© Bob Martin

Ball boys have a long history at Wimbledon. In the 1920s and 30s ball boys were provided by Shaftesbury Homes. From 1946, this service was provided by volunteers from institutions and schools.

History

• In 1920s & 30s ball boys provided by Shaftesbury Homes.
• From 1946 provided by volunteers from institutions and schools (see Compendium for full list).
• 1977, ball girls introduced.
• 1980, first mixed teams of ball boys and girls.
• 1985, ball girls on Centre Court for the first time.

Selection

• Participating schools make the initial nominations of the ball boys/girls.
• No particular weight and height is required.
• Schools are asked to send candidates who meet the following requirements:
• Have completed the 1st  6 modules of the online training programme & registered their details online
• Are generally in Year 9 or 10
• Have no exams during The Championships
• Are able to give priority to training during the training period
• Are physically fit
• Have a good knowledge of the laws of tennis
• Are available to start training at 4.00pm
• Understand that absence for any reason (including illness and injury) lasting two weeks or longer may result in failure to qualify for further training
• Are available for middle Sunday if required
• Are sure that work experience/school trips will not result in missed sessions.

Qualification for Full Training

• To qualify for full training students must:
• Pass a written test on the rules and scoring of tennis at Wimbledon
• Be able to carry out instructions & drills
• Be able to complete a circuit & then stand still for 3 minutes
• Show good speed in shuttle runs
• Pass tests of hand/eye co-ordination’

• And using the instructions outlined on the online training programme
• Roll three flat, straight balls (one after another arriving in released order) 
• Feed, receive and indicate ‘no tennis balls’ as instructed
• Pivot using correct foot movement
• Adopt the correct stance

Training

• Wimbledon training is directed by Anne Rundle, who used to teach in Merton.  Anne has been involved in Wimbledon training for well over 20 years.
• Final total of approximately 250 from around 700 applicants.  Approximately 160 are selected from about 540 year 9 & 10 applicants and approximately 90 are chosen from about 150 ballboys/girls from previous years. Approximately ratio of boys/girls is 50/50.
• Training begins in February at Sutton Junior Tennis Centre. Each prospective BBG will train once a fortnight and also attend three brief court training sessions at the Covered Courts before Easter.
• After the Easter break all training takes place at Wimbledon (mainly on the Covered Courts) - lasts until mid June apart from school holidays.
• Weekly training sessions last two hours with 50-60 children per session.
• Four sessions per week.
• Training sessions involve general fitness and movement exercises, circuits, ball skills (rolling, feeding, receiving, work on knowledge of the game), scoring (eg knowing from the score at which end should the balls be), and set pieces (marching, start and end of game, tie break, ball change, suspended play etc.)  
• Throughout training each candidate is constantly assessed on the above.
• Wimbledon ballboys and girls are not involved in the Qualifying Competition.

During The Championships

• Four teams of six selected by Anne Rundle to be responsible for Centre and No.1 Courts.
• Six teams of six rotate around the other show courts.
• Remainder in teams of six rotate around the rest of the courts.
• Usually arrive at 10.30am and leave as soon as possible after the last court is closed.
• Usual routine is one hour on, one hour off. 

Other facts

• Average age is 15 years. 
• Many BBGs spend two years as a ballboy or girl.