June Newsletter 2025

Welcome to the Kings Hammer New Albany June Newsletter! This edition features, World Cup Camp, Uniform Ordering Reminder, Fall Juniors, KHFC Columbus Final Home Match, 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.

World Cup Camp

Get ready for one of the most exciting soccer camps of the summer — the Kings Hammer World Cup Camp returns July 21–25 at Quest Vineyard Church! Open to boys and girls born 2012–2018 (U8–U14), this evening camp runs from 6:00–8:00 PM each night and is designed to sharpen technical skills, build team tactics, and ignite a love for the game. Players will be assigned to a World Cup country on Day 1 and spend the week training, competing in small-sided matches, and tackling daily themed challenges, trivia, and contests.

Click Here to Register!

Uniform Ordering Reminder

Get ready for the 2025–2026 season! All new players are required to order a Kings Hammer uniform kit, while returning players can reuse last season’s uniform if it still fits. Uniform fittings are available at Soccer Village – Dublin, and ordering deadlines are quickly approaching!

Check your email for full instructions, store hours, and important dates — and be sure to place your order on time!

Fall Juniors: Kick Off the Season with Us!

Do you have a young player at home — or know someone just getting started in the game? Our Fall In-House Juniors Program is the perfect introduction to soccer in a fun, supportive, and high-energy environment!

Starting Wednesday, September 3, players will train with Grassroots Director Noah Davidson and our staff to build skills, boost confidence, and fall in love with the game — all while making new friends. Whether it’s a sibling, neighbor, or family friend, help them take their first steps on the field. Open to both new and returning players.

Register now for the Fall Juniors Program!

Support KHFC Columbus in Their Final Home Match!

Join us for one last chance to cheer on Kings Hammer FC Columbus as they take the field for their final home game of the season on Wednesday, July 2 at 6:00 PM vs. West Virginia United!

Come enjoy a summer evening of USL League Two soccer at Veteran’s Field at Eagle Stadium (New Albany High School) and show your support for our pre-professional team — featuring future stars of the game!

Get your tickets now!

Coaches Spotlight: Jimi Mayo

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 Jimi Mayo:

How long have you been coaching?

I’ve been coaching for over 18 years, gaining experience across various levels including high school, college, and specialized coaching camps.

What inspired you to become a soccer coach?

My love for the game and the positive impact that quality coaches had on me growing up truly inspired me to become a coach myself.

What is your favorite coaching memory so far?

One of my favorite memories has been coaching alongside former teammates and lifelong friends — and now watching their kids grow up and play the game we all love. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the next generation build their own connection to soccer in such a meaningful way.

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

What I enjoy most is the genuine family atmosphere created by our players, coaches, and families. There’s a strong sense of community and support here that makes being part of Kings Hammer New Albany truly special.

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

As a young player, I looked up to Brian McBride — one of the first American stars in MLS and a key figure for the Crew. His toughness, work ethic, and leadership really stood out. As I grew older and deepened my understanding of the game, I admired players like Andrea Pirlo and David Silva for their incredible technical ability and intelligence within a team setting — they made the game look effortless. From a coaching perspective, I’ve always been inspired by John Wooden and Johan Cruyff. Both took a thoughtful, holistic approach to coaching, focusing not just on the game, but on teaching, character development, and how to bring out the best in people.

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

A few years ago, I started training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and it’s been both a challenging and rewarding experience. It’s reminded me what it feels like to be a student again, which has made me a better coach. I truly believe in being a lifelong learner — and stepping into something new has helped me grow both on and off the field.

Do you have any pets? Tell us about them!

Yes — our dog Sophie is absolutely our favorite thing in the world. We love her dearly and spend as much time with her as we can.

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

Be yourself and focus on learning the fundamentals — they’re the foundation that will unlock your creativity and potential on the ball. Most importantly, enjoy the process. Training and playing should be fun, because that’s when real growth happens. embrace that mindset are the ones who truly set themselves apart.

June Education: Continuing Development Over the Summer

Summertime means the days are longer, the weather is warmer, and the skies are typically brighter. But for many youth athletes it can also mean a loss of structure to our days; no school, no practices, no formal games, and a loss of some of the development gains made throughout the past season. However, with some simple planning and the right focus, athletes and their families can make great use of the summer weeks to maintain, or even improve themselves and be prepared for the next season.

Here are three key areas young athletes can work on this summer:

FOCUS ON SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT
IMPROVE OVERALL ATHLETICISM
INCREASE SOCCER AWARENESS

Focus on Specific Individual Development

The summer off season can be the perfect opportunity to spend time focusing on your own individual development by working on specific aspects of your play. We would encourage each player to reflect on two technical aspects of their play that are strengths and two areas that they wish they were stronger at. Kings Hammer players may be able to utilize prior Player Report Cards to assist in identifying these areas. Once identified, lay out a plan to work on these areas 30-45 minutes 3-4 days per week. Having a structured approach to this can be very helpful. There are several options that can assist with this.

Attend Soccer Focused Camps – We are fortunate in this area that there are numerous soccer camp options available. Be sure to check out the coach-to-camper ratio, the history of the camp and staff, as well as the general theme or objective of the camp prior to signing up in order to ensure it will meet your specific needs. Remember that Kings Hammer hosts camps throughout our program areas that may be perfect for your continued growth!

Connect with your coach – Most of your coaches should be able to provide you with foundational exercises to work on at home on your own or with a sibling, friend, or teammate.

Surf YouTube – Search for desired areas you want to work on and many options will be available for you to follow-along with or to build your own training plan from.

Try Private Coaching – There are a number of resources available in this area. You can work on your own or with a small group (get some teammates or friends involved.) Several Kings Hammer coaches are available over the summer to conduct sessions as well.

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