From Thursday 25th to Sunday 28th November, twenty-eight Year 9 and 10 students from Charters School in Sunningdale, kept the tennis matches moving smoothly at the ATP Champions Tour at the Royal Albert Hall. The students were chosen as 'ball kids' to ensure that the players had enough balls to serve and that they got new ones quickly when needed.
As well as meeting players including Greg Rusedski, Mark Philippoussis & of course the “Court Jester” Mansour Bahrami, one of their students was invited to play a point against Emma Raducanu! It was one of highlights of the event and was posted on the BBC's Twitter feed.
This was an amazing experience for the students and each of them embodied the school’s motto of Unity Respect Excellence throughout the event.
Charters School has provided the ball kids for this annual event since 2018 and hope to have the opportunity to do so again for the 2022 Tour.
Assistant Headteacher, Mrs Kirstie Hartwell said, “What an incredible experience for the students, to be able to work with some amazing players in such an iconic venue as The Royal Albert Hall. The students worked hard in preparation in the week’s leading up to the event and had the opportunity to thrive under the pressure of the cameras and the spotlights. Watching the skill of the players so close-up was inspirational. It is an experience of a lifetime they will never forget.”
