier this month Kings Hammer SC participated in Gratitude Week in conjunction with our partners, Soccer Parenting.  Throughout the week of Feb 13th-17th, Soccer Parenting provided opportunities and suggestions for showing gratitude to the people around us who help to make our sport thrive-Parents, Coaches, Referees, Players, Team Admin, and Club Leaders.  In addition, Soccer Parenting posted an article on How Can Gratitude Improve Performance.  The following benefits were listed as a part of this article: 5 Benefits of Demonstrating Gratitude

• GRATITUDE helps you sleep better
• GRATITUDE helps your self-esteem
• GRATITUDE helps open your mind
• GRATITUDE improves your relationships
• GRATITUDE enhances your mental and physical health

Dan Abrahams Webinar – Supporting Athletes in Developing Motivation, Resilience, and Optimism Dan Abrahams is a globally recognized Sports Psychologist who has worked with athletes and teams at every level and sport, as well as in the corporate realm. He has also authored a number of highly regarded books addressing areas such as resilience, motivation, adversity, and performance.  I had the good fortune to see Dan Abrahams speak to coaches at the recent United Soccer Coaches conference in Philadelphia and was excited to be able to catch him on this webinar.  I would encourage all parents and coaches to check it out on the Soccer Parenting Resource site. Click here to read the full story.

USL2 & USLW 2023 Schedules Released

Kings Hammer FC USL League Two and the USL Women’s League will be kicking off in May, with the first home games being played on May 14th (USLW) & May 19th (USL2). Head Coaches Paul Nicholson and Vince Gentile have been working hard to form their rosters. Player signing announcements will be posted on all our social channels beginning in March. Ticket information will be released shortly. For more information click here!

Interested in Coaching?

Kentucky Youth Soccer Association will be holding Grassroots Coaching Courses March 3rd-4th at St. Henry High School, located in Erlanger, KY. For more information and to register click here!

Kings Hammer Fan Wear

Warm weather is right around the corner—time to stock up on Kings Hammer fan wear! Come see all our great options online and remember: orders ship fast, and directly to your door. Be sure to check back as we add new styles and colors for our spring tournaments! Shop now: Kings Hammer Gear

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 Season! Click here to take the survey now

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