Forever the First: DME Academy Sarasota’s Inaugural Female Student-Athletes
May 18, 2026
DME Academy Sarasota’s Inaugural Girls Class Sets the Standard for the Future
Year one is officially in the books for the inaugural girls academic and athletic program at DME Academy, Sarasota, and the first group of female student-athletes to walk through the doors helped lay the foundation for what the future of the program can become.
Harper, Ceci, Adi, Colette, and Yani will forever be remembered as the first girls to attend the full-time academy and performance environment powered by SAI and located at Global Sports Institute.
What started as a bold vision, quickly transformed into a culture built around hard work, growth, accountability, and ambition.
Throughout the school year, the girls trained three hours per day, Monday through Friday, balancing elite-level on-field sessions, strength and conditioning, recovery education, tactical film study, and academics, all while continuing to compete with their club teams in the evenings.
The growth across the group was undeniable.
From technical ability and tactical understanding to confidence, professionalism, fitness, and game IQ, each player took massive strides over the course of the year. The environment challenged them daily, asking them not only to become better soccer players, but more complete student-athletes.
And they answered the call.
“To be able to experience this with this awesome group of girls in our inaugural season and for them to learn with us, grow with us, and really take a chance on us has been incredible,” said Jared Antista. “To see them all grow has been special.”
“Most of the girls didn’t even know how to lift when we first got in there. Now, what they can squat, how they take care of themselves in the gym, how they handle recovery, how they prepare Monday through Friday with game film, recovery work, and intense field sessions, it’s night and day. Add in maintaining academic standards on top of all of that, we just couldn’t be more thankful for this group and their families for taking a chance on us.”
The year was not just about wins and losses. It was about building habits. Learning discipline. Understanding preparation. Becoming accountable teammates. Learning how to compete with intensity while still embracing the joy of the game.
Coach JT saw that evolution firsthand every single day.
“These girls worked their butts off over the course of the year and improved as the year went on,” said JT. “I think one of the biggest learning experiences for them was understanding how to continue to grow and try to become professional in their habits and approach. It’s not easy, they are young but its doable.”
“Of course, we want them to have fun, laugh, and enjoy the process. But when it was time to buckle up and get to work, they always rose to the occasion, maybe after a little prompt sometimes,” he added with a laugh. “We couldn’t be happier with this group of female athletes that truly became trailblazers in our environment.”
Now, the momentum continues.
All five girls will be returning next year, re-enrolling across DME Academy’s Venice and Lakewood Ranch locations as the program continues to expand its reach and impact across the region.
And year two is expected to be even bigger.
With growing interest, expanded facilities, elevated performance programming, and a proven first-year model, DME Academy, Sarasota is continuing to position itself as one of the most unique developmental environments for driven student-athletes in the area.
The inaugural girls group did more than participate in a program.
They helped build it.
They created the standard. They embraced the grind. And they proved what is possible when ambitious athletes commit fully to development — academically, athletically, and personally.
