Apply to be a 2012 Australian Open MLC Ballkid!

Monday, 17 January, 2011
By Tennis Australia

Young tennis fans excited for Australian Open 2011 have a chance to be a part of the action in 2012 when applications for MLC Ballkids positions open today.

Kids aged 12-15 years in January 2012 are invited to apply for positions, which are now open in our Jobs section.

The online application process outlines all of the requirements and commitments necessary to be a successful candidate, and kids also need the consent of a parent or guardian. Sarah Cortese, Human Resources Coordinator at Tennis Australia, said that the application period, which closes on Thursday 3 February, had been extended from previous years as up to 2000 applications were expected to be received.

"We're obviously wanting to get the best of the best, so that means making the application process open for a little bit longer so that we have a greater selection of kids to choose from," she said.

"We're looking for kids with a good knowledge of tennis, a hard-working attitude, good team work skills and reliability, and unrestricted availability during Australian Open 2012 and for all trials, training sessions and the launch event leading up to the tournament."

The best applicants will be short listed to take part in Level 1 trials, which will be run by Tennis Australia coach members at local tennis clubs around metropolitan Melbourne and county Victoria. Level 1 trial dates will be held from 19 March to 3 April.

Tennis Australia Tennis Operations Coordinator Darren Sturgess said that the trials would be a chance for budding ballkids to showcase their skills. "Kids will be assessed on their technical skills including rolling action, agility and speed across the court, as well as their on-court concentration and awareness," he said.

"Outstanding kids will be invited to attend Level 2 trials, and from here we'll select the final group of applicants to join the squad of approximately 340 kids."

Level 2 trials will be hosted in May at Melbourne Park - home of the Australian Open.

MLC, which sponsors the MLC Ballkid program, will be actively promoting applications both on site at Australian Open 2011 and on their own website at www.mlc.com.au.