Florida Youth Archery Team — Competing Statewide
From Southwest Florida to the National Stage
Sarasota Archery Academy is one of Florida’s only fully volunteer-run competitive archery programs for youth and adult athletes. We field competitors in USA Archery and ASA 3D circuits across the state — from local qualifiers to the Florida State Championship.
Florida youth archers compete through two primary circuits: USA Archery (Olympic-style indoor 18-meter and outdoor 720-round events, governed by the U.S. Olympic Committee’s national governing body) and ASA 3D archery (life-sized 3D animal targets at unmarked distances, with the marquee Florida ASA State Championship held annually in Palatka). Sarasota Archery Academy is a 501(c)(3) competitive youth team based in Sarasota that fields athletes in both circuits, drawing members from Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Lakewood Ranch, and North Port for Monday/Thursday evening practices.
Competitive youth archery in Florida is a dynamic, growing sport with multiple governing bodies and competitive formats. Young archers in the state compete through two primary circuits: USA Archery’s traditional indoor and outdoor formats, and the Archery Shooters Association’s 3D competitive circuit. Sarasota Archery Academy participates actively in both, sending athletes to state qualifiers, Florida State Championship events, and regional competitions that draw competitors from across the state.
Our program draws athletes from throughout southwest Florida — Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Lakewood Ranch, North Port, and surrounding communities. Unlike many team programs that require travel from across the state, we’re conveniently located in Sarasota with Monday and Thursday evening practice sessions. Yet we compete alongside the best youth archery teams in Florida, qualifying athletes for state championships and competing in some of the most respected tournaments in the Southeast. Whether you’re a young archer just beginning competitive archery or an experienced athlete looking for a structured, volunteer-led program, SAA offers the coaching, structure, and competitive opportunities that serious archers need.
Competitive Archery in Florida: What You Need to Know
Florida has a growing competitive archery scene with multiple governing bodies and formats. Here’s how it works.
USA Archery in Florida
USA Archery governs the traditional archery formats in Florida, including JOAD (Junior Olympic Archery Development) youth programs. Athletes compete in indoor 18-meter rounds and outdoor 720-round tournaments. The state hosts an annual Florida State Championship for both indoor and outdoor divisions, with separate youth age divisions from 8 and under through 18. These competitions follow Olympic-style rules and shooting formats that emphasize precision and consistency.
ASA 3D Archery in Florida
The Archery Shooters Association (ASA) runs the 3D circuit in Florida, where archers shoot at life-sized animal targets from varying distances and angles. The Florida ASA circuit includes multiple state qualifiers throughout the year, culminating in the Florida ASA State Championship held annually in Palatka. Competitors earn Shooter of the Year points throughout the season. ASA 3D archery is dynamic, challenging, and appeals to archers who prefer shooting in outdoor, tournament settings.
How Florida Teams Compete
Competitive youth archery in Florida operates through both individual entry and team-based structures. Many archers compete as members of organized teams with certified coaching staff. Team coaches hold USA Archery certifications and provide structured training, nutrition guidance, mental preparation, and competition support. Being part of a team provides accountability, training consistency, and the camaraderie of working toward collective goals while competing individually.
Florida’s Only Fully Volunteer-Run Competitive Archery Academy
No salaries. No paid staff. Every dollar goes into the athletes.
Sarasota Archery Academy was founded by archers, for archers. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a simple mission: develop disciplined, focused competitive athletes using proven coaching methods and a zero-overhead model. Our coaching staff — Rob Gilbert and Chad Henderson (both USA Archery Level 3 NTS certified), Scott Reed and Tristan Towers (both Level 2 certified) — are 100% volunteers. They donate their time, expertise, and passion to the program.
We run two distinct competitive programs: the X-Ring Program (USA Archery) and the Upper 12’s Program (ASA 3D). Athletes ages 8 and up can compete in either program or both. Practice happens Monday and Thursday evenings, 5–8 PM, at our facility in Sarasota. The program structure is built for serious athletes who want rigorous coaching, structured competition schedules, and the support of a team.
What sets SAA apart across Florida is our commitment to keeping costs low while maintaining world-class coaching. We don’t pay administrative overhead, director salaries, or facility rental — we operate lean and efficient. That means every membership dollar directly supports coaching, tournament travel, equipment support, and athlete development. If you’re in southwest Florida and looking for a competitive youth archery team that operates with transparency, integrity, and real expertise, SAA is your program.
Two Competitive Programs. One Standard.
X-Ring Program
The X-Ring Program competes in USA Archery’s JOAD youth division, focusing on indoor 18-meter and outdoor 720-round formats. Athletes train for precision, consistency, and mental toughness across the full archery calendar. We compete in Florida State Championships, regional qualifiers, and other USA Archery-sanctioned events throughout the state. Program members receive structured coaching, competition schedules, and development plans tailored to each archer’s goals and experience level.
Upper 12’s Program
Our Upper 12’s Program specializes in ASA 3D archery, where athletes shoot at life-sized animal targets in outdoor tournament settings. Members compete in Florida ASA circuit qualifiers throughout the year and aim for the Florida ASA State Championship in Palatka. Archers work toward top Shooter of the Year rankings and develop skills that translate across multiple competition formats. This program emphasizes adaptability, decision-making, and performing under pressure.
Both Programs
Many of our most serious athletes compete in both the X-Ring and Upper 12’s programs. This dual-program approach allows for maximum competitive exposure, skill development across different formats, and the chance to pursue multiple state championships each year. Dual program athletes receive custom scheduling and coaching that maximizes their training efficiency while preventing burnout.
Florida Tournaments & Circuits We Shoot
Sarasota Archery Academy athletes compete throughout Florida in sanctioned tournaments on both the USA Archery and ASA 3D circuits. The Florida competitive archery calendar is active year-round, with state qualifiers, regional championships, and invitational events distributed across the state. Our athletes travel to compete alongside youth archery teams from Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, Naples, and across Florida, building experience against some of the state’s most competitive archers.
USA Archery Circuit
- Florida Indoor State ChampionshipAnnual indoor competition
- Florida Outdoor State ChampionshipAnnual outdoor competition
- Regional QualifiersMultiple qualifiers statewide
- JOAD National QualifierPathway to national competition
ASA 3D Circuit
- Florida ASA State QualifiersMultiple events statewide
- Florida ASA State ChampionshipHeld in Palatka, Florida
- Shooter of the Year SeriesYear-long points accumulation
- ASA National ChampionshipsTop athletes compete nationally
Serving Southwest Florida — and Competing Across the State
Sarasota Archery Academy draws youth archers from Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Lakewood Ranch, North Port, Osprey, Nokomis, and throughout the Sarasota and Manatee county area. Our convenient Monday and Thursday evening practice schedule means young archers don’t have to travel far for quality coaching. Yet we compete statewide — our athletes regularly travel to qualifiers and championships across Florida, from Jacksonville to Naples, competing alongside some of the state’s most serious youth archery programs. If you’re looking for a competitive youth archery team in the Sarasota or Bradenton area, or anywhere in southwest Florida, we want to hear from you.
Florida Youth Archery — Common Questions
Join One of Florida’s Top Competitive Archery Teams
Tryouts are open to youth and adult archers across southwest Florida. Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Lakewood Ranch — wherever you’re from, if you’re serious about competition, we want to hear from you. Apply for a tryout or reach out to discuss whether Sarasota Archery Academy is the right fit for your archery goals.