Ball boys and girls needed to assist Roger Federer and co at Dubai Championships

Denzil Pinto 13:17 13/11/2014
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  • Challenging role: Being a ball kid requires a high level of concentration, speed and agility.

    Saturday sees the start of Clark Francis Tennis Academy’s (CFTA) new ball kid programme and with registration still open it’s a fantastic opportunity for selected children to assist the world’s best tennis players at the 2015 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

    Open to children aged between 10 and 16, the programme provides a chance to be a few yards away from the players during their matches in the two elite tennis events in Dubai – the ATP and the WTA tournaments.

    The tasks includes supplying balls to the likes of Serena Williams and Roger Federer, who regularly compete in the event, giving a towel to a player during a break, observing and ensuring a smooth play on the court by retrieving balls as quickly as possible.

    It requires a high level of concentration, speed and agility to succeed where children will be tested in different exercises during the 16-week programme that will be led by CFTA coaches.

    For the first time ever, ball kids at this year’s tournaments received a 10 out of 10 rating by the players and the tournament director Salah Tahlak, and CFTA will be hoping to repeat that achievement.

    Only 120 children will be selected for the two tournaments and with over 100 already signed up, CFTA are hoping to attract 300 to the programme.

    “The response has been great but we want more children to sign up,” said Paul Espie, assistant director of tennis at CFTA, which has been responsible for providing ball kids since the championships began.

    He added: “We are targeting 300 children which would be a record and it’s a great chance to be involved in the two best tennis tournaments in the UAE. “The exercises will be fun and will require a lot of hard work and determination.

    “It will also help enhance their communication and team-building skills.

    “Last year saw 120 ball kids from all over the UAE earned the right to perform their tasks in front of a worldwide TV audience.

    “And they had the privilege of standing alongside players like Federer, Djokovic and the Williams sisters. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these children to learn what all is involved in being a ball kid and I really wished I had a chance like this when I was young.”

    The lucky 120 children chosen for the championships will receive uniforms and match tickets, while those who missed out will get a free tennis class at CFTA. Registration is Dh200 per person with classes held on weekends in the mornings.

    Saturday sees the start of Clark Francis Tennis Academy’s (CFTA) new ball kid programme and with registration still open it’s a fantastic opportunity for selected children to assist the world’s best tennis players at the 2015 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

    Open to children aged between 10 and 16, the programme provides a chance to be a few yards away from the players during their matches in the two elite tennis events in Dubai – the ATP and the WTA tournaments.

    The tasks includes supplying balls to the likes of Serena Williams and Roger Federer, who regularly compete in the event, giving a towel to a player during a break, observing and ensuring a smooth play on the court by retrieving balls as quickly as possible.

    It requires a high level of concentration, speed and agility to succeed where children will be tested in different exercises during the 16-week programme that will be led by CFTA coaches.

    For the first time ever, ball kids at this year’s tournaments received a 10 out of 10 rating by the players and the tournament director Salah Tahlak, and CFTA will be hoping to repeat that achievement.

    Only 120 children will be selected for the two tournaments and with over 100 already signed up, CFTA are hoping to attract 300 to the programme.

    “The response has been great but we want more children to sign up,” said Paul Espie, assistant director of tennis at CFTA, which has been responsible for providing ball kids since the championships began.

    He added: “We are targeting 300 children which would be a record and it’s a great chance to be involved in the two best tennis tournaments in the UAE.

    “The exercises will be fun and will require a lot of hard work and determination.

    “It will also help enhance their communication and team-building skills.

    “Last year saw 120 ball kids from all over the UAE earned the right to perform their tasks in front of a worldwide TV audience.

    “And they had the privilege of standing alongside players like Federer, Djokovic and the Williams sisters. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these children to learn what all is involved in being a ball kid and I really wished I had a chance like this when I was young.”

    The lucky 120 children chosen for the championships will receive uniforms and match tickets, while those who missed out will get a free tennis class at CFTA. Registration is Dh200 per person with classes held on weekends in the mornings.

    What: Clark Francis Tennis Academy's ball kid trainining for Dubai Duty Free Tennis.
    When: Weekends with first class this Saturday at 11:00
    Where: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Aviation Club in Garhoud, Dubai.
    Sport360 Verdict: Not one to be missed for children who want to learn what it takes to be a ball kid.
    Contact: www.clarkfrancistennis.com

     

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