Sarasota is unlike any other city its size in Florida. It has the Ringling Museum, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the Sarasota Opera, the Sarasota Ballet — institutions that make it one of the most culturally significant small cities in the American Southeast. At the same time, Sarasota County Schools serves over 42,000 students across 65 schools and ranks consistently among Florida’s top-performing school districts. Sarasota families don’t choose between arts and athletics. They expect both — and they expect both done well.
Sarasota is unlike any other city its size in Florida. It has the Ringling Museum, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the Sarasota Opera, the Sarasota Ballet — institutions that make it one of the most culturally significant small cities in the American Southeast. At the same time, Sarasota County Schools serves over 42,000 students across 65 schools and ranks consistently among Florida’s top-performing school districts. Sarasota families don’t choose between arts and athletics. They expect both — and they expect both done well.
Sarasota County is also a recognized sports destination — not just for tourism but for competitive youth development. The county is home to a dense network of youth athletic programs across every major sport. What it didn’t have, until Sarasota Archery Academy was founded, was a competitive, structured, state-level archery program based in the city itself. No commute to Bradenton. No drive to Venice. A competitive archery team in Sarasota, operating in Sarasota, competing across Florida and beyond.
Sarasota’s population is approximately 57,000 city residents, with Sarasota County as a whole approaching 477,000. The city’s median age of 49 reflects a community that spans generations — from established families in neighborhoods like Palmer Ranch, Gulf Gate, Fruitville, and the East Sarasota corridor to the younger families arriving with Sarasota County’s continued growth. Across all of these communities, families with competitive athletes are looking for programs that match Sarasota’s standard. That’s what we are.
Families in Bradenton drive to us. Families in Venice drive to us. Families from Lakewood Ranch and North Port make the trip because there is no other program of this caliber within reach. For Sarasota athletes, that drive doesn’t exist — practice is Monday and Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, right here in Sarasota. That accessibility matters. Competitive archery demands consistent practice, and consistent practice is easiest when your training facility is in your own city.
Sarasota Archery Academy was founded by Sarasota residents, coached by Sarasota residents, and built on the principle that southwest Florida deserved a competitive archery program worth driving to — let alone one worth staying for. Our four USA Archery certified coaches — including Head Coach Rob Gilbert, who holds the Level 3 NTS certification, USA Archery’s highest coaching credential — all live and work in this community. This is not a franchise program or a traveling coach. This is Sarasota’s team.
As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 41-3616783), we operate without paid staff. Every dollar from membership fees, donations, and sponsorships goes directly into the athletes — equipment, facility, and tournament travel. For Sarasota families accustomed to quality programs, the combination of elite coaching and nonprofit pricing is genuinely unusual. We exist to build athletes, not to build a business.
USA Archery target — indoor 18-meter 3-spot, outdoor 720-round. Athletes compete at Florida state, regional, and national USA Archery events through JOAD (Junior Olympic Archery Development).
ASA 3D field archery — Florida state qualifiers, the Florida ASA State Championship in Palatka, national ASA Pro/Am events. Shooter of the Year pursuit for serious 3D competitors.
SAA practices at 7524 Castle Dr, Sarasota, FL 34240, in eastern Sarasota near I-75. Practice runs Mondays and Thursdays 5 to 8 PM.
Yes. SAA holds tryouts year-round for archers ages 6 and up. The tryout focuses on coachability and readiness, not prior experience.
X-Ring (USA Archery indoor and outdoor) is $200/month. Upper 12 (ASA 3D) is $300/month. SAA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit; all four coaches are volunteers.
Two USA Archery Level 3 NTS-certified coaches (Rob Gilbert, Chad Henderson) plus two Level 2 coaches (Scott Reed, Tristan Towers).
USA Archery indoor 18-meter and outdoor 720-round (X-Ring), and ASA 3D field archery (Upper 12). Athletes can train in one or both.
Yes. Sarasota Archery Academy is Sarasota's only competitive, tryout-based archery team. The academy fields athletes in USA Archery (indoor 18m and outdoor 720-round) and ASA 3D archery circuits at the Florida state level. Head coach Rob Gilbert holds a USA Archery Level 3 NTS certification. Practice is Monday and Thursday 5–8 PM in Sarasota. The team is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 41-3616783).
Sarasota Archery Academy is based in Sarasota, Florida. Practice sessions are held Monday and Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM year-round. The team serves athletes from Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Lakewood Ranch, North Port, and throughout southwest Florida.
Sarasota Archery Academy offers two competitive programs in Sarasota: the X-Ring Program (USA Archery indoor and outdoor target competition, $200/month) and the Upper 12's Program (ASA 3D field archery, $300/month). Both programs compete at the Florida state level under Level 3 NTS-certified coaching. The academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with an all-volunteer coaching staff.
Athletes drive in from across the region. Find your city's page for local details.
Year-round training in Sarasota. Tryout-based admission. All skill levels welcome.