May Newsletter 2025

Welcome to the Kings Hammer New Albany May Newsletter! This edition features, May Tournament Success, Summer In-House Juniors, May Education: Navigating Setbacks, KHFC Columbus Tickets on Sale, 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.

Celebrating May Tournament Success

A huge congratulations to all our teams for their outstanding performances in recent games and tournaments! Your skill, teamwork, and relentless determination continue to inspire us, and we are so proud of everything you have accomplished. We can’t wait to see even more success as the season continues!

Congratulations to all of our Kings Hammer New Albany teams for their incredible performances throughout May! Your skill, teamwork, and determination on the field have truly stood out — and we couldn’t be prouder.

From big wins to hard-fought battles, your efforts continue to inspire our entire club community. We’re excited to see what’s next— keep up the great work!

Buckeye Cup

Champions: KHA1 B15, KHP1 B16, KHP1 B17
Finalist: KHA1 B11

Junior Cup

Champions: KHA1 B15

Crown Challenge

Champions: KHA2 B09, KHA2 B14, KHA1 G15
Finalist: KHA3 B14

Ohio Champions League Spring Tournament

Champions: KHA1 B10, KHA3 B14, KHA2 G15, KHA2 B15, KHA3 B15, KHP1 G16, KHP3 B16
Finalist: KHA2 B13, KHA2 B14, KHP1 B17

Troy Strawberry Soccer Classic

Champions: KHA2 G15
Finalist: KHA2 B13, KHA1 G13

Join Us This Summer for Our In-House Juniors Program

Looking for a great way to get your young player active and learning the game this summer? Our In-House Juniors Program is the perfect introduction to soccer in a fun, positive, and engaging environment!

Starting Thursday, June 19, players will work with Grassroots Director Noah Davidson and staff to build technical skills, boost confidence, and enjoy the game — all while making new friends and having a blast.

Open to beginners and returning players alike — come join the fun this summer!

Click here to register now for the Summer In-House Juniors Program!

May Education: Navigating Setbacks

I overslept this morning. The report due to my boss today is missing. My flight home got cancelled. I didn’t hit my quota this month. The promotion at work went to the other person. The dishwasher leaked water all over the kitchen. I wrecked the car last night. My company just announced more layoffs.

We all suffer setbacks in life. Some small and easy to manage. Some large and more life changing. Youth also face setbacks, disappointments, and failures throughout their lives. And if they play in a sport, they will likely suffer setbacks there as well…

Not having a good practice, or not being able to perform a desired move
Missing the game winning shot
Not making the desired team, or not making a team at all

This last one is timely, as the end of the Spring season often tends to provide more reflection on success and failure, achievements and setbacks. Many athletes have finished the Tryout/Team Formation portion of the club calendar and our older players are just beginning HS preseason and will be coming up on more tryouts for those teams.

So, how do we help them navigate and persevere through the ups-and-downs of soccer. Note the action is NAVIGATE, not AVOID. Like us, our children are going to suffer setbacks in their journey, whether we are ready for it or not. As parents, our goal should not be to protect them from setbacks, but rather to prepare them and help them grow from them.

Click here to continue reading the full article!

Coaches Spotlight: Theo Lance

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 Theo Lance:

How long have you been coaching?

I began my coaching journey in 2012 and have been passionate about developing players and growing the game ever since.

What inspired you to become a soccer coach?

I’ve always had a deep passion for the game, and I wanted to share that with the next generation. Coaching gives me the opportunity to create a fun and challenging environment where young athletes can grow — not just in their skills, but in their love for the sport as well.

What is your favorite coaching memory so far?

While it’s always exciting to win tournaments or big games, my favorite moments are the small victories — when a player finally masters a skill they’ve been working on or when the team successfully executes a tactic we’ve trained on. Seeing a player’s face light up after nailing a new move, or hearing, “Coach, I can juggle this many times now!” — those moments of growth and confidence are what make coaching so rewarding for me.

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

It’s hard to choose just one thing! I truly appreciate the club’s player-centric approach to development, the supportive and collaborative coaching staff, and the family-like atmosphere that celebrates every success. Most of all, I’m inspired by our outstanding players who constantly challenge themselves to improve. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of such a special community.

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

As a lifelong Liverpool supporter, I’ve always admired Steven Gerrard. He was incredibly intelligent on the ball, able to control the midfield with precision passing and vision. What stood out most was that he wasn’t flashy or selfish — he was the ultimate team player. If you haven’t already, look up his highlights — you won’t be disappointed!

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

I’m a big fan of the outdoors — I love camping, hiking, and kayaking whenever I get the chance. I also enjoy a good mental challenge, so one of my favorite hobbies is playing chess!

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

Flying would be amazing, but I’d choose teleportation. Not only could it be used for good — like quickly delivering life-saving medicine or supplies to people in need — but let’s be honest, skipping the morning commute and never paying for travel again sounds pretty great too!

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

I’d love to play at Anfield in Liverpool — the atmosphere there is absolutely electric, and as a passionate Liverpool supporter, it would be a dream come true. That said, there’s also something special about the idea of playing street soccer in Brazil, where so many of the game’s legends got their start. It’s the heart and soul of the sport in its purest form.

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

Learn from your failures. It’s easy to get frustrated when you can’t execute a skill or have a tough game, but those moments are powerful learning tools. Instead of dwelling on mistakes, use them as motivation to grow. Every setback is part of the process — and the players who embrace that mindset are the ones who truly set themselves apart.

KHFC Columbus Pre-Professional Tickets on Sale!

Ready for high-level soccer close to home? Come cheer on Kings Hammer FC Columbus, our USL League Two pre-professional team, and catch the future stars of the game in action!

Home matches are played at Veteran’s Field at Eagle Stadium on the campus of New Albany High School — and there’s no better way to spend a summer evening than supporting local talent.

Tickets are available now — don’t miss out, click here!

Share the Moments & Follow Us on Social!

Have you seen the latest photos from Kings Hammer New Albany? Our Photo Gallery is packed with game-day action, team celebrations, and unforgettable moments.

All images are free to download, so you can easily save, share, and post your favorites. When you do, don’t forget to tag us @KHNewAlbany and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and X to stay connected with all things KHNA. Your player might be featured next — so check back often!