A Legacy of Excellence
Our mission is to produce athletes who can play basketball at the highest competitive levels and to cultivate strong students and well-rounded citizens. The principle of teamwork is the foundation of all we do and shapes our comprehensive approach to inspiring self-confidence, athletic excellence, academic achievement, and leadership in the youth we serve. Our basketball program is one of the longest-running and most successful basketball programs in Central Florida. Each year we provide approximately 40-75 student-athletes with an elite travel team experience, academic enrichment, and educational assistance. At the Florida Athletic Academy, our goal is simple, we want to give students the best opportunity to succeed. The program is planned and implemented within an atmosphere of confidence so that parents will have the comfort of knowing that they can trust the future of their child with our organization.
Need for Our Programs
Florida Athletics Academy believes all kids should have access to sports activities and extracurriculars regardless of socioeconomic status. According to The Aspen Institute’s recent Project Play study, physically active kids in adolescence have better health and economic outcomes in the future. Active youth are 15% more likely to go to college, have 8% higher earnings in the future, and tend to be more productive at work. Participation in sports also leads to higher self-esteem and feelings of greater self-worth.
A 2020 Benefits of Youth Sports report published by the PCSFN Science Board also extolls sports’ positive impact on participants. Participating in sports as a youth encourages greater participation in athletics and establishing good habits as an adult. Team sports also lead to better leadership qualities, improved life skills, and better teamwork. Unfortunately, young adults living in poverty often do not have the ability to participate in extra-curricular activities, including sports. In Central Florida, 1 in 4 kids is born into poverty, and their guardians’ financial situation should not prohibit them from participating in impactful athletic activities.
Our Team
Jairo Gallimore
CEO/Executive Director of Basketball FAAKINGS Coach
Jairo Gallimore has over 15 years of experience as a head and assistant coach in the grassroots basketball level and competitive/AAU scenes. He started the Florida Athletic Academy and has worked as the Director of Basketball since 2008, running competitive leagues and clinics throughout central Florida. Jairo is currently overseeing student-athlete recruitment and player development, as well as playing a significant role in mentoring student-athletes.
Prior to forming the Florida Athletic Academy, Jairo held coaching roles at Orlando Lutheran church and First Academy, leading teams to successful seasons. Jairo was a basketball student at Webster University, where he graduated with a degree in Business Management.
In his role, Jairo oversees the basketball program for its youth and high school student-athletes, as well as its camps and training programs for ages 7 through 18.
Education / Accreditations
- B.S. in Business Management, Webster University College, May 2008
Experience
- Assistant Varsity coach at Orlando Lutheran Academy Men’s Basketball (2007-2008)
- Head coach at Orlando Lutheran Academy 9th grade Men’s Basketball (2007-2008)
- Assistant Varsity coach at First Academy Women’s Basketball (2018-2020)
- USA Basketball GOLD Certified Coach
- Elite Skills Coach
Michael Senay
Director of Operations
Ayanis “YaYa” Dennis
Associate Director - Select/National Teams - Coach HS Division
Ayanis, also known as “Coach Yaya,” has over 18 years of experience working with children of all ages. She has over ten years of coaching youth basketball and training athletes as well. She has experience coaching high school Girl’s basketball in South Florida, Head Coach of the FAA Kings 16u and 18u Boys team, and now is the Hd Coach and Operates the Maryland Athletic Academy organization.
She received her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Florida A&M University and her Masters degree in Sports Management from Liberty University. She is very knowledgeable about basketball and knows how to get the best from her players.
Education / Accreditations
- University of Virginia Women’s Basketball (2000-04)
Experience
- Assistant Coach Providence College (2010-12)
- Assistant Coach Siena Women’s Basketball (2012-21)
- Elite Skills Coach
Dr. Judith Fletcher
Sr. Administrator
Dr. Judith Fletcher is a Certified Empowerment Coach who focuses on professional development, motivational speaking, and group and one-on-one coaching. Drawing upon her background in Counseling, Professional Development, 15 years of experience in non-profit development and management, and a lifetime of experience in leadership and coaching, Dr. Judith has a unique appreciation of mindset and the power that it has to change patterns of one’s behavior. Throughout all her work, Dr. Judith focuses on building strengths and minimizing weaknesses through feedback, self-discovery, and detailed action plans.
Experience
Dr. Judith works with executives and entrepreneurs within organizations and corporations of all sizes across a range of industries. She helps companies with their leadership development by providing team skill-building workshops, management training, communication skills, mentoring programs, and comprehensive feedback reviews.