Wimbledon - Ball Boys & Ball Girls

BALL BOYS & BALL GIRLS

General

Wimbledon training is directed by Anne Rundle, who used to teach in Merton. Anne has been involved in Wimbledon training for well over 25 years.
Final total of approximately 250 from around 700 applicants. Approximately 160 are selected from about 540 year 9 & 10 applicants and around 90 are chosen from about 160 ballboys/girls from previous years. Approximate ratio of boys/girls is 50/50.
Average age is 15 years. Many BBGs spend two years as a BBG

For 2011Ballboys and Ballgirls will be chosen from the following schools:

The Beacon School, Banstead	Saint Cecilia’s School, Wandsworth
Glyn Technology School, Ewell	Southborough, Kingston
Graveney School, Wandsworth	Sunbury Manor School, Sunbury
Greycourt School Richmond	Surbiton High School, Kingston
Hall School, Wimbledon	Sutton Grammar School, Sutton
Holy Cross Convent School, New Malden	Sutton High School Sutton
John Fisher School, Purley	Teddington, School, Teddington
Overton Grange School, Sutton	Tiffin School, Kingston
Raynes Park High School, Raynes Park	Tolworth Girl’s School Surbiton
Ricards Lodge High School, Wimbledon	Ursuline High School, Wimbledon
Rutlish School, Merton	Wilson's School, Wallington
Sacred Heart High School, Hammersmith	Wimbledon High School, Wimbledon

In 1920’s & 30’s ball boys provided by Shaftesbury Homes.
From 1946 provided by volunteers from institutions/schools (see Compendium for 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/WJTI are asked to send candidates who meet the following requirements:
Completed the 1st 8 modules of the online training programme and 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

Training begins in February at AELTC.
Each prospective ballboy/girl will train once a fortnight and also attend four 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 2.0-2.5 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, working on knowledge of the game), scoring (eg knowing from the score at which end the balls should 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.