February Newsletter 2026

Welcome to the Kings Hammer New Albany February Newsletter! This edition features, Spring 2026 Season Kicks Off, National Girls & Women in Sports Day, In-House Juniors, Sports Performance Rehabilitation, Featured Education: “Player Development: The Game Becomes the Classroom”, GK Union Save of the Month, 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.

Kings Hammer New Albany Opens 2026 Season on the Pitch

Kings Hammer New Albany officially kicked off the Spring 2026 season this month, February 21–22, stepping onto the pitch for the club’s first games of the new year. Battling cold temperatures and strong competition, our teams rose to the challenge and finished the opening weekend strong.

Saturday (February 21) matchups featured:

KHA NAB B13-1 vs Liberty FC White
KHA NAB B0708-1 vs Blast FC Academy NPL
KHA NAB B09-1 vs North FC
KHA NAB B12-1 vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds RDA NH

Sunday (February 22) continued the action with:

KHA NAB B13-1 vs North FC Hudson
KHA NAB B12-1 vs Soccer Vision Academy
KHA NAB B09-1 vs Carmel FC Gold

From resilient defending to sharp attacking play, the weekend showcased the hard work our players have put in throughout the winter months.

Celebrating National Girls & Women in Sports Day

Earlier this month, we proudly recognized National Girls & Women in Sports Day — a celebration of the achievements of girls and women in athletics, past, present, and future.

This day serves as a powerful reminder of the progress that has been made in creating opportunities for female athletes, while also recognizing the work that continues to ensure equal access, support, and visibility in sports. From youth leagues to collegiate competition and beyond, girls and women continue to break barriers, raise standards, and inspire the next generation.

At Kings Hammer New Albany, we are proud to support and empower our female athletes by providing an environment where they can develop their skills, build confidence, compete at a high level, and grow as leaders on and off the field.

Today and every day, we celebrate the dedication, resilience, and bright futures of the girls and women who make our club stronger.

In-House Juniors: Spring & Summer 2026 Registration Now Open

While our Winter In-House Juniors Program is in full swing, it’s never too early to plan for spring and summer! Registration is now open for Kings Hammer New Albany’s Spring and Summer 2026 Outdoor In-House Juniors Programs, designed for U5–U9 players. These six-week programs focus on developing skills, building confidence, and fostering a lifelong love of soccer in a fun, age-appropriate environment.

Spring 2026: April 9 – May 16 | Summer 2026: June 18 – August 1

Location: Quest Vineyard Church, 4877 Central College Rd, Westerville, OH

Programs run Thursdays from 6:00–7:15 PM and Saturdays for 1-hour sessions (times vary by age group). Whether your player is just starting out or looking to sharpen their skills, these programs are the perfect way to stay active and learn new skills. Click here to learn more and to register

Unlocking the Power of Sports Performance Rehabilitation

An injury doesn’t have to mean a step back. With today’s advanced sports performance rehabilitation, athletes can recover stronger, faster, and smarter — turning downtime into an opportunity to improve skills, prevent future injuries, and gain a competitive edge.

From objective data tracking to targeted strength and agility training, modern rehab goes far beyond basic recovery. The right mindset, combined with expert guidance, can help you not only return to play but return better than before.

Read the full article to learn how sports performance rehabilitation can take your game to the next level and keep you performing at your best.

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

GK Union Save of the Month

Talk about putting the team on your back! 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.

Gear Up for Spring with Kings Hammer New Albany

Spring is just around the corner — the perfect time to refresh your Kings Hammer New Albany apparel and accessories. Rep your club with our Fan Shop, powered by Soccer Village, is open 24/7, so you can shop anytime, anywhere. Click here to shop.

Stay in the Loop with @KHNewAlbany

Follow Kings Hammer New Albany on Facebook, Instagram, and X to catch all the action! From team photos and club updates to behind-the-scenes moments, it’s the easiest way to keep up with everything happening at the club.

Enjoy what you see? Share the love! Invite friends to follow, share your favorite posts, and tag us @KHNewAlbany—you might just see your player featured next!