Pupils show off their ball skills at Wimbledon

9:57am Tuesday 1st July 2008

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As the world's finest tennis players took to the courts during Wimbledon fortnight, parents of pupils at one Sunbury school may have been keeping a closer eye on the balls rather than the scoreline.

That is because over the past week and a half Sunbury Manor School in Nursery Road has provided ball boys and girls for the tournament for the 12th consecutive year.

It is physically and mentally demanding, but they have been training since November, travelling every week to Wimbledon after school for rigorous training sessions."

Spokesman for Sunbury Manor School

Eight students from the current year 10 are helping out, along with 12 students who have been invited back after last year.

A spokesman for the school said: "They are on court for an hour at a time, then have a break of an hour before they return to court. It is physically and mentally demanding, but they have been training since November, travelling every week to Wimbledon after school for rigorous training sessions.

"The students who have taken part in previous years, all acknowledge it as one of the best times of their lives - an experience they are all so glad to have had, despite the hard work, and one that stays in their memory forever."

Deputy headteacher and Wimbledon trainer Pete Dando has been with the students throughout the tournament ensuring the smooth running of the teams on to courts, and PE teacher Jo Hales has accompanied them to the training sessions, along with Terry Howard who has driven them there.