April Newsletter 2026

Welcome to the Kings Hammer Swan City April Newsletter! This edition features ’26/’27 Tryouts are Here, Elite U9-U12 Coaching Slates, Program Pricing, Summer Opportunities, 3v3 World Cup Tournament, High School All-County Honors, Featured Education: “A Letter from the Technical Desk: Tryouts”, 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.

2026/2027 Tryouts are Here!

Tryouts begin May 1st, but there is still time to register! Don’t miss your opportunity to be evaluated and be part of what we’re building.

Missed Girls Tryouts (U13–U19)?
There’s still a path. Reach out directly to Girls Director Ash Hill at ahill@kingshammer.com for opportunities.

Click the links below for more information and to secure your spot:

Click here to register now!

Elite U9-U12 Coaching Slates Announced

We’re excited to introduce our U9–U12 Elite coaching staff (boys & girls). This group brings strong leadership, energy, and a clear commitment to developing players the right way. We can not wait to get started!

Program Pricing & “The Kings Standard”

Elite & Academy program pricing for the 2026/2027 season are now officially live on our website. With prices now live we want to highlight “The Kings Standard” and what will all be included in each programs price.

Please check out the program pages on our website for more information or our social media pages for a quick rundown.

Summer Opportunities

Technical Training
Led by Ash Hill and Ryan Wolfe, this program focuses on consistent, high-level technical development.

$20 per session
U8–U19
Tuesdays & Fridays | 8–9 AM
Tiger Town Front Field

Flexible attendance—drop in by day, week, or month!

Summer Camps
Don’t miss out on our 2026 Summer Camps! Their are multiple weeks available and they are open to all players! July dates coming soon.

Click here to register now!

3v3 World Cup Tournament

Get ready for a day of exciting small-sided soccer at Lake Parker Park on May 30th!

We’re bringing the World Cup vibe to Lakeland with our 3v3 World Cup Tournament, open to boys and girls U8–U19. Fast-paced games. World Cup atmosphere. Open to all players U8–U19.
Grab your team and compete!

Click here to register now!

High School All-County Honors

We’re proud to recognize our players named to the 2025–2026 Ledger All-County Teams. This recognition reflects the work they put in every day and how they represent the club.

Girls Highlights
2nd Team: Mackenzie Purdie, Natalie Medina, Audrey Slater, Sydney Socorro
Honorable Mention: Natalie Wood, Brooke Barrett, Maddison Moore, Isabella Kirchon

Boys Highlights
1st Team: Jurem Alejo
2nd Team: Ian Acevedo, Ryon Morgia, Ayden Buffington, Joaquin Rodriguez, Joel Estrada, Emory James, Aldo Pruna
Honorable Mention: Octavio Miguel, Daniel Rathore, Tyler Miller, Estevan Geronimo, Leonel Santibanez, Jensen Warner, Landon Gawtrey, Jackson Walker, Ethan Villalon

Exciting Announcements

ODP National Select Experience
Congratulations to 2011 Elite player Noah Villarete on representing the US Youth Soccer ODP National Select Team in Portugal. Competing against top international teams from Japan, Portugal, and France, the group conceded just three goals all tournament.
Noah represented the club the right way—on and off the field. An experience to remember.

Coaching Development
Congratulations to Coach Mackenzie Riley on earning her USSF C License. This reflects her commitment to learning, growing, and investing in her players. Strong coaches continue to elevate our entire club.

Next Level – College Signing
Official: Emory James has signed with King University. A well-earned opportunity and a big step forward. Proud of the work he’s put in and excited for what’s ahead.

Competition Recap

Easter International Cup Champions
Our 2011 Elite girls went the distance at the Copa Rayados Easter International Cup—five matches from Thursday through Easter morning—and never let up. They capped it off with a dominant 3–0 win in the final over Connecticut FC Legacy RL.
Relentless, driven, and fully deserving. We couldn’t be prouder of this group.

Sarasota Cup Success & Finalists

2015 Pre-Academy Girls: 2nd place finish at Sarasota Cup + 2nd in USA League to close the season. A group that has grown tremendously.
2016 Pre-Elite Girls: Sarasota Cup Finalists—strong run to finish the season.
2011 Academy Boys: Reached the Sarasota Cup Final with a gritty, consistent weekend.
2015 Pre-Elite Boys: Sarasota Cup Finalists—continuing to develop and compete at a high level.

Undefeated Weekend
Our 2009 Elite Boys went unbeaten at the NAL Crossover Fest, competing against top-level opposition and showing exactly what they’re capable of.

DPL Showcase – Virginia

U14 Girls: Battled in the top division with resilience and strong work rate throughout the weekend.
U13 Girls: Finished 2–1, closing with a 4–1 win. Clear growth, confidence, and strong momentum moving forward.

International Experience
2014 Pre-Elite players Isaiah Perez and Ahmad Abukhdair competed in the MIC Football Tournament in Spain, facing top global competition, including La Masia. A great opportunity earned through hard work and commitment.

Development & Club Culture

Pre-Academy Growth
From Rec to competitive, our 2015 Pre-Academy girls continue to show what development looks like over time. The foundation is strong, and the future is bright.

End-of-Season Moments
Our 2013 Elite Girls wrapped up their season the right way—together. These moments matter and reflect the culture we’re building across the club.

Team Bonding
Our 2014 Pre-Elite Boys closed out a training night with a well-earned pizza party—built on competition, consistency, and a little fun.

In the Community

Our Directors recently spent time with students at Mulberry RCMA, sharing the game and connecting through soccer. Creating access and building relationships in the community is a big part of who we are.

If your school is interested in partnering with us, reach out: info@kingshammer.com

From The National Technical Desk: Tryouts

As we move through the spring season, our focus begins to shift toward something that carries real weight — the opportunity to prove yourself, push your limits, and take the next step in your soccer journey. Tryout season is approaching, and with it comes one of the most important challenges you’ll face as a developing player. The question isn’t whether you’re ready. The question is whether you’re willing to go after it.

Being part of Kings Hammer means you are already ahead. You train in one of the best environments in the region, one built with intention, with structure, and with each individual player in mind. Our program exists to give you the clearest possible pathway forward, from where you are today to where you are capable of going. That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because of the people around you, the standards we hold, and the culture we build together every day on that training field.

When you walk into tryouts, you carry that with you. You carry the reps, the lessons, the feedback, and the habits built inside this program. That is your foundation. Don’t take it for granted. Lean into it.

Here’s what we want to challenge you with as tryout season approaches:

Go after it with everything you have. Spring is your opportunity to make a statement. Every session, every match, every rep between now and tryouts is a chance to sharpen your game and show what kind of player you are becoming. Don’t coast. Don’t wait. Attack this stretch of the season with urgency and intention.
Trust the process you’ve been a part of. You have been coached, challenged, and developed inside a program that cares deeply about your growth. The knowledge you’ve built here is real. The connections you’ve made are real. Walk into every opportunity this spring knowing that the work has been done. Now it’s time to show it.
Use the resources around you. Your Directors of Coaching and your Head Coaches are here for you. Ask questions. Seek feedback. Have the conversations that help you understand what areas to sharpen and where your game can grow. That’s what they are here for. Great players don’t wait to be coached. They seek it out.

Kings Hammer is built on three things: the best environment, the clearest pathway, and a genuine commitment to serving every player who comes through this program. As tryouts approach, know that you are not doing this alone. You have a staff, a club, and a community behind you. Trust the preparation, embrace the challenge, and go compete.

The spring is yours. Go take it.

Go out there and bring the Relentless Action.

– Bronson Gambale, KH National Technical Director

GK Union Save of the Month

Our March GK Union Save of the Month winners sure know how to stop a counter attack! A leaping save from Henry in Middle Tennessee and breakaway stops from Lily in Cincinnati stole the show! Congratulations Henry and Lily!

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 upcoming 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.