This Thanksgiving, our hearts are full.

As we head into Thanksgiving, we can’t help but pause and reflect on what has been built here in Sarasota, together, as a family, as a community, and as a program driven by belief, integrity, and relentless effort to be better than traditional club soccer.

When we launched DME Academy in Sarasota, we knew the path wouldn’t be easy. Building something different, something disruptive, in the world of youth soccer is never simple. We faced the obstacles you’d expect: the politics of the youth game, the noise of traditional club soccer, the negativity that always surfaces when change begins to threaten the status quo. And yet, through every challenge, we kept our heads down, stayed true to our values, and pushed forward, despite what a select few haters post anonymously.

Today, when we look at what DME has grown into in such a short amount of time, it’s humbling. It’s energizing. And above all, it fills us with gratitude. Seeing DME worn throughout our area makes us smile because what we are all building together is bigger than we even realize.

To our coaching staff, you are the heartbeat of this program. Your passion, your standards, your character, and the way you show up every single day are unmatched. We genuinely believe we have the best collection of coaches in the business, coaches who not only teach the game but mentor, guide, and inspire the next generation of hard working leaders. Thank you for investing in these kids and for believing in the vision long before the results were visible.

Launching the DME Academy Sarasota commuter school has been one of the most rewarding endeavors of our lives. To our starting 11 (now 12) student-athletes: you are pioneers. You chose a path rooted in ambition, discipline, and effort, one that very few your age have the courage to pursue. Every day, you prove why this model works. Thank you for trusting us and for helping us build something special in Sarasota that is unlike anything else in the region.

To every player who trains, competes, sweats, struggles, improves, and grinds with us—thank you. You are the backbone of DME. Your work ethic, commitment, and willingness to embrace higher standards are the reason DME is not just a club, but a movement. The reason we are quickly being recognized as the top soccer program in our area is simple: you show up with purpose, every single day.

We see you. We believe in you. And we are incredibly proud of you.

Parents and families in support, we thank you for choosing us, believing in us, and helping create the culture that makes DME different. Your trust means everything.

The journey is still young. The mission is still growing. And the standard is still rising.
We will continue to build, not through shortcuts or politics, but through, hard work, passion, integrity, development, education, accountability, and genuine care for the athletes we serve. We are not perfect. We will make mistakes but we will always outwork the competition because we don’t do this for a paycheck. This isn’t our job, but it is our passion. We will continue to offer something better and more meaningful for long-term growth of students and athletes that buy in and join the DME movement.

Thank you to everyone who has helped shape DME Academy, Sarasota into what it is today, and what it will continue to become. We are not slowing down.

With gratitude,
Jared & Paula Antista
Owners, DME Academy Sarasota