USTA New England Partners With ACEing Autism

USTA NEW ENGLAND PARTNERS WITH ACEING AUTISM TO EXPAND ADAPTIVE TENNIS OPPORTUNITIES

WESTBOROUGH, MA – USTA New England is excited to announce a new strategic partnership with ACEing Autism, a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing specialized adaptive tennis programs for children with autism. The collaboration aims to significantly expand inclusive tennis opportunities and provide training for coaches throughout New England.

The partnership aligns the missions of both organizations: USTA New England's commitment to growing tennis and inspiring healthier communities, and ACEing Autism's goal to help children with autism grow, develop and benefit from social connections and fitness through affordable, adaptive tennis.

This comes as both organizations observe Disability Pride Month, an annual celebration every July that honors the diverse experiences, contributions, and unique identities within the disability community.

“This partnership is a massive step towards making tennis a truly inclusive sport for everyone in New England,” said Mavi Sanchez-Skakle, USTA New England Head of Social Impact & Opportunity. “By combining our network with ACEing Autism’s expertise, we can empower local coaches and create welcoming environments where children with autism can thrive, build confidence, and discover a lifelong passion for the game.”

As part of the agreement, USTA New England will provide a grant to support ACEing Autism in delivering six adaptive tennis coach workshops—one in each New England state. These workshops, led by ACEing Autism’s expert trainers, will equip local tennis professionals and volunteers with the skills and resources necessary to work effectively with athletes with autism.

“We are very excited to enter into a partnership with USTA New England to make tennis more accessible to junior players and adults of all abilities. This collaboration is especially meaningful because ACEing Autism was founded in Boston in 2008, and it feels like a homecoming. We're thrilled to share our expertise with the section and work together to get more tennis racquets into the hands of children and adults across New England. Together, we’re not just growing the game—we’re making it inclusive, fun, and truly for everyone,” said Richard Spurling, Executive Director and Founder, ACEing Autism.

ACEing Autism annually supports nearly 10,000 children on the autism spectrum to grow and develop through specialized tennis programs. It provides affordable, adaptive tennis at over 200 locations nationwide, helping to improve social skills and physical fitness in a supportive environment. Programs are led by thousands of volunteers who have an affinity for tennis and interest in supporting children and families. Contact ACEing Autism to become involved.

About USTA New England

USTA New England, one of 17 regional sections across the country that comprise the United States Tennis Association (USTA), is a not-for-profit organization committed to promoting and developing the growth of tennis and increasing participation in the sport in New England by offering quality recreational and competitive programs for people of all ages and abilities. For more information, visit usta.com/newengland. 

About ACEing Autism

ACEing Autism is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) grow, develop, and benefit from social connections and fitness through affordable tennis programming. Sports can often be difficult for children with ASD to access, but ACEing Autism bridges this gap with a specialized curriculum. Since its founding, ACEing Autism has positively impacted thousands of families across the U.S. To learn more, visit aceingautism.org.