Ball Boys and Ball Girls
BBGs at The Championships
In a usual year, there is a final total of approximately 280 Ball Boys and Girls (BBGs) from around 1400 applicants who work at The Championships, Wimbledon.
- Approximately 180 are selected from about 1100 year 9 & 10 applicants and around 100 are chosen from about 280 ballboys/girls from previous years.
- Average age is 15 years. Many BBGs spend two years as a BBG.
- Six teams of six selected 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.
- Usual routine is one hour on, one hour off.
History
- In 1920s and `30s ball boys provided by Shaftesbury Homes.
- From 1946 provided by volunteers from institutions/schools, including Dr Barnardo's homes. To find out more about Wimbledon's special association with Barnardo's, click here . (see Sources below 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.
- - In 2022, ball boys and girls first participated in the Qualifying Competition at Roehampton.
Training
- Training begins in February at the AELTC Community Tennis Centre, Raynes Park.
- Each prospective ball boy/girl will train a week; with sessions alternating between skills/set pieces and court work.
- The training also involves speed tests and written tests to check knowledge
- Weekly training sessions last 2-2.5 hours with 45-80 students per session; and 2 to 4 sessions per week depending on the position in the schedule
- After the Easter break, training continues at Raynes Park with successful Year 10 recalls (one Championships experience) rejoining the training
- From May half term, all training takes place at Wimbledon (mainly on the courts at the Indoor Tennis Centre) and lasts until mid-June excluding school holidays
- The trainees finally reach the grass from May onwards, which includes practice on Championships courts in full uniform, the Wild Card Play-offs and Qualifying.
Participating Schools
Past:
- 1920s & 1930s - Shaftesbury Homes
- 1946-1966 - Dr Barnardo’s Homes
- 1967-1968 - Shaftesbury Homes
- 1969-1986 - The Wandsworth School, Southfields
- 1969-1989 - The Nork Park Secondary School
- 1969-1989 - Watermeads High School, Morden
- 1969-2002 - Eastfields High School, Mitcham
- 1969-2006 - Tamworth Manor High School. Mitcham
- 1977-2002 - Rowan High School, Streatham
- 1987-1991 - The John Archer School, Wandsworth
- 2003-2006 - Mitcham Vale School, Mitcham
- 2003 - 2004 - Richard Challoner School, New Malden
- 2005 - 2010 - Southfields Community School, Southfields
Present:
- 1969 - Raynes Park High School, Merton
- 1969 - Rutlish High School, Merton
- 1969 - Wimbledon College, Wimbledon
- 1977 - Ricards Lodge High School
- 1977 - Ursuline High School, Wimbledon
- 1990 - The Beacon School, Banstead
- 1998 - Sunbury Manor School, Sunbury
- 1998 - The Holy Cross School, Kingston
- 1999 - Wimbledon High School, Wimbledon
- 2000 - Harris Academy Morden (formerly Bishopsford Community School)
- 2001 - Overton Grange School, Sutton
- 2001 - Wilson’s School, Wallington
- 2003 - Sutton Grammar School, Sutton
- 2004 - Graveney School, Tooting
- 2005 - Wallington County Grammar School, Surrey
- 2006 - Southborough School, Surbiton
- 2006 - John Fisher School, Purley
- 2007 - Hall School Wimbledon
- 2007 - Sutton High School, Sutton
- 2007 - Harris Academy Merton
- 2009 - Teddington School, Teddington
- 2009 - Tiffin School, Kingston
- 2010 - Glyn School, Surrey
- 2010 - Saint Cecilia's Church of England School, Wandsworth
- 2010 - Surbiton High School, Kingston
- 2011 - Grey Court School, Richmond
- 2011 - Sacred Heart High School, Hammersmith
- 2011 - Tolworth Girl's School, Surbiton
- 2012 - Tiffin Girls, Kingston
- 2013 - Burntwood School, Wandsworth
- 2013 - Putney High School, Wandsworth
- 2024 - Harris Academy Wimbledon, Merton