Annual flagship tournament anticipates attracting hundreds of athletes from around the country
August 16, 2018 (ATLANTA) – Special Pops Tennis – an organization whose mission is to enrich the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through tennis – is proud to announce its 14th annual Fall Classic Tennis Tournament starting September 28, 2018. This flagship event invites individuals with special needs and tennis enthusiasts to participate in a fun weekend of adaptive tennis at Lifetime Athletic & Tennis in Peachtree Corners, Georgia.
“Every year, I look forward to playing in the Fall Classic because it is a place where I feel appreciated and respected for who I am,” said Kayleigh Dell, a Special Pops Tennis player. “The Fall Classic brings together the best tennis players not only from Georgia but the surrounding states as well. It gives me an opportunity to improve my game and socialize with new players!”
The weekend of tennis begins Friday, September 28 with the distribution of the much anticipated “athlete welcome bag” filled with treasured items followed by the singles competition and the day ends with a welcome reception for athletes, coaches, volunteers, and guests. Saturday’s fun-filled day will include great competition, off-court activities, and conclude with athletes, coaches, volunteers, and guests being invited to participate in a casual, informal dinner and dance Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at nearby Marriott – Peachtree Corners. On Sunday, tennis competition concludes and then the awards ceremony occurs Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET at Peachtree Lifetime Athletic & Tennis where every athlete and playing partner will receive his/her hard-earned medal(s).
“The Fall Classic Tennis Tournament is an annual event that allows local, regional and even national athletes with special needs to compete in a sport that enhances their physical talent and grows their social skills,” said Special Pops Tennis Executive Director Jim Hamm. “Last year, we welcomed over 120 athletes and coaches from 8 different states and hope this year we can attract even more athletes from around the nation in an effort to encourage greater participation in the lifetime sport of tennis.”
Additionally, last year’s tournament hosted more than 300 volunteers to support the sunscreen station, massage station, photo booth and more, which will feature even more off-court activities this year.
To register an athlete or sign up as a volunteer, go to specialpopstennis.org/registration to learn more.
Special Pops Tennis
Special Populations Tennis Program, Inc. (Special Pops) is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization that offers an adaptive tennis program specifically designed to share the lifetime sport of tennis with children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Special Pops provides an environment for athletes with special needs to build their self-confidence and life skills through social interaction with each other, coaches and volunteers. Based in the metropolitan Atlanta area, Special Pops is a registered Community Tennis Association of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and is recognized by USTA Georgia as the primary CTA in Georgia for teaching tennis and training coaches to teach tennis to players with special needs.
Contact:
Jim Hamm – jim_hamm2003@yahoo.com
404-702-5820
