Investing in Female Leaders On and Off the Field
DME Academy's Unique Approach to Empowering Female Soccer Athletes From Our Area
It's A New Day...
DME Academy in Sarasota is doing things differently, introducing a new approach that is designed for committed and passionate female athletes in our community. Over the past three years, we have built a reputation for developing fundamentally sound, tactically aware, and culturally strong teams that embody a winning mentality.
It is widely known that in the female sports landscape, many athletes tend to prioritize friendships over skill development, leading to scattered talent across various teams, clubs and regions. While we believe youth sports offers the perfect opportunity to create life-long friendships, we cater to the athletes that truly want to develop and pursue their next level. Additionally, more than 45% of girls quit sports by age 14 — a rate that is double that of boys. This alarming statistic highlights a need for change, and DME Academy is here to provide a solution with a unique approach that offers the best in training, exposure, pathways, personal growth, league play and care.
The Girls Plan
Younger Leagues
"Jared and the DME program is making great strides to bring top coaches and playing opportunities for their girl’s program. They are always looking to level up. I am thankful that they have allowed me to come in and share my knowledge of the game and help mentor these young ladies."
- Jennifer Kirby, USL Academy & Scout
The Training (what to expect to learn)
Team Approach: We play a possession-based game, focusing on fast-paced ball movement to unbalance the opposition and create offensive opportunities. While we aim to impose our style, we adapt tactics based on the level of play and game situations, sometimes taking a more direct or pragmatic approach. Our strength lies in adaptability and teaching players to read the game. We’re opportunistic, working to regain possession in the attacking half with high pressure and then attacking open spaces with pace and numbers.
Technical Dominance
25% of sessions focused on technical individual player development
Unbalancing Opposition
Through education, patterns of play and positional responsibility edu
Attacking Principles
Master 1v1s with comfort and attacking goal with numbers, speed and support.
Did You Know?
In 2026 we're introducing session blocks during training 1/2 times per month for PDP (positional development plan) work. This time is used to help the player improves at their specific positions.
Here's What The Research Shows & How DME Academy is Tackling the Alarming Dropout Rate of Girls in Sports
Our mission is to combat the challenges that girls face in sports, including:
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Low Body Confidence: Research from Dove and Nike reveals that low body confidence is a significant factor influencing why girls drop out of sports. At DME Academy, we focus on boosting self-esteem and empowering athletes to embrace their bodies, both on and off the field through intense training and educational webinars with leaders in the space.
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Lack of Access or Resources: Girls are less likely to have equal access to sports opportunities and pathways. We are committed to bridging this gap by providing access, training, and resources that empower all athletes, regardless of background. As a father of two boys and two girls, DME Owner, Jared Antista works to support the girls on an equal playing field, often over investing in coaches and supplementals.
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Social Stigma: Societal pressures and stereotypes often influence girls' participation in sports, discouraging them from pursuing athletic endeavors. At DME Academy, we actively work to challenge these norms and create an inclusive environment where girls feel supported and encouraged to thrive. Through an active social media presence, player and team pages, we are proud of our girls program and will continue to be.
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Low-Quality Programs: Many girls struggle to find high-quality sports programs that cater to their unique needs. Many local clubs don't push female athletes enough and often land on coaches with lesser resumes and or interest levels. We focus on offering top-tier coaching, training, and development to help our athletes reach their full potential. Just look at our coaching roster!
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Negative Attitudes Towards Sports: Negative experiences and attitudes towards sports can discourage girls from continuing their athletic pursuits. Our goal is to change this narrative by fostering a positive, growth-oriented environment that encourages girls to see sports as a lifelong passion and an avenue for success in life. Our Girls Leadership Summit this August is a perfect example of an event built to show pathways and potential.
The Leadership Summit For DME Girls (August)
Female athletes can participate in a three-day preseason camp and leadership program designed to foster growth both on and off the field at GSI in Venice. Featuring special guest leaders and experts in the field, the athletes will compete on the field while collaborating off it to develop the next generation of female leaders. With a mix of mindset training, soccer discussions, inspirational sessions, and entrepreneurship, this program is designed to empower female athletes to unlock their full potential and make a lasting impact.