Next Level Academy in Fort Myers builds girls-only basketball league for SWFL

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — Girls' basketball is growing locally after athletes say opportunities to train and compete year-round can be hard to find. Next Level Academy in Fort Myers is creating a space just for them with free weekly training sessions and plans for one of the area's first girls-only developmental leagues.

The sounds are familiar—basketballs bouncing, shoes squeaking, coaches teaching—but something new is taking shape.

"We saw there was a big void in what was available, a lot of girls were kind of spread out throughout the entire area, played in different spots, so to us, if we could just localize it, put it in one place, we thought it would pop off and do really well," said Jeff Faulk, co-owner of Next Level Academy.

Every Thursday, dozens of girls fill the court for free basketball training. The academy's co-owners say they've seen the disparity firsthand.

"We sit in a lot of gyms, and we see the disparity, and you know, the equity issues, so we want to create a place where everyone's welcome to come play," said George Negron, co-owner of Next Level Academy.

The response confirms what they've believed all along. Athletes say the program is already making a difference.

"I'm so thankful to see just the competition, and to have other women push me to become a better player, and to be able to be a part of other girls watching them, where they started, and where they're continuing to go," said Amrey Stockeland, an NIL signee at Next Level Academy.

While the league is still getting started, these athletes already see what it could become. They hope the program will help elevate girls' basketball in the state.

"I really hope that in the state of Florida that it gets more hype of how the NBA and colleges for the boys," said Makiyah Stephens, a basketball player at Next Level Academy.

For many, the academy offers something they've been searching for—a place where girls don't have to travel far for quality training. The convenience is a game-changer for local athletes.

"I know a lot of places I have to travel to are like an hour and 30 minutes away, so it's nice that there's something that's close by that we can go practice at," said Lily Erickson, a basketball player at Next Level Academy.

It's a place where they can create opportunities for themselves. The athletes say the program proves they can compete at the same level as anyone.

"We have something unique about us, because we can do stuff like boys can do too," said Isabela Beauchamp, a basketball player at Next Level Academy.