Welcome to the Kings Hammer New Albany January Newsletter! This edition features, Winter Training is Back in Action, Highlights from the United Soccer Coaches Convention, Winter II Juniors Begins this Week, Coaching Staff Rings in the New Year, 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.

Back in Action: Winter Training Kicks Off Strong!

It has been great to see our players and coaches back at training this month! The energy, commitment, and passion indoors has been inspiring. Keep up the good work, and let’s make this Spring season our best yet!

Highlights from the United Soccer Coaches Convention

A few of our coaches and administrators had the privilege of attending the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Chicago this month. It was an incredible opportunity to build connections, gain insights into bettering our club, and discover new ways to support the development of our players and coaches. It was also great connecting with our Kings Hammer sister clubs and sharing ideas. We’re energized and excited for all that’s to come in the 2025 season!

Click here to find out what Ivan Landaverde, Director of Coaching, and Johnny Ulry, General Manager, learned and what they enjoyed most about their experience.

Winter II Juniors Begins This Week! Spring Registration is Live!

Get ready for another exciting Juniors Program of growth, fun, and soccer! The Winter II Juniors Program is kicking off this week, and there’s still time to register. This program is designed to provide young players with a player-centered experience that focuses on technical skills and overall development. Under the guidance of Adam Gatton and our staff, players will experience a positive and encouraging environment, ensuring they build confidence on and off the field.

Warmer weather is on the horizon, and so is our Spring 2025 Juniors Program! Secure your child’s spot early to ensure they don’t miss out on another season of growth and fun.

Click here to learn More & Register Now!

Coaching Staff Rings in the New Year

The coaching staff started the new year with an evening of bowling, delicious food, and great company. It was the perfect opportunity to connect, reflect on our shared goals, and recharge as we prepare for an exciting spring season ahead. While we may not all be pro bowlers, we certainly knocked down a few pins.

Meet Chase Geddis, KHA1 B12 Staff Coach

• How long have you been coaching?

I’ve been coaching since the spring of 2022, so this will be my third year.

• What inspired you to become a soccer coach?

Soccer has had such an impact on my life, and I wanted to give back to the game that’s given me so much.

• What is your favorite coaching memory so far?

Being able to coach alongside my brother, Chris. It’s been such a rewarding experience to share that journey with him.

• What do you enjoy most about being part of Kings Hammer New Albany?

I love the hunger for growth and development—not just from the players, but also from the coaches, directors, and even the parents. It’s a truly inspiring environment.

• Do you have a favorite soccer player or coach you look up to? Why?

There are so many, but if I had to pick one, it would be Ronaldo. His relentless work ethic and dedication to improvement are second to none.

• Tell us a fun fact about yourself! (Any hobbies, favorite food, or hidden talents?)

I enjoy working out with my friends—it’s a great way to stay fit and have fun at the same time.

• Do you have any pets? Tell us about them!

Yes! I have two dogs: Zeke, a Lab, and Carlos, a Pitbull.

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

I’d choose to be omniscient so I could know everything and use that knowledge to make life better for myself and others.

• If you could play soccer anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

The new Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. It’s a state-of-the-art facility with such rich club history—it would be a dream to play there.

• What’s one piece of advice you’d give to young players looking to improve their game?

Train at home every single day with the intent to get better. Consistency and focus make all the difference!

Enhance Your Skills with Techne Training!

Our players are taking their game to the next level with Techne, a user-friendly app that provides weekly technical training sessions. With a focus on sharpening fundamental skills and ball mastery, Techne is the perfect tool for improving performance both on and off the field.

Congratulations to our January Techne Leaderboard:

1. KHA2 B14 – 861 Total Minutes

2. KHP1 B16 – 648 Total Minutes

3. KHA3 B14 – 431 Total Minutes

4. KHA1 G11 – 379 Total Minutes

Haven’t received your Techne account invite? Contact our Director of Coaching, Ivan Landaverde, at ilandaverde@KingsHammer.com to set up your free account today.

January Education: Fostering a Love for the Game

As parents and coaches, we all want to provide the best opportunities, support, and chance for success for our children and players.  Sometimes though, we may not even be aware of the small ways we may be contributing to them losing their love of the game.  Here are six key areas for parents to explore from an article published by the people at I Love to Watch You Play.

1. We Turn Every Game into a Judgment
   • When every game becomes a performance instead of an experience, kids lose the joy of just playing.
2. We Micromanage Their Journey
   • Too many kids feel like passengers in their own sports journey—with parents and coaches at the wheel, mapping out their future before they even know what they want.
3. We Overcorrect Instead of Letting Them Struggle
   • Sports are supposed to teach resilience. But too often, we don’t let them actually struggle.
4. We Make Every Decision About the Future
   • Every time we shift their focus to what’s next, we pull them away from what’s now.
5. We Make the Game Feel Like a Job
   • If the game feels like an obligation, joy disappears.
6. We Forget That Our Role Is to Be Their Safe Space
   • No one in their sports world should love them less when they lose or more when they win.

Click here to read the full I Love to Watch You Play article.

Discover the Kings Hammer New Albany Photo Gallery!

Check out our photo gallery and relive the moments from this fall! New pictures are added frequently, so if you don’t spot your player today, don’t worry—more are on the way.

All photos are available for free download, making it easy to share with family or showcase your player on social media.

Be sure to tag us @KHNewAlbany and follow along  on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, for the latest updates!

We Want to Celebrate You!

At Kings Hammer New Albany, we take pride in highlighting the amazing stories within our community. Each month, our club-wide newsletter shares exciting updates, achievements, and important news. High school players can also dive into our specialized college recruiting newsletter, packed with resources, tips, and timeline guidance to support their next steps.

Both newsletters are shared at the end of each month on our website and social media. Have a standout player, coach, or team story you’d like featured? We’d love to hear from you! Send your stories and photos to Daniel Fry at dfry@kingshammer.com and help us celebrate your moments.

Interested in Sponsoring our USL-2 Team?

Join us in supporting the growth of soccer in our community! We have an incredible opportunity to sponsor our USL-2 Team, Kings Hammer FC Columbus. This is a fantastic way to showcase your business while backing semi-professional athletes and inspiring the next generation of players.

If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Johnny Ulry at julry@kingshammer.com for more details.

Thank You to Our Club Sponsors!