Special Pops Tennis

Name

Special Pops Tennis

Legal name

Special Pops Tennis, Inc.

Website

https://specialpopstennis.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive Sports Services / Nonprofit Adaptive Tennis Programs

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Adaptive & Para-Sport Training Programs (MPAKAJAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Adaptive & Para-Sport Coaching (HSADAEAM), Single-Sport Skill Academies (Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, etc.) (MPAKAJAB)

Keywords

• Adaptive tennis instruction
• Intellectual disability programs
• Special needs athletics
• Adaptive sports nonprofit
• Tennis training services

Headquarters

HQ city

Roswell

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices19 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time, monthly, quarterly, and annual donations from individuals. Processing available online via QGiv platform or by check through US Mail.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: Sponsorship donations from businesses including logo placement, promotional items, event signage, and in-kind contributions.
3. In-Kind Donations: Gift cards from restaurants, signage design and printing, graphic design services, T-shirt printing, water and sport drinks, nutritional snacks, tennis balls, and promotional items.
4. Program Fees (Tournament): Minimal fees for tournament play to cover entry fees, transportation, meals, and lodging. Training and equipment remain free.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Special Pops Tennis provides free adaptive tennis instruction, league play, and tournament competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities across 18 training locations in the Greater Atlanta metro area. Programs are delivered year-round through Spring and Fall 8-week Training Academies, the SPUD (Special Populations Unified Doubles) Tennis League, and tournament events including Special Olympics Georgia Summer Games, the annual Fall Classic, and the Spring Slam. All instruction, adaptive equipment, and court time are provided at no cost to athletes aged 6 and above, with a six-level progressive curriculum (Level 1 through Level 6) guiding development from beginner basics to high-performance competitive play.

Product overview

Special Pops Tennis is a nonprofit adaptive tennis program organization that offers a unified portfolio of services for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The core offerings include Training Academies (Spring/Fall 8-week sessions at 18+ metro Atlanta locations), the SPUD Tennis League (unified doubles league), and Tournament Competition (including Special Olympics events and the annual Fall Classic). Supporting offerings include events like Spring Slam and Swing for a Cause, educational resources through Volunteer Corner coaching materials and video libraries, and regional programs such as the Fayette Chapter. All programs are provided free of charge to participants, with equipment, court time, and instruction included.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Training Academies Year-round adaptive tennis instruction programs including Spring and Fall Training Academies offering 8-week sessions at 18+ locations throughout the Greater Atlanta area, designed for athletes with intellectual disabilities of all skill levels from beginners to competitive tournament players. Provided completely free of charge including instruction, adaptive equipment (rackets, balls), and court time.
• SPUD (Special Populations Unified Doubles) Tennis League Adaptive doubles tennis league formed in 2008 where athletes are paired with traditional tennis players (unified partners) in competitive team matches, typically running July through August with team shirts, medals, and end-of-season playoff activities. Designed for athletes with intellectual disabilities and community tennis players.
• Tournament Competition Tournament play for athletes demonstrating moderate competency skill levels, including participation in Special Olympics Georgia Summer Games, Fall Classic Adaptive Tennis Tournament, USTA National Adaptive Championships, and Xperience Tennis Invitational Tournament. Athletes are placed using the Special Olympics North America Rating System.
• Spring Slam Spring event bringing athletes, families, and volunteers together for a full day of inclusive competition, teamwork, and celebration. Hosted by Special Pops Tennis as part of its annual event calendar.
• Fall Classic Adaptive Tennis Tournament Annual adaptive tennis tournament bringing together athletes of all levels to compete, connect, and celebrate the spirit of Special Pops Tennis. The 18th Annual Fall Classic in 2023 drew 111 athletes and 225+ volunteers from nine states. Registration typically opens mid-July for the following year's event.
• Swing for a Cause Annual charity round robin tennis event held at TPC Sugarloaf Tennis Center featuring three timed doubles matches with rotating partners, limited to 36 players with event t-shirts, raising funds directly for Special Pops Tennis programs.
• Fayette Chapter Program Special Pops Tennis initiative in Fayette County offering 7-week Fall and Spring sessions plus a 5-week Match Play Program for advanced athletes ages 12-21 at Peachtree City Tennis Center, currently serving 153 athletes with donated court time. Delivered in partnership with Fayette County public high schools (Sandy Creek, McIntosh, Whitewater, Starr's Mill, Fayette County) and special needs schools (Clearwater Academy, Joseph Sams).

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving 600+ individuals with intellectual disabilities across 18 locations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• USTA SoutherncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogo sponsor and primary tennis association partner. Special Pops is a registered Community Tennis Association of USTA and recognized as the primary CTA in Georgia for teaching tennis to players with special needs. Executive Director serves as Chairman of USTA Southern Section's Special Populations Sub-Committee.
• Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccredited agency for Special Olympics Georgia and the only tennis training arm for many local SOGA-accredited agencies. Programs follow SOGA eligibility rules. Executive Director serves on Special Olympics North America Development Committee.
• LifeTime TenniscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for major tournaments including Fall Classic and Spring Slam. Provides facilities and court time for training academies. SPT logo sponsor.
• Country Club of RoswellcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTraining academy location and annual charity Pro Am event host. Donates court time and facilities. Portion of Pro Am proceeds donated to SPT.
• Rotary Club of AlpharettaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity service organization providing support and donations to SPT programs.
• ALTA FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAtlanta Lawn Tennis Association foundation supporting tennis development. Marcy Hirshberg began volunteering through ALTA Foundation in 1990s.
• 680TheFanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAtlanta sports radio station, logo sponsor supporting SPT visibility.
• Cobb-EMCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCobb County electric membership corporation, logo sponsor providing community support.
• Brenau UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining academy location at Brenau University in Gainesville (Hall County). University donates court facilities for athlete training.
• Peachtree City Tennis CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFayette Chapter venue. Court time generously donated free of charge. Programs serve students from multiple Fayette County schools.
• WilsonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTennis equipment manufacturer, logo sponsor providing in-kind equipment support.
• GatorademinorGTM or Marketing PartnerSports beverage brand, logo sponsor providing hydration products for events.
• AquafinaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBottled water brand, logo sponsor providing hydration for athletes.
• Fred's BBQminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal restaurant, logo sponsor providing in-kind food donations for events.
• Georgia Center for NonprofitsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembership organization for Georgia nonprofits. Provides resources and advocacy for SPT operations.
• Atlanta OpenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional tennis tournament. SPT athletes serve as ambassadors at Media Day events, promoting adaptive tennis visibility.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Achilles International: Nonprofit enabling athletes with disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics including running and triathlon. Comparable adaptive sports nonprofit model with volunteer-driven delivery and chapter-based structure.
• iCan Shine: Adaptive sports nonprofit focused on teaching individuals with disabilities to ride bicycles and participate in other sports. Comparable nonprofit model serving similar intellectual/developmental disability populations through structured sports instruction programs.

Others

• Life Time Tennis (Life Time Fitness): National tennis and fitness operator that serves as Special Pops' host venue for tournaments and is a core training location partner. Provides facility infrastructure enabling Special Pops' program delivery and is a logo sponsor.

Broad incumbents

• USTA Foundation National Adaptive Tennis: The national adaptive tennis program of the USTA Foundation - Special Pops is a registered Community Tennis Association of USTA and serves a similar constituency across a much broader U.S. footprint. Operates as a funder/credentialing body that Special Pops engages with at the national level.
• Easterseals: Large national nonprofit serving people with disabilities through a wide range of programs including adaptive recreation. Competes with Special Pops for donor dollars and serves overlapping populations, though with much broader service scope.
• Move United (formerly Disabled Sports USA): National umbrella organization for adaptive sports in the U.S. operating community-based programs across multiple sports. Comparable in serving people with disabilities through sport, though broader in scope than Special Pops' tennis-only focus.
• Special Olympics USA Games: National-level competition platform where Special Pops athletes compete. Operates the broader Special Olympics ecosystem (national federation) of which Special Pops is a downstream training partner, with overlapping athlete population and adaptive sports focus.

Direct peers

• NetKnacks Tennis: Adaptive tennis instruction company founded and previously operated by Special Pops board member Marcy Hirshberg for 25+ years. Directly comparable business in adaptive tennis coaching methodology, serving similar populations with instructional programs.
• Special Olympics Georgia: State-level Special Olympics affiliate and Special Pops Tennis' primary institutional partner. Both serve athletes with intellectual disabilities through adaptive sports programming in Georgia and overlap substantially in athlete population, volunteer base, and event infrastructure.

Regional players

• TGA Premier Youth Tennis: National youth tennis instruction franchise serving K-12 students through school and community programs. Comparable in delivering tennis instruction to youth in non-traditional settings and partnering with schools for program delivery, though not adaptive-specialized.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=TQSoxZ0yxo0
• Facebookfacebook.com/specialpopstennis
• Instagraminstagram.com/specialpopstennis
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/special-pops-tennis

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Special Pops Tennis