May Newsletter 2025
Welcome to the Kings Hammer Swan City May Newsletter! This edition features 2025/2026 Tryouts, John Rodda Sports Complex Dedication, KHP1 B11 Elite Academy Nationals Bound, GCF Playoff Finals, ODP State Team Announcements, Ernie Head Invitational, 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.
2025/2026 Competitive Tryouts
We were excited to kick off our Elite and Academy boys and girls tryouts during the first week of May, with sessions continuing into the following week. The energy and talent on display were outstanding, and we were thrilled with the strong turnout of players across all age groups. As we look ahead, we’re eager to build on this momentum and are already looking forward to a competitive and successful 2025/2026 season!
John Rodda Sports Complex Dedication
On Saturday, May 10th we had the honor of taking part in the dedication of the John Rodda Sports Complex. We are incredibly grateful to the Rodda Family, the City of Lakeland, Lakeland Parks & Recreation, our City Commissioners, and Mayor Mutz for their vision, leadership, and dedication in bringing this dream to life. Because of their hard work, this beautiful complex will serve countless generations of athletes, families, and fans for years to come. It’s more than just fields—it’s a place where community, growth, and passion for sport will continue to thrive. We are proud to call the John Rodda Sports Complex our home. Thank you for making it possible for our community.
KHP1 SC B11 Elite Academy Nationals Bound
Our KHP1 SC B11 boys are headed to ELITE ACADEMY LEAGUE NATIONALS — and they need your support! This powerhouse squad has earned their place on the national stage, and now they’re raising funds to help make the trip possible. Every contribution brings them one step closer to the big stage!
This season has been nothing short of incredible, with milestone after milestone fueling their momentum:
- Undefeated in the EA Regular Season
- Undefeated at the EA Winter Showcase
- Champions of the U14 Gold Division at the Weston Cup & Showcase
- Champions of the U14 Select Division at the USL Pathway Classic
- 5 players selected to the Florida ODP State Team
- 5 players chosen to compete in the MIC Cup in Barcelona as part of the EA National Talent ID Program
These boys are chasing their dreams with grit, heart, and undeniable talent. Help us get them to Nationals — every bit counts!
If you would like to support getting the boys to Missouri: https://bit.ly/4jkr5JQ
GCF Playoff Finals
On Saturday, May 10th, four of our teams proudly competed in the GCF Playoff Finals—an achievement earned through their consistent hard work and determination throughout the regular season. We’re thrilled to share that our KHP2 SC B08, KHP2 SC B11, and KHP3 SC B14 teams all brought home the title of CHAMPIONS! Our KHP3 SC G11 team also delivered an incredible performance, finishing as finalists after a hard-fought match. Congratulations to all the players and coaches on an outstanding playoff showing!
ODP State Team Announcements
We are incredibly proud to announce that several of our players have been selected for the ODP (Olympic Development Program) Florida State Teams this year! Earning a spot on a State Team is a tremendous honor and a testament to each player’s dedication, skill, and hard work. Representing Florida through ODP means competing at the highest level against top talent from across the country, while gaining exposure to regional and national coaching staff. Congratulations to our standout athletes—we are proud of you, and we can’t wait to see all you accomplish at the next level!
2012 Female
- Maevelynn Corbett
2013 Male
- Michael Corba
2012 Male
- Alexandro Paniagiua
- Elijah MIracle
2011 Male
- Juan Campos
- Sebastian Chuvila
- Jackson Maxwell
- Leeland Padgett
- Noah Villarete
Ernie Head Invitational
We wrapped up an incredible Swan City SC Recreation season with one of our favorite annual Spring traditions — the Ernie Head Invitational!
From U8 to U15, our Recreational boys and girls hit the fields at Lake Parker Park bringing the energy, teamwork, and love for the game!
This tournament is more than just a finale — it’s a celebration of community, growth, and legacy. Ernie Head has played an integral role in shaping the Lakeland soccer community into what it is today. His passion, dedication, and countless hours of service over the years have impacted generations of players and families. We are beyond honored to hold this event in his name each Spring — a small way to say thank you for the enormous mark he’s made on our club and this entire area. Be on the lookout, Fall Recreation Registration is opening soon.
Summer Skills School Begins June 2nd!
Our 5 week Summer Skills School kicks off June 2nd and we want your player to be a part of it! Join us for one week or all 5 weeks at Lake Parker Park.
All Camp Options:
- Skills School – Elevate your technical game with expert coaching
- Skills School Futsal – Experience fast-paced indoor action to sharpen your skills
- Striker & Goalkeeper Camp – Strikers focus on finishing, while goalkeepers refine their shot-stopping abilities
Don’t miss this opportunity to train, improve, and have fun beginning June 2nd—register today!
Click here for more information & to register!
USL2 and USLW Seasons Have Officially Kicked Off
We’re excited to share that our USL League Two (USL2) and USL W League seasons have officially kicked off! These leagues represent some of the highest levels of pre-professional soccer in the country, providing elite college-aged players with a platform to develop and compete during the summer. Having USL2 and USL W teams in our community not only raises the level of the game locally but also inspires our younger players by showing them a clear pathway to the next level. Be sure to follow Kings Hammer FC Sun City on social media for game updates, player highlights, and full schedules—don’t miss a moment of the action! Match Tickers are also on sale here: https://tickets.khfcsuncity.com/
Kings Hammer Swan City Fan Gear
Gear up for the season! Be ready to support Kings Hammer this fall with fresh new looks. Explore the latest fan gear—now available in extended sizing—including t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and more at shop.KingsHammer.com. Don’t miss out—check it out now!
GK Union Save of the Month
Congratulations to Lauren from KH Cincinnati and Kamden from KH Swan City for being our April 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.
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!
Stay Connected with Kings Hammer Swan City
Don’t miss all the latest updates, news, and fun happening on our Kings Hammer Swan City social pages!
- FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/KHSwanCity
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khswancity/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/KHswancity
