{"id":12792,"date":"2017-05-30T15:30:28","date_gmt":"2017-05-30T06:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/sa\/?p=12792"},"modified":"2017-06-01T09:33:05","modified_gmt":"2017-06-01T00:03:05","slug":"follow-in-caitlin-and-jaydens-footsteps-find-out-how-you-can-be-a-ballkid-too","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/sa\/news\/2017\/05\/30\/follow-in-caitlin-and-jaydens-footsteps-find-out-how-you-can-be-a-ballkid-too","title":{"rendered":"Follow in Caitlin and Jayden’s footsteps…find out how you can be a Ballkid too!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here’s your chance to be a ballkid…just like our\u00a02017 Australian Open Interstate Ballkid Visitor Program South Australian representatives, Caitlin Nancarrow and Jayden Dunning!<\/p>\n

Caitlin and Jayden were selected to represent South Australia following their outstanding participation in the 2016 World Tennis Challenge, earning them the opportunity to spend three weeks at the Australian Open held in January.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing selected to be a ballkid at the Australian Open in 2017 was an amazing, once in a lifetime experience,\u201d said Dunning.<\/p>\n

\u201cI spent 3 wonderful weeks meeting new people and developing friendships with other ballkids from across Australia and the world.\u00a0 As well as this, I was able to get close to all the players, soak up the atmosphere at Melbourne Park, and of course enjoy some world class tennis.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCaitlin and Jayden have both been fantastic representatives for our state. Both have been enthusiastic participants in our ballkid squads over the past several years and their hard work made them deserving recipents of this fantastic experience,\u201d said Breanna Hassam, Manager of the World Tennis Challenge Ballkid Program.<\/p>\n

Caitlin and Jayden are now set to pass the baton on to Taylor Hoffmann and Ethan Roberts, who have been selected to represent the state in 2018.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are, of course, very excited to announce that Taylor and Ethan will be representing South Australia at the Australian Open in 2018. Both Taylor and Ethan displayed an outstanding attitude during the World Tennis Challenge and are very worthy recipients of this opportunity,\u201d said Hassam.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe chance to represent South Australia at the Australian Open is the opportunity of a lifetime for Taylor and Ethan, and we wish them all the very best of luck,\u201d Hassam added.<\/p>\n

The official Interstate Ballkid Visitor Program representatives will attend intensive on court training sessions, an official Australian Open induction and orientation days during 2017.<\/p>\n

Follow in Caitlin, Jayden, Taylor and Ethan\u2019s footsteps and express your interest\u00a0in the World Tennis Challenge Ballkid Squad and Woolworths Ballkid Program! Register now\u00a0by completing the expression of interest form available here<\/a>\u00a0or for those between 15-17 years of age, please email wtcballkids@tennis.com.au<\/a>. Expressions of interest close on Monday 31 July 2017.<\/p>\n

Ballkids play an integral role in ensuring that tennis tournaments run smoothly. Throughout the Australian Open series, each ballkid is a focal part of every game, be it at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne or at the Brisbane International, Hobart International,\u00a0Apia International Sydney or South Australia\u2019s very own, World Tennis Challenge!<\/p>\n

Ballkids are aged between 11 and 17 years depending on the tournament age restrictions. Please see below exact ages for each tournament:<\/p>\n