Wimbledon Ball Boys and Girls Receive £200 Stipend
Around 280 ball boys and ball girls (BBGs) work at Wimbledon each year, and despite months of intense training, they are not paid a salary. Instead, they receive a stipend of approximately £200 to cover expenses during the fortnight-long tournament, according to the Express.
The All England Club receives roughly 1,400 applications annually from youngsters eager to become BBGs. Most selected are aged 14 to 17, with about 180 coming from Year 9 and Year 10 pupils at local participating schools, and around 100 returning from previous Championships.
Training Demands and Perks
Training for the role begins in February, with prospective recruits attending multiple weekly sessions at the All England Club’s training centre in Raynes Park. The training includes speed drills, court exercises, and written tests on rules and procedures. Former Wimbledon ball boy Alex Crockford, who worked at the Championships in the 2000s, described the preparation as “intense and very physical,” adding, “We practiced how to throw the ball perfectly to the players and how to stand still for long periods.”
From mid-May, training moves to the grass courts at Wimbledon, where BBGs practice in full uniform. Despite the demands, the opportunity to work at one of the most prestigious events in British sport is considered invaluable by most youngsters.
Additional Benefits and Recognition
BBGs receive free meals and refreshments while on duty and get to keep their official Wimbledon uniform, supplied by premium fashion brand Ralph Lauren. The best-performing BBGs may earn the chance to work on show courts such as Centre Court or Court One, giving them a front-row seat for major matches.
