December Newsletter 2025

Welcome to the Kings Hammer New Albany December Newsletter! This edition features, Season’s Greetings, Battle in the Bubble at Historic Crew Stadium, Back and Better Than Ever, High School Postseason Honors, From New Albany to Manchester, Winter In-House Juniors, and more! If you have a player, coach, or team to be highlighted in future newsletters, please send photos and stories to dfry@kingshammer.com. Each newsletter will be posted on our website as well as our social pages.

Season’s Greetings

As we close out the year, I want to extend a sincere thank you to our entire Kings Hammer New Albany community. Your commitment, energy, and support continue to make this club special, and I’m proud of what we’ve built together.

I’m looking forward to seeing many of our teams at indoor training this winter, as well as back out on the pitch as the season progresses. We will also be hosting a virtual Winter Open House to review winter training expectations and answer any questions. More information, including dates and details, will be shared via PlayMetrics.

You may have seen the recent announcement on social media, and I want to personally share that I have decided to step down from my role with the New Albany High School Boys Soccer Program. After 21 years on the sidelines of high school soccer, this decision allows me to spend more time with my family while continuing to fully support and invest in Kings Hammer New Albany—a club and community that mean a great deal to me.

Wishing you and your loved ones a relaxing, safe, and joyful holiday season, and all the best as we head into the new year.

— Johnny Ulry, General Manager, Kings Hammer New Albany

Battle in the Bubble at Historic Crew Stadium

Kings Hammer New Albany was proud to have KHJR NAB B17-1 and KHPA NAB B16-2 invited to compete in the Battle in the Bubble at Historic Crew Stadium, giving our players the opportunity to compete in an unforgettable, professional-level setting.

Both teams turned in standout performances, finishing undefeated (6–0 combined) inside the indoor bubble. Their success earned them spots in the championship match at Scotts Miracle-Gro Field on Sunday, April 12, held prior to the Columbus Crew match vs. Orlando City SC.

From New Albany to Manchester

Kings Hammer New Albany has officially gone international. 2015 Pre-Elite player Andrew Shaffer was spotted representing KHNA at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England — and yes, he was rocking his New Albany sweatshirt loud and proud.

Traveling abroad and repping Kings Hammer? We want to see it! Send us your photos and show how far KHNA reaches.

Back and Better Than Ever

After a busy high school season, our players returned to the pitch and just wrapped up a strong fall season with Kings Hammer New Albany. It didn’t take long for them to find their rhythm, bringing energy, competitiveness, and leadership back into training and games.

Their high school experience showed this fall, raising the standard and pushing the group forward. We’re proud of the work they put in and excited for what’s ahead.

High School Postseason Honors: KHNA Players Recognized

We’re proud to celebrate our Kings Hammer New Albany high school players who earned postseason recognition for their performances this year. Their hard work, commitment, and impact on the field did not go unnoticed, and these accolades reflect the standard they continue to set at their schools and within our club.

Postseason Honors Include:

Cyrus Bennett – Honorable Mention All-LCL, Second Team All-District
Holton Forman – Honorable Mention All-OCC, Scholar Athlete All-OCC
Matt Hannan – First Team All-MSL, First Team All-District
Sam Heck – First Team All-OCC, Second Team All-District
Nahom Hunde – First Team All-CCL, First Team All-District
Jaren Keller – Second Team All-OCC
AJ McDaniel – First Team All-CCL, Second Team All-District
Carson Shockley – First Team All-MVL
Jorel Tabilon – Second Team All-LCL
Drew Tebbutt – Honorable Mention All-OCC, Scholar Athlete All-OCC

Congratulations to all of these athletes on their well-earned recognition. We’re proud to have you representing KHNA and look forward to seeing what you accomplish next.

College Commitment: Holton Forman

A huge congratulations to Holton Forman, KHA B0708-1, Big Walnut High School Class of 2026, on his commitment to further his academic and athletic career at Mount Vernon Nazarene University!

We are so proud of your accomplishments and excited to see all that you will achieve. Go Cougars!

In-House Juniors: Winter Session Kicks Off January 28

Our In-House Juniors Winter Program kicks off January 28 and runs through March 7 at Marburn Academy, giving young players a fun, indoor environment to stay active and keep developing this winter. This six-week program focuses on skill development, confidence, and a love for the game.

Know a friend or family member who’s ready to get started in soccer? We’d love to have them join us! Click here to learn more and to register.

From the National Technical Desk: School‑Year Age Groups: Prepared, Player‑First, and Ready

Beginning with the 2026/27 season, U.S. youth soccer’s leagues and governing bodies will move from a birth‑year system (Jan 1–Dec 31) to a school‑year system (Aug 1–Jul 31), designed to reduce “trapped player” scenarios and let more kids play alongside school‑grade peers.

At Kings Hammer, we’ve planned for this change and will evaluate every player, team, and location to ensure the best environment for individual growth. We have always been about the player, and we are prepared to ensure that this continues to ring true!

Player Benefits

Fewer disruptions → Reduced 8th‑grade and senior‑year “trapped player” issues.
Play with classmates → Stronger team chemistry, higher enjoyment, better retention.
Smarter environments → More consistent social/physical maturity within age bands, clearer progression.
Flexible pathways → Players may remain aligned with their birth year or gain another competitive year within their graduation‑year band—flexibility that keeps the player and environment first.
Cleaner calendar → Evaluation, tryouts, and placements align more naturally with the school year.

What to Expect (High‑Level Timeline)

Dec–Feb 2026: Baseline club communications
Feb–Apr 2026: Publish evaluation windows and birth/grad‑year sessions
May–Jun 2026: Tryout period for the 2026/27 season; player/family touchpoint; updates before decisions
May–July 2026: Final placements; school‑year bands take effect

2026/27 School‑Year Age Bands (Aug 1–Jul 31)

U8: Aug 1, 2018 – Jul 31, 2019
U9: Aug 1, 2017 – Jul 31, 2018
U10: Aug 1, 2016 – Jul 31, 2017
U11: Aug 1, 2015 – Jul 31, 2016
U12: Aug 1, 2014 – Jul 31, 2015
U13: Aug 1, 2013 – Jul 31, 2014
U14: Aug 1, 2012 – Jul 31, 2013
U15: Aug 1, 2011 – Jul 31, 2012
U16: Aug 1, 2010 – Jul 31, 2011
U17: Aug 1, 2009 – Jul 31, 2010
U18: Aug 1, 2008 – Jul 31, 2009

Our DOCs already have master documents they are working on and reviewing that show every player in our club and where they currently fall in regard to the new graduation‑year bands (Jan-July or Aug-Dec). This is helping us see the bigger picture and start planning now to elevate sessions in the spring. As always, we will do what is best to help each player thrive here at Kings Hammer and develop to their full ability. Questions should be directed first to your program’s DOC. Thanks, and I look forward to seeing all of you grow over this winter and bring it out on the fields this coming winter and spring.

GO KINGS HAMMER!

– Bronson Gambale KH National Technical Director

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!

Explore the Kings Hammer New Albany Photo Gallery

Have you visited our photo gallery yet? We’re constantly adding new photos, so if you don’t spot your player this time, check back soon! All photos are free to download—perfect for sharing with family or posting on social media.

Don’t forget to tag us @KHNewAlbany and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X for new and exciting content!