EMPOWERED ATHLETES
Where girls build confidence, leadership, and skill through sport.
At Empowered Athletes, we believe sports are powerful tools for developing strong, confident, and capable young women.
Our camps are designed to empower girls through movement, mentorship, and meaningful experiences that go far beyond the field.
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Led by Coach Cole Richardson, Lakewood Ranch High School’s head varsity girls soccer coach, our programs are rooted in over a decade of youth coaching expertise, a passion for leadership, and a belief in the strength of the next generation of female athletes.
What's Your Favorite Part of Camp?

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2025 Session Dates
2026 Summer Registration opens in February. Get on the Interest List to be alerted when we open registration Camp. It fills up very quickly!
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2025 SUMMER CAMP OFFERINGS:
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All Girls Sports Camp
Incoming 1st-8th Graders
June 16-19
@Lakewood Ranch High School
9:00AM - 2:00PM
-WAITLIST ONLY-
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Coaches-In-Training (CIT) Camp
Incoming 9th-12th Graders
June 16-19
@Lakewood Ranch High School
8:00AM - 3:00PM
-WAITLIST ONLY-
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Incoming 6th-12th Graders
July 21-24
@Lakewood Ranch High School
9:00AM - 2:00PM
-WAITLIST ONLY-​
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2025-2026 WINTER CAMP:
TBA
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2026 SUMMER CAMP OFFERINGS:
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All Girls Sports Camp
Incoming 1st-8th Graders
9:00AM - 2:00PM
June 15-18 @ LRHS
TBA @ John H. Marble Rec Center
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Coaches-In-Training (CIT) Camp
Incoming 9th-12th Graders
8:00AM - 3:00PM
June 15-18 @ LRHS
TBA @ John H. Marble Rec Center
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Incoming 6th-12th Graders
9:00AM - 2:00PM
July 20-23 @ LRHS
TBA @ John H. Marble Rec Center
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**PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE FULLY RELIANT ON LAKEWOOD RANCH HIGH SCHOOL FOR THOSE CAMPS, AND THE DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO THE COUNTY SCHEDULING MAINTENANCE OR FLOOR WAXING. THIS IS OUT OF OUR CONTROL. Thank you for understanding.​
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WHY EMPOWERED ATHLETES?
Because every girl deserves a space to grow as an athlete, as a leader, and as herself.
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Empowered Athletes was created to do more than teach sports skills. We’re here to help girls build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging through positive, intentional coaching.
Our camps give girls of all levels the opportunity to try new things, improve their game, and discover just how powerful they really are.
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Each of our camps offers something different, but they’re all rooted in the same purpose:
Confidence Comes First
Whether they’re learning how to dribble for the first time or leading a group as a CIT, every girl is encouraged to show up bravely and be herself. We prioritize effort, celebrate progress, and create a judgment-free space where confidence can grow.
Skill-Driven, Fun-Focused
From multi-sport play to technical indoor soccer training, our sessions are structured to build real athletic skill without the pressure of play time. Girls leave our camps stronger, faster, and more excited about being active.
Leadership at Every Level
Leadership isn’t just for older athletes. In every camp, we create opportunities for girls to take initiative, work as a team, and speak up. In our Coaches-in-Training program, teens take it even further, earning certifications and coaching experience they can carry into high school and beyond.
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An All-Girls Community That Lifts Each Other Up
There’s power in an all-girls space. Our campers feel safe to try, fail, lead, and cheer each other on without fear of judgment. It’s not just about building athletic skills, it’s about building friendships, community, and self-worth.
WHAT DO I NEED FOR CAMP?
We will be indoors majority of the time. All Sports Camp has one or two morning sessions outdoors.
MUST HAVES/WEARS:
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A pair of sneakers (indoor soccer shoes recommended for soccer camp)
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Athletic shirt and appropriate length shorts
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Water bottle
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Hair pulled back
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No Jewelry
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RECOMMENDED:
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Sunscreen
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Hat
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Sunglasses
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Small Towel
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IN REGARDS TO FOOD:
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School lunch will be offered for FREE through the Manatee County School System (except on June 19). We do not know the menu ahead of time, however it is usually chicken / mac and cheese type of items.
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Concessions will be for sale at our camp. We will be offering full lunches, snacks, and drinks for purchase. Please buy CONCESSION CREDIT as we will NOT be handling cash on site.​​
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We pride ourselves in offering healthy options that are typically free of food dyes and minimal added sugars. We do not sell candy.​
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You are always welcome to BRING YOUR OWN lunch that does not require refrigeration or heating. Be sure to label lunch bag with your name.
ABOUT YOUR COACHES

Meet Coach Richardson
Founder and Director of Empowered Athletes, Lakewood Ranch High Girls Varsity Soccer Coach, USSF C License, USATF Level 1
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Other Experience:
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UF DI Track & Field Athlete - Hurdles
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9 Years as Head Varsity HS Soccer Coach
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5- Sport Letterman
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USL2 Director of Operations
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FC Sarasota Competitive Soccer Coach
Empowed Athletes is a Sports Camp for Girls, by Girls. We believe representation matters - you have to see it to be it!
Camp Director, Coach Richardson, believes we need more women coaching girls teams, so she created the Coaches-in-Training program, that guides and teaches high school athletes how to coach. The selected group of CITs do a fabulous job working with our youth athletes under the supervision of Coach Richardson, who has over a decade of coaching experience, leadership experience, and licensure in youth athletics.
We bring in guest coaches often; over the years we have had current and former Division I athletes & collegiate coaches assisting with our camps as well.
MORE ABOUT COACH RICH
COLE RICHARDSON, AKA COACH RICHARDSON
Cole founded Empowered Athletes in 2021, determined to give girls equal opportunity and equal access to sports. As a multi-sport athlete growing up, Cole saw the value of cross-training first hand. She went on to pursue Track & Field in college, competing at the University of Florida and Wingate University, where she still holds the school record in the 400m Hurdles. She went back to her first love (soccer) and began coaching right out of university in 2016. After years of coaching and professional licensure, she is now aiming to close the gaps for female athletes, through exposure and high level training for soccer and beyond. She is also the Head Girls Varsity at Lakewood Ranch High School, where she led her team to District and Regional Championship Titles, and a State Final Four appearance in just her second season as Head Coach in 2025. She was named 2025 Coach of the Year by Herald Tribune Sports, and a Top 3 Finalist for the 2025 USA TODAY SPORTS AWARDS Coach of the Year.
