Welcome to the Kings Hammer Swan City December Newsletter! This edition features, Spring Center of Excellence, EA Winter Event, Florida Rush Cup, Vero Winter Cup, Kings Hammer Champions Showcase, ODP State Pool Training, New Merch, Meet the Coaches, 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 acorbett@kingshammer.com. Each newsletter will be posted on our website as well as our social pages.

Happy Holidays!

Our Fall Season is coming to a close, and we couldn’t be prouder of the incredible effort, growth, and teamwork displayed by all our players, coaches, and families. As we wrap up an exciting chapter of soccer, we want to take a moment to thank our amazing community for their unwavering support throughout the season.

From all of us at Kings Hammer Swan City, we wish you a joyful holiday season filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. See you in the new year for more soccer fun! 

Spring Center of Excellence Registration Open!

We are excited to announce the launch of our upcoming 2025 Spring Center of Excellence (COE) training program, tailored specifically for our Recreation players aged U6 through U12.

COE kicks off on January 6th is a fantastic opportunity for players to enhance their skills, learn new techniques, and take their game to the next level under the guidance of our experienced coaching staff.

**You do not have to be a member of our club to join. Tell your friends and have them join the fun.

Click here for more information and to register today!

EA Winter Event

What a fantastic weekend for our Kings Hammer Swan City teams at the Elite Academy Winter Event in Lakewood Ranch Dec 6th-9th! Our U13-U19 Boys showcased their skills and determination, truly crushing it on the field. They represented Kings Hammer Swan City with pride and excellence, proving once again that hard work pays off! 

Special shout out to our U14 (KHP1 SC B11) boys who went undefeated and finished #1 out of 38 teams AND our U16 (KHP1 SC B09) boys who had 2 wins and a Draw finishing #7 out of 45 teams!

Florida Rush Cup

What a weekend at the 12^th Annual Florida Rush Cup on Dec 7-8 for our teams. We have 5 teams attend with 1 team coming home as CHAMPIONS and 2 teams finishing as FINALISTS. Congratulations to our KHJR1 SC G16 who finished with a 8-0 win against Florida Rush to become CHAMPIONS. Our KHP1 SC B15 team gave it their in the finals with a hard-fought 3-3 draw that resulted in narrowly falling short and finishing as FINALISTS. In addition, our KHP1 SC B14 fought hard throughout the tournament, showing grit and determination every step of the way. While they fell short in the finals, we are proud of them coming home as FINALISTS. Great work everyone! 

Vero Winter Cup

Our KHP2 SC G13 girls have done it again! They battled it out at the 2024 Vero Winter Cup on Dec 7-8 and emerged as CHAMPIONS! In an intense final match against Brevard Soccer Academy Elite, the game ended in a 2-2 draw. The girls kept their composure and conquered the pressure of PKs, bringing home another well-deserved CHAMPIONSHIP! Congratulations girls!!

Kings Hammer Champions Showcase

Our Kings Hammer Swan City teams left the Sunshine state to compete in the Kings Hammer Champions Showcase in Murfreesboro, TN. We’re proud of their strong performances and how well they represented Kings Hammer Swan City on and off the field.

Special Shoutout to our KHP1 SC G06/07 team for finishing the showcase undefeated and with a clean sheet! Amazing effort and teamwork. 

ODP State Pool Training

December 14 and 15th Kings Hammer Swan City was proud to have four of our talented girls representing at the USYS/FYSA ODP State Regional Pool training. Congratulations to 2011 players Emily Lobb and Alex Crawford, 2012 player Maevelynn Corbett, and 2013 player Haidyn Barton for their hard work and dedication! 

Brand New Merch Available Now

Celebrate the New Year with some awesome new merch! We’ve added new fan gear to our Kings Hammer Shop that you’re sure to love! Now with extended sizing, we have Kings Hammer t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and more available at shop.KingsHammer.com. Check it out now!

December Meet the Coaches

This month we would like for everyone to get to know Coach Alexi Cortez and Coach Homero R. Valenzuela.

Meet Coach Alexi Cortez (KHP1 SC B08)

Meet our KHP1 SC B08 Coach Alexi Cortez! A Florida native from St. Petersburg, Alexi grew up playing for TBU before continuing his soccer career at Jacksonville University and Florida Southern College. With a B.S. in Biology and an M.S. in Exercise Science, Alexi blends his academic expertise with his passion for the game. A former professional player in the MASL, he now channels his experience into his KHP1 SC B08 team and his business Southside Footy. He is committed to building strong individuals first and technically sound soccer players second, Alexi embodies a holistic approach to coaching. His favorite quote by Viktor E. Frankl perfectly reflects his philosophy: “Success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue…” We’re proud to have Coach Alexi as part of our team this year, inspiring athletes both on and off the field!

Meet Coach Homero R. Valenzuela (KHP2 SC B15)

Meet our KHP2 SC B15 Coach Homero R. Valenzuela! Originally from Chile, a country where soccer is not just a sport but a way of life, Homero Valenzuela brought his deep passion for the game to the United States when he moved with his wife in 1989. Together, they built a beautiful family of five children and eight grandchildren.

Homero began his coaching journey in 1997, working with young players in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In 2001, he relocated to Lakeland, where he joined the former Lakeland Soccer Club (LFC) as a coach in its recreational program Committed to developing his skills, Homero earned his USSF E License in October 2014 and his US Soccer National D License in February 2019. His coaching philosophy goes beyond teaching kids how to play soccer; he believes in using the sport as a tool to prepare them for life. On the field, players learn to make decisions independently—skills that will serve them well as they grow and face the challenges of adulthood. Homero’s dedication to youth soccer is rooted in his love for the game and his desire to instill both technical skills and life lessons in his players. With his knowledge and passion, he looks forward to continuing to inspire young athletes and sharing the joy of the beautiful game for years to come.

GK Union Save of the Month

Congratulations to Kings Hammer Cincinnati’s Gavin Henderson & Kings Hammer Swan City’s Isabella Kirchon for being our November 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 spring 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.

December Education: Looking Back on the Year

The holiday season is upon us and the new year is approaching.  Most of our Kings Hammer teams have concluded their seasons, providing the ideal time to reflect on the journey through 2024 for all of us. This year has provided opportunities for growth, learning, and countless memorable moments. Here are some areas I hope that all of our families, coaches, players, and staff can reflect on and appreciate from this past year.

1. Growth and Development: While every Kings Hammer player will be moving on their on path to development, one of the most rewarding aspects of youth sports is witnessing the growth and development of each player.  Whether it is mastering new skills, improving their teamwork, growing stronger or faster, or even making new friends, each player has shown remarkable progress. It is inspiring to see the dedication and hard work of players on and off the field.
2. Team Spirit, Respect, and Unity: Respect and Unity, two of Kings Hammers Core Values, have been a key emphasis throughout the year.  Teams and individuals have truly embodied the spirit of unity and camaraderie. Whether it’s cheering each other on during matches or supporting one another through challenges, the sense of community within our program has been strong. These bonds extend beyond the field, fostering friendships and a supportive environment for all.
3. Memorable Moments: State Cup Champions, President’s Cup winners, tournament successes, All-American performers.  Kings Hammer teams and players have had many memorable winning moments this year.  Naturally, the club, teams, and players, have also had the learning experiences provided in tough losses as well. Hopefully every player and family can look back on games or practices that provided valuable lessons and opportunities for growth and where our teams showcased their skills and their sportsmanship.

Click here to read the full article.

Reminder: Photos for the 2024/2025 Season

With the 2024/2025 season underway, we would like to remind all families that KH Swan City will never charge for photos taken at the field. If anyone is requesting payment, they are not associated with us.