February Newsletter 2026

Welcome to the Kings Hammer February Newsletter! This edition features our 26/27 Tryout Save the Dates, Soccer at Rocky Top, Featured Education: “Player Development: The Game Becomes the Classroom”, 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.

Save the Dates! 26/27 Tryouts Dates are Here!

Mark your calendars! Tryouts for the 2026/2027 season will take place on the following dates:

Elite

U13 – U18 : May 4th – 8th

U11 – U12 : May 11th – 15th

NKY | Sycamore | Warren County

U8 – U10 : May 11th – 15th

U11 – U18 : May 18th – 22nd

Stay tuned—Official dates, times, and locations along with program details and registration will be announced soon. For clarification on player age groups for the 26/27 season, please click here.

Join Us for Kickin’ It with Kings Hammer!

Kickin’ It with Kings Hammer is back for 2026! Bring a friend, and enjoy some soccer, food, and fun with Kings Hammer staff! This free event is happening Friday nights at a location near you this spring:

Fridays | 6:00–7:30 PM | Grades K – 5

Mason, OH & Wilder, KY | 3/27 & 4/17

Sycamore, OH & Union, KY | 4/3 & 4/24

Lebanon, OH & Cincinnati, OH | 4/10 & 5/1

Kids will be grouped by age range and focused on fun and learning. Ready to kick off your weekends with excitement? Click here for more information and to register today!

Called Up!

Congratulations to Aniah, Riley and Parker on their invitations to participate in the US Soccer ID Center! Earlier this month, these ladies traveled to Indianapolis to test their skills and train in front of US Soccer YNT scouts. We’re so proud of you, ladies!

Soccer at Rocky Top!

Shout out to our KHA Cincy G11-1 team on a great performance at the Southeast Girls College Showcase this past month! These ladies played hard throughout the weekend, earning themselves the Finalist title. Way to go, ladies!

Featured Education: “Player Development: The Game Becomes the Classroom” By Michael Ratliff

“Development is a marathon, not a sprint.”

“Development is not linear.”

“It’s development over winning/results.”

“The game is the best teacher.”

These are phrases we often hear in youth soccer, but they carry meaning only when put into action. At their core, they emphasize that player development is a long-term, process-driven journey. It is not a straight line and not defined by short-term results.

Player development begins with respect for the process and an understanding that each player’s path is unique. No two journeys look the same. Players are challenged to focus on personal growth, set attainable goals, and establish small benchmarks along the way. Every ladder needs rungs before it can be climbed. Plateaus, peaks, and valleys are part of the journey, and navigating them builds integrity… owning the work even when progress feels grinding.

Success must also be reexamined. The scoreboard reflects a moment in time, not the full picture. Long-term competitive excellence comes from consistent effort, learning, and improvement. Playing with passion keeps development grounded and meaningful. The game itself becomes the classroom, encouraging creativity, problem-solving, and confidence under pressure. Players must play to develop. When challenges arise, open communication and collaboration demonstrate leadership and shared commitment to long-term growth. There is no shortcut or “magic sauce.” Consistent effort over time produces meaningful results.

Parents play a vital role in supporting this environment. Teams that win or lose every match present opportunities to ask thoughtful questions and seek actionable feedback from coaches and the club. Teams that compete, experience setbacks, and find moments of success are often in the most productive learning space. Growth often comes through struggle, with small successes along the way that build belief.

Finally, giving players space matters. Allowing them to take ownership fosters independence, accountability, and confidence. With space comes better conversations, deeper understanding, and a stronger foundation for a lifelong love of the game that is built on respect, leadership, integrity, passion, and creativity.

– Michael Ratliff, KH Cincinnati Pre-Elite Director

National Girls and Women in Sports Day

On February 4th, we celebrated all of the girls who show up and push the limits. Happy National Girls & Women in Sports Day!

Kings Hammer Takes on Mesa, AZ

Check this out! Our KHA Cincy G07/08 traveled across the country earlier this month to Mesa, AZ to take part in the January USYS National League Winter Event. The girls enjoyed some sun, some soccer, and a break from the Cincinnati winter! Photos provided by USYS National League.

GK UNION SAVE OF THE MONTH

We had two outstanding saves that separated themselves from the rest. Reagan Denton of our G09 Middle Tennessee Elite program delivered a triple-save to keep her team in the match while Kylen Lancaster of the G10 Middle TN program saved a PK which resulted from a foul she committed. Congrats Reagan and Kyle on being named our January Save of the Month winners!

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 upcoming 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.

Alumni Highlight: Dani Hicks finishes her senior year at Ashland!

Congratulations to Kings Hammer Alumna Dani Hicks on an incredible career with the Ashland University Eagles. While sadly Dani did tear her ACL in the NCAA tournament, she had a fantastic career at Ashland, that included 47 goals and 29 assists! We are so proud of you, Dani, and wishing you a speedy recovery!