October Newsletter 2025

Welcome to the Kings Hammer October Newsletter! This edition features our 2025 Winter Programming, Celebrating Our Kings Hammer Cincinnati Coaches, Featured Education: Building Championship Culture, 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.

Ready to join our Winter Futsal League?

Expand on your game skills this winter with our Futsal Program! For players U7(2019) – U15(2011), join us once a week for 8 weeks at RG Sports Academy on Saturdays starting November 15th through January 24th.

Players can expect:

A fast-paced, competitive environment
Instruction from Kings Hammer Staff
To Improve quick technique and decision making
30 minutes of practice, 30 minutes of match time

Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced small sided soccer game played across the world, with roots in South America. It’s played indoors on a hard court, and encourages creativity and tidy technical skill! Top players around the world have stretched themselves in similar environments, building their speed of play, soccer IQ, and overall confidence on the ball. Beyond the technical growth, futsal’s constant action keeps kids engaged, while developing balance and coordination, that transfers seamlessly to the outdoor game.

Build on your knowledge of technical skills, team communication, and on-the-ball decision-making through our futsal program. Spots are limited, so sign up today!

Click here for more information and to register for Winter Futsal!

Winter Camp Registration is Open Now

You’re invited to join us this holiday season for our awesome 2025 Winter Camp Series happening December 29th and 30th!

Winter Skills Camp (U8-U12) is a 2-day technical camp where field players will participate in our Skills School for the first hour, with a curriculum focused on ball manipulation, dribbling moves, passing and receiving techniques to help you improve your confidence as a player. During the second hour, the players will transition into finishing activities and small-sided games. This FUN fast-paced camp offers 1000’s of touches on the ball and plenty of technical skill repetition in pressurized situations and small-sided games. Learn more here.

Winter GK Clinic (U10-U14) is the perfect way for goalkeepers to work with Kings Hammer GK Union Staff to shake off the holiday rust and perfect their foundational skills. Our technically focused clinics will provide high-quality training at an intense pace to help you get ready for post-holiday break training. Each session will put goalkeepers in functional situations with an emphasis on technical proficiency and sharpness while following a progressive session model. Learn more here.

High-School GK Clinic (U14-U19) allows players improving their skills as they work with our Kings Hammer GK Union Staff. Our technically focused clinics will provide high-quality training at an intense pace to help you get ready for post-holiday break training. Session topics for this camp include Footwork & Handling w/Shot-Stopping Techniques (Diving Techniques), 1v1/Breakaways (Emphasis on Techniques – Cobra, Smother, Spread Save, K-Saves), and High Ball/Crossing Situation Techniques. Learn more here.

Click here for more information & to register for our 2025 Winter Camps

Join us for our Hammer Out Cancer Night at Warren County Sports Park

Join us on Wednesday, October 29th at Warren County Sports Park for our Hammer Our Cancer charity 3v3 tournament where proceeds benefit Susan G Komen in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While registration for teams is now closed, friends and family are still welcome to come cheer on our teams and help us raise some breast cancer awareness. Just looking to make a donation? Click here to help us reach our goal by donating to our fundraising page!

Celebrating Our Kings Hammer Cincinnati Coaches

On October 6th, we joined in celebrating National Coaches Day—a day to recognize the incredible impact coaches have on their players and communities.

At Kings Hammer Cincinnati, our coaches lead with heart, inspire growth, and create positive experiences that go far beyond the field. Their dedication helps our players develop not only as athletes but as teammates, leaders, and confident young people.

We are so thankful for the time, effort, and energy that each of our coaches gives to the club and their teams. Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning, or you just started your first season, thank you for all that you do!

Recognizing National Referee Day

October 11th is believed to be the anniversary of the very first game officiated by a referee. So this month, we celebrate and thank referees for all the hard work they do for the game we love. Without them, there are no matches. Be sure to say “Thank You” to your referees at every game!

Thinking about becoming a referee? First Time Referees can get certified through the U.S. Soccer’s Learning Center and attend their in person courses at these upcoming dates!

Get Certified in South Ohio – Register at OSSRC.com

Thursday, November 13th – Cincinnati, OH
Monday, December 1st – Cincinnati, OH

Get Certified in Northern Kentucky – Register at KYReferee.com

Sunday, November 2nd – Lexington, KY

KH ELITE GIRLS ARE CALLED UP

Join us in congratulating Alexis Kramer, Katie Gehringer, Audrey Blakely, Aniah Zembrodt, Parker Goetz, Kourtney Rahschulte, Riley Johnson, Gabrielle Goertemoeller, and Callie Raaker on their invitation to and participation in the U.S. Soccer Girls Youth National Team ID Center in Cincinnati earlier this month.

We’re so excited that each of you was able to take advantage of this incredible opportunity to showcase your skills. Way to go, ladies!

KINGS HAMMER TACKLES THE BLUE CHIP JUNIORS IN CINCINNATI

Earlier this month, teams from around the midwest joined us for our 2025 Blue Chip Juniors event here in Cincinnati. Congratulations to all our Kings Hammer teams that competed and were named Champions and Finalists! We know each of you worked incredibly hard to finish out those final matches strong, and you should be proud. A huge thank you to all the teams, coaches, staff, and volunteers who made this year’s event a success. We couldn’t do it without you. We’re already looking forward to Blue Chip Juniors 2026!

Check out the video below for a few highlights from the event!

KINGS HAMMER PLAYERS SHINE BEYOND THE PITCH!

This October, Kroger held their Kroger Wellness Festival downtown to promote health and fitness in the Cincinnati community. At the festival, Kings Hammer players Halston and Sutton proudly represented our club in their jerseys as they walked the stage in the Body Confidence and Dip Fashion Show!

It’s so cool seeing our player embrace exciting opportunities like this. Way to go, Halston and Sutton!

EARNING HARDWARE AROUND CINCINNATI AREA

Our players have been on the move and working hard this month! We had a number of teams participating in recent local events, like the Halloween Havoc and the CU Fall Finale! Congratulations to each of our teams that have been named Champions and Finalists this month. In addition to being proud of your hard work, we hope that you had some fun too!

CINCINNATI BEARCATS HOST KINGS HAMMER

A huge thank you to Cincinnati Bearcats Women’s Soccer for having our Elite Girls out for their match-up against Arizona State earlier this month! The girls had a blast hanging out, cheering them on, and watching them secure themselves a win. Go Bearcats!

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

GK UNION SAVE OF THE MONTH

Reflexes on display! Our September Kings Hammer GK Union Save of the Month winners showcased their best quick reactions to keep the opponent out of the net! Congratulations to Kamden and Mackenzie on their outstanding play!

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.

SERKAN ORSAN ON THE GOOD NEIGHBOR PODCAST

Listen in & learn more about Kings Hammer Soccer Club as Serkan Orsan, Kings Hammer’s VP of Sponsorship & Corporate Affairs, joins the Good Neighbor Podcast for their latest episode. From our rich ties to the Cincinnati community to our continued mission of providing an enjoyable soccer experience for all, you won’t want to miss it. Click here to listen now!

ALUMNI HIGHLIGHT: SAM LANG AND NAT BAIN ARE CALLED UP

A huge congratulations to Kings Hammer Alum Sam Lang on making his international debut with the US Men’s Deaf National Team on Sunday! The team earned themselves a historic 3-1 win over Germany at their match in Hartford, CT, with Sam making 4 saves in the full 90 minutes. The club is so proud of him and all of the work he has put in to get here!

We also want to congratulate Kings Hammer alumna and Kings Hammer FC player Natalie Bain on her invitation to the US U-23 WNT’s training camp this month! This was Nat Bain’s first-ever call-up to the US Women’s National Team, and she was the only college player to be called up for this camp. Nat is an incredibly dedicated and talented athlete with an inspiring kindness. We are so excited for her!

Congratulations to both of these awesome Kings Hammer alumni as they represent the red, white, and blue!

TAKE OUR PARENT INSIGHT SURVEY

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!