July Newsletter 2025

Welcome to the Kings Hammer New Albany July Newsletter! This edition features, Welcome Back, KH New Albany Open House, Summer Challenge, Fall Juniors, GK Save of the Month & Year, Coaches Spotlight, 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.

Welcome Back, KHNA Families

We hope you had a fantastic summer filled with fun, relaxation, and maybe a few backyard soccer games! As the new season approaches, we’re excited to welcome all of our players, families, and coaches back to the field.

Training is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to see the energy, effort, and enthusiasm you bring each day. Whether you’re returning for another great season or joining us for the first time, this year promises new challenges, growth, and plenty of memorable moments.

Players should check their PlayMetrics account for further details on exact times and locations. As we head into the new season we have provided a few helpful PlayMetrics links below:

To ensure the best environment for you to thrive, please familiarize yourself with our pathway and leadership:

Direct support

Soccer: Head Coach
Admin: Zone Administrator
Soccer Leadership: Zone Director of Coaching

Umbrella support

Education: National Technical Director / National Director of Data Analytics
Organization: Hub General Manager
Soccer Trainers / GK Director / GK Trainers

If you need anything at all, please first connect with your Head Coach and Director of Coaching. We believe communication is key.

All communication will go through PlayMetrics, and we are here to support your growth every step of the way.

Let’s kick things off strong — see you on the pitch! GO KINGS HAMMER!

Kings Hammer Summer Challenge

The Kings Hammer Summer Challenge has been heating up all July — and we’ve loved seeing your skills on display!

With just one week left, don’t miss your chance to finish strong. Led by National Technical Director Bronson Gambale, this 5-week social media challenge has brought out some serious talent — and there are still weekly prizes to be won!

Haven’t submitted yet? Here’s what to do:

Upload your video
Follow & tag your Kings Hammer club
Use #KHSummerChallenge25 to enter

Let’s finish the challenge with a bang — keep those submissions coming!

Fall Juniors: Kick Off the Season with Us

Looking for More Than Rec Soccer? Join Our Fall Juniors Program! Do you have a young player ready for something beyond the typical rec experience? Kings Hammer New Albany’s Fall In-House Juniors Program is the perfect next step — offering a fun, structured, and skill-focused introduction to the game.

Program Highlights:

Begins Wednesday, September 3
Led by Grassroots Director Noah Davidson and staff
Focus on skill development, confidence-building, and teamwork
Open to new and returning players ages 4–8
Make friends, build fundamentals, and fall in love with soccer!

Whether it’s your child, a neighbor, or a sibling ready to lace up their cleats, this is the place to start their soccer journey the right way. Register today and kick off the season with us!

Register now for the Fall Juniors Program!

GK Union Save of the Month & Year

New to Kings Hammer and the KH GK Union? Get to know our GK Union Save of the Month and the Aubrey Kingsbury Save of the Year initiative!

Save of the Month

Each month goalkeepers from across the club have the opportunity to submit their best saves from their Kings Hammer matches on our GK Union facebook page. At the end of each month, our National Director of Goalkeeping, Lou Liberatore, will select two participants, one boy and one girl, as the Kings Hammer GK Union Save of the Month winners.

To enter your saves for a chance to be named our Save of the Month winner, goalkeepers from across the club should start by joining the Kings Hammer GK Union facebook page. You can upload your save videos to this page with your name, your team name and where the save took place.

Aubrey Kingsbury Save of the Year

The Aubrey Kingsbury Save of the Year was created in collaboration with USWNT and NWSL goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury who is also an alumna of Kings Hammer. At the end of the ‘25/’26 season, Aubrey will review all of the season’s Save of the Month winners and select a boy and a girl winner for Save of the Year.

We want to wish everyone the best of luck this season. We look forward to seeing everyone’s best saves and blocks!

Coaches Spotlight: Megan Hilling

At Kings Hammer New Albany, we’re excited to highlight the exceptional coaches who play a pivotal role in shaping our players’ journeys. Each month, we’ll feature one of our dedicated coaches, offering you a closer look at the individuals who inspire and mentor our players, both on and off the field.

Meet Coach Megan Hilling:

How long have you been coaching?

I started coaching in 2013 when my oldest daughter turned four—so I’ve been coaching for 12 years now.

What inspired you to become a soccer coach?

What inspired me to become a soccer coach is my deep love for the game—if I could spend 100% of my day on the pitch, I would. That passion has driven me to make a positive impact not only on the soccer community but also in the lives of my own children. Soccer has taught me more than just how to play a sport; it taught me leadership, how to thrive in adversity, and how to be a true team player. As a coach, I have the opportunity to share those lessons and give back to the game that helped shape who I am.

What is your favorite coaching memory so far?

My favorite coaching memory isn’t tied to a single game or moment—it’s a collection of experiences from practices, games, and tournaments over the past year. What stands out most are the moments off the field: sharing meals, swapping stories, and spending time with players and their families. The connections, the laughter, and the support we show one another have created a true sense of community, and that’s what makes coaching so special for me.

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

What I enjoy most about being part of Kings Hammer New Albany is our focus on the players. It’s not just about winning—we prioritize player development, team cohesion, and continuous learning, all centered around creating the best environment for our athletes. The club’s values are clear, and they guide us in building a positive, supportive culture for both players and families. On top of that, our coaching staff truly supports one another and shares a genuine passion for the game.

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

My favorite player is Mia Hamm. As a young player in middle school, I remember watching her lead the U.S. team to victory in the 1996 Olympic Games and again in the 1999 World Cup. Seeing her compete at that level alongside such a legendary team was incredibly inspiring. She was a trailblazer for women’s soccer and showed the world what was possible—not just for female athletes, but for the sport as a whole.

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

I’ve been to 32 of the 50 U.S. states and have a goal to visit them all! I’ve also had the chance to travel internationally to the Dominican Republic and Rome, Italy—both unforgettable experiences.

Do you have any pets? Tell us about them!

Yes! We have a 5-year-old German Shepherd named Chief. He’s full of energy and absolutely loves playing in the sprinkler.

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

My advice to young players is simple: spend as much time with the ball as you can. Whether it’s juggling, passing against a wall, or scrimmaging with friends in the yard—every touch helps you improve. And don’t forget about fitness! Building strength and endurance will help you play longer and harder, so start training smart and safely. Consistency and effort go a long way.

From the National Technical Desk: Relentless Action

At Kings Hammer, everything we do centers around developing the individual player first and then supporting the team. Our philosophy, called the KH Way, is built on Relentless Action. This means having a constant drive to compete, create opportunities, and fight to win back possession. We want our players to approach every moment of the game with intent and determination.

Relentless Action is about more than effort. It is about players being engaged, making decisions with confidence, and applying what they have learned. We challenge players to dominate in 1v1 situations, take initiative, and be proactive both with and without the ball. These habits are taught at the youngest ages and carried through to our pre-professional players.

As a club, we believe that strong individuals build strong teams. By focusing on the development of each player, we prepare them to help their teammates and raise the overall level of the group. This mindset creates a culture where players compete with energy and purpose in every training session and match.

Whether you are watching a Little Lion take their first touches or one of our pre-professional players competing at the highest level, you will see the same traits: passion, hard work, and an unwillingness to quit. This is the KH Way. This is Relentless Action.

Over the course of this year, you will see short articles and notes from myself and other professionals across our Kings Hammer staff about how to grow as a player or support your players. As we start the year, the foundation of everything will be Relentless Action. As the year continues, we will build on the pillars that will help you thrive to unimaginable heights.

I cannot wait to see all of you out on the fields. GO KINGS HAMMER!

-Bronson Gambale, KH National Technical Director

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