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