May Newsletter 2026
Welcome to the Kings Hammer Swan City May Newsletter! This edition features DPL Nationals Bound, NAL Champions, Officially Selected for GA Aspire, Academy Teams Join N1, Competitive Tryouts, Summer Opportunities, Rec Select, Ryland Kent Commitment, Ernie Head Invitational & Event Champions, Featured Education: “A Letter from the Technical Desk: Summer Challenge”, 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.
DPL Nationals Bound
𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑭𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒂 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝑰𝑮 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆 – A huge congratulations to our 2011 & 2012 Elite Ladies on earning their spots at the DPL National Finals in Virginia Beach, June 23-28th! These girls have worked tirelessly all season long, both battling their way to a Top 2 finish in the state of Florida, and now they get the opportunity to represent our club on the national stage. Their dedication, commitment, and passion for the game have truly paid off. We could not be more proud of these groups and everything they have accomplished so far. If you see any of these ladies around town, make sure to congratulate them and wish them the best of luck as they head to Virginia Beach to compete against some of the best teams in the country!
NAL Champions
A huge congratulations to our U15 Boys for finishing top of the league in their age group in the NAL League!
This group has been the definition of consistency, dedication, and drive all season long. Week after week, they showed up and set the standard—competing with purpose, pushing each other, and representing the club with pride.
Their commitment and work ethic have truly separated them, and this finish is a reflection of everything they’ve put into the year. Congratulations, boys, on an outstanding season. Up next, Nationals!
Officially Selected for GA Aspire
In case you missed the news, Kings Hammer Swan City has officially been selected to join GA Aspire. This is a major step forward for girls soccer in our community, bringing a true pathway for players to compete and develop at a higher level, right here at home. The future is here in Lakeland and we can’t wait to continue to share with you all that the Girls Academy platform has to offer for our ladies.
Click here to learn more about the Girls Academy Aspire League
Academy Teams Joining N1
Our Academy teams are joining the National 1 League (N1) for the 2026–2027 season.
The National 1 League is the top team-based competition across US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer, bringing together the former National Premier Leagues and National League into one unified national platform.
What does that mean?
- Higher competition.
- Meaningful games.
- A true national pathway for our Academy Teams.
N1 also creates direct opportunities for top-performing clubs to advance into the ECNL Regional League, while giving standout teams in local leagues a clear path to reach N1.
We are proud to be part of it.
Competitive Tryouts
Tryouts took place earlier this month for both our boys and girls’ programs, and we have loved seeing the fields filled with so many returning players and new faces ready to join the Swan City family! The energy, excitement, and passion on display throughout tryouts have been incredible, and we are so grateful to every player and family who came out to be part of the experience. We can’t wait to see what this upcoming season has in store!
Summer Opportunities
Technical Training
This summer, we’re bringing elite-level training at an affordable cost for players serious about improving their game. Led by Ash Hill (UEFA B, USSF B Candidate) & Ryan Wolfe (USSF C), this program focuses on technical development in a high-quality environment—without the high price tag.
- $20 per session
- U8–U19
- Tuesdays & Fridays | 8–9 AM
- Tiger Town Front Field
We have made it easy, you can drop in by the day, week, or month, but you must be registered. Perfect for players ready to sharpen skills, gain confidence, and stay consistent this summer.
Click here for more info & to register!
Summer Camps
The countdown is ON! Kings Hammer Swan City Summer Camps begin soon and we can’t wait to get back on the field with everyone this summer! From outdoor camps to futsal, there’s something for every player.
Rec Select Coming to South Lakeland
You asked, we delivered.
Rec Select is officially launching at our Loyce E. Harpe / Carter Rd Campus for boys and girls ages U8-U19. Built for players ready for more development, more competition, and more growth while staying rooted in our South Lakeland/Mulberry community.
Click here to learn more about Rec Select!
Interested in coaching? Email econlon@kingshammer.com
Committed
We are proud to celebrate Rylan Kent on his commitment to continue his academic and athletic journey at Southeast Christian College. Rylan has shown tremendous dedication, growth, and character throughout his time with us, and this next step is a reflection of the hard work he has put in on and off the field. We can’t wait to see him take this opportunity and continue to develop, compete, and thrive at the next level. Congratulations, Rylan!
Ernie Head Invitational
This past weekend, our Swan City SC Recreation community came together for one of the most meaningful events of the season — the Ernie Head Invitational. More than just a tournament, the weekend served as a celebration of everything youth soccer is meant to represent: fun, teamwork, sportsmanship, and families coming together around the game we all love.
The Ernie Head Invitational holds a special place in the heart of Lakeland soccer because it honors a man whose impact on the game continues to be felt throughout our community today. Ernie Head’s dedication, passion, and commitment to Recreation soccer helped build the foundation for generations of young athletes to step onto the field, create lifelong memories, and discover a love for the game. His influence helped shape the culture of community soccer in Lakeland and created opportunities for countless players and families over the years.
Throughout the weekend, players competed with excitement, coaches led with encouragement, and families filled the sidelines with support — all while continuing the tradition and values Ernie helped establish. It was a weekend filled with smiles, memories, and moments that reminded us why Recreation soccer is so important to our community.
We are proud to continue honoring Ernie Head’s legacy through this special event and grateful to every player, coach, referee, volunteer, and family who helped make the weekend unforgettable.
Ernie Head Champions
What a weekend to close out our ‘26 Spring Recreation Season at Lake Parker. The heat was real, but our teams showed up, worked hard, and most importantly—had fun doing it.
First, we want to celebrate our CHAMPIONS on the girls side:
- U15 Jones
- U12 Rose
- U10 Krajnyak
- U8 (Platinum) Sublett
- U8 (Gold) Driggs
Boys:
- U15 – Bello
- U12 (Platinum) – Sutherland
- U12 (Gold)– Pressley
- U10 (Platinum)– Rivas
- U10 (Gold)– Plummer
- U10 (Silver) – Rodriguez
- U8 (Platinum) – Bianchi
- U8 (Gold)– Lasram
- U8 (Silver) – Nieto
Congratulations to all of our players, coaches, and families on an incredible weekend at Lake Parker. We loved seeing the hard work, teamwork, and excitement from every team all tournament long.
Community
Over the past month, our Directors had the incredible opportunity to spend time with the students at RCMA Mulberry, sharing the game we all love. Through soccer, they taught skills, tricks, teamwork, and most importantly, how to have fun and enjoy the game. It was truly a pleasure building relationships with these students and creating memories both on and off the field.
If your school is interested in partnering with us, reach out: info@kingshammer.com
Referee Appreciation
Behind every successful soccer community are people working tirelessly behind the scenes, and today we want to recognize Kyle Phillips for the incredible impact he continues to make across Polk County soccer. From assigning matches throughout the area to mentoring and developing young referees, Kyle plays a vital role in helping the game grow in our community. His passion for officiating, dedication to supporting referees, and commitment to creating a positive learning environment have helped countless officials grow both on and off the field. We are incredibly grateful for all that Kyle does to support the referee community and the game we all love. Thank you, Kyle, for your continued dedication and leadership!
Sponsor Appreciation
As we continue reflecting on the incredible memories made during the Ernie Head Invitational and the close of another wonderful Recreation season, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to two of our valued community sponsors, TLC Catering and Lobb & Mohr. Their continued support of our club and youth soccer in our community plays a huge role in helping us create meaningful experiences for our players and families.
Both of these local businesses consistently invest back into the community and help make events like the Ernie Head Invitational possible. From supporting our players to standing alongside our club throughout the season, their partnership means so much to our Swan City family. We are incredibly grateful for their generosity, commitment, and belief in the impact youth sports can have on our community.
From The National Technical Desk: Summer Challenge
As the summer break arrives, I want to take a moment to step back from the training field and speak to something that matters just as much as anything we do with a ball at our feet — the work you do on the inside.
This is a special summer. The FIFA World Cup is being hosted right here in the United States. That means the greatest players on the planet, the ones you have watched on screens and dreamed about becoming, will be competing in stadiums across this country. I want you to use that. Let it fuel something in you.
So here is the challenge I am putting to you this summer:
Reflect. Dream. Write it down:
Take time during this break to sit with yourself and honestly ask: Where am I right now? What kind of player have I been? What kind of player do I want to become? These are not easy questions, but they are the most important ones a developing player can ask. The best athletes in the world are not just physically gifted. They are self-aware. They know themselves. They study themselves.
Grab a journal (we provide one in club resources in playmetrics). It does not have to be formal or perfect. Write about a moment from this past season that challenged you. Write about what made you proud. Write about what you want to be different next year. And then dream big. As you watch the World Cup this summer, find a player who inspires you. Study the way they move, the decisions they make, the effort they pour into every moment. Pick someone you want to grow toward. That is your target. That is your north star.
What it means to be Kings Hammer:
Our game model is built around Relentless Action: constant drive, constant determination, pushing forward in every phase of the game. But Relentless Action is not just something that happens on the field. It is a mindset. It is how we approach growth. It means when you are handed a break, you do not simply switch off. You reflect, you set your sights higher, and you come back sharper.
We grow people. We grow players. We grow families, staff, and leaders. That is not a slogan. It is the foundation of everything we build here. The player profile we develop inside Kings Hammer is passionate about learning, proactive in taking responsibility, hardworking through the full length of every minute, and a decision-maker who understands the game. Those qualities do not take a vacation. They deepen during the moments when you slow down and think.
As you watch the World Cup, you are watching the highest expression of the principles we train every day: possession built with tenacity and effort, pressing with urgency to win the ball back, transitions seized with opportunity. You will see it at the highest level. Now connect it back to yourself. Where do you see yourself in that game? What role do you play? What version of you shows up when the moment is biggest?
Go into this summer with intention:
Rest. Recover. Celebrate this incredible moment for soccer in our country. But use the quiet moments to do the honest, important work of self-reflection. Journal it. Dream it. And walk back into preseason knowing exactly who you are and exactly who you are working to become.
That is the Kings Hammer standard. That is the Relentless Action we carry into every phase, including the ones that happen off the field.
Enjoy the summer. Soak in the World Cup. And come back hungry.
Go out there and bring the Relentless Action.
– Bronson Gambale, KH National Technical Director
GK Union Save of the Month
Closing down space & shutting down counter attacks! Our April GK Union Save of the Month winners put their quick thinking on display to keep the opponent off the score sheet! Congratulations to Sophia and Brian from KH Cincinnati on being selected as this month’s winners! Keep up the great work!
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.
WPSL Schedule
We have joined the WPSL for the summer and our 2026 WPSL Home Schedule is here! Join us at Southeastern University as we kick off our inaugural WPSL season and showcase some incredible talent from right here in our community. Come support local standouts, current college players, and rising talent as they compete this season. And yes… Coach Ysa AND Coach Ramsey will be taking the field too! We know so many of our girls will want to come out, cheer them on, and support the team.
Mark your calendars, bring your teammates, friends, and family, and help us create an amazing atmosphere for our WPSL ladies at home this season!
**$5 donation to enter game. All Donations will go to our Players Scholarship fund helping get more players in our community on the pitch.
Throwback
Anyone remember the “76 Lazers”?
This group of Lazers became the first Lakeland team to win a competitive State Title, helping pave the way for generations of soccer in our community. We’re proud of the deep roots and history soccer has in Lakeland, and we’d love to hear from those who remember these days. We’d love to hear your stories, memories, and see any photos from those early years of Lakeland soccer. Please send any old photos/stories from your early times with us at acorbett@kingshammer.com.
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
