Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill

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Written evidence submitted by Andrew Böber MSc CMIOSH FRSPH FRGS, Head of Health & Safety / Designated Safeguarding Lead, The All England Lawn Tennis Club (Championships) Limited (CWSB223)

Written evidence for the Public Bill Committee on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill

1. Executive Summary

 

· The Ball Boy and Girl (BBG) Scheme at the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) has been a cornerstone of Wimbledon for decades, offering a structured sporting activity for children from local comprehensive schools.

· This scheme, which has been running since the 1920s, is organized through schools with training starting in October. It operates under part P exclusion, meaning it does not constitute employment.

· Despite occasional media speculation, BBGs are not paid and are not on AELTC’s payroll.

· The scheme is managed with strict safeguarding measures, including access restrictions and enhanced DBS-checked staff.

· The experience is socially rewarding, fostering discipline, teamwork, and opportunities for the children involved.

· Unlike some sports associations that engage children in non-sporting volunteering roles, the BBG Scheme remains firmly within a structured, sporting curriculum.

· The BBG environment provides full welfare support, including designated changing rooms, showers, rest areas, food and drink provisions, and a separate facility for BBG staff. BBGs receive their uniforms at no cost, and arrangements are made with schools for transportation and daily attendance.

2. Introduction

 

2.1 The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) has run the Ball Boy and Girl (BBG) Scheme for over a century, dating back to the 1920s. The scheme provides an opportunity for children from local comprehensive schools to participate in a structured sporting activity as part of an arrangement through their schools.

2.2 This initiative plays a significant role in the overall operation of The Championships at Wimbledon, while also providing invaluable life skills and experiences to the children involved. Many former BBGs credit their involvement in the scheme as a defining moment in their personal and professional development.

3. Background of the BBG Scheme

 

3.1 Historical Context: The BBG Scheme has been an integral part of Wimbledon for over 100 years, originating in the 1920s. Initially composed of young male participants, it evolved to include girls in 1977, ensuring equal opportunities for all.

3.2 Selection and Training: Children are selected through their schools, undergoing a rigorous selection process. Training commences in October and involves intensive physical conditioning, drills, and match simulation exercises to ensure readiness for The Championships.

3.3 Part P Exclusion: The scheme operates under Part P exclusion, reinforcing that participation is voluntary within a structured sporting framework rather than employment. This ensures compliance with relevant regulations while maintaining the integrity of the initiative.

3.4 Not Employment: Despite occasional media speculation and misinformation, BBGs are not paid, nor are they part of AELTC’s payroll. Their participation is part of an educational and sporting experience rather than a professional engagement.

4. Safeguarding and Operational Controls

 

4.1 School-Like Setting: The BBGs’ training and match-day environments are controlled with the same standards as a school setting, ensuring a secure and structured experience for all participants.

4.2 Restricted Access: Only approved personnel have access to the BBG area, including fully enhanced DBS-checked and safeguarding-trained individuals. These controls are in place to guarantee the highest level of safety and security for the children.

4.3 Dedicated Support Staff: The designated team of cleaners and catering staff assigned to the BBG area during The Championships are also fully vetted and trained. The provision of pastoral care in also put in place. These measures ensure that BBGs operate within a controlled and safe environment at all times.

4.4 Full Welfare Provision: BBGs are provided with a complete welfare environment, including designated changing rooms, showers, restrooms, food and drink provisions, and a dedicated rest area. BBG staff have separate changing and rest facilities within the complex to maintain clear distinctions.

4.5 Uniforms and Attendance Arrangements: BBGs receive their uniforms at no cost. Arrangements are coordinated with schools regarding transportation and daily attendance during The Championships, reporting daily back to the schools, ensuring smooth participation throughout The Championships.

5. Social and Personal Development Benefits

 

5.1 Skill Development: The scheme instils discipline, teamwork, resilience, and focus-skills that are highly valuable beyond the sporting environment. The structured training regimen enhances physical fitness, coordination, and mental agility.

5.2 Community and Legacy: Generations of BBGs have participated in the scheme, with many returning in later years to share the positive impact it had on their personal and professional lives. Some have gone on to pursue careers in sports, coaching, and even roles within the AELTC itself.

5.3 Pathway to Opportunities: Former BBGs often cite their experience as a stepping stone to career development, leadership roles, and personal confidence-building. Many alumni of the scheme have excelled in fields such as law, medicine, business, and sports management, attributing their success to the discipline and experience gained during their time as BBGs.

6. Comparison with Other Sporting Events

 

6.1 BBG Scheme vs. General Volunteering: Unlike other sports associations that engage children to provide unpaid event services unrelated to a structured sporting curriculum, the BBG Scheme remains firmly within a defined, skill-based training structure. Other events often rely on young volunteers for roles that do not contribute to their personal development in the same way.

6.2 Employment Considerations: Where children are engaged in non-sporting activities in a voluntary capacity for event operations, such arrangements may be more suggestive of employment rather than sporting participation. Unlike these models, the BBG Scheme ensures that participants are gaining a meaningful and educational experience, rather than merely providing a service.

7. Conclusion

 

7.1 The BBG Scheme at AELTC is a long-standing initiative that provides structured training, discipline, and social benefits to children from local comprehensive schools. It operates within a safeguarded environment with strict controls, ensuring that participants gain meaningful experiences within a recognised sporting framework.

7.2 Unlike other event-based voluntary roles, the BBG Scheme remains a sporting activity, reinforcing its distinction from employment arrangements. This initiative has positively impacted generations of young people, equipping them with skills and opportunities that extend far beyond their time at Wimbledon.

8. Recommendations

 

8.1 Recognition of Sporting Schemes: Ensure that structured sporting participation, which is demonstrable as with the AELTCs, remains distinct from employment classifications, acknowledging the educational and developmental aspects of such initiatives, under Part P exclusions.

8.2 Safeguarding Best Practices: Continue implementing strict safeguarding controls and training to uphold the integrity of the BBG Scheme, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all participants.

February 2025