Training sessions for those interested in one of the most desirable jobs in the world of professional tennis, being a ballkid at the 2008 Pacific Life Open, will take place at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden (Thursday, Feb. 21; Friday, Feb. 22; Saturday, Feb. 23, Sunday, Feb. 24; Thursday, Feb. 28; Friday, Feb. 29).� The Thursday and Friday sessions will run from 3:00-5:00 p.m., while the Saturday and Sunday sessions will run from 1:00-4:00 p.m.� Kids ages 12-20 are eligible to try-out to become ballkids for the prestigious event, held March 10-23 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
New this year, all ballkids must fill out an online application and complete an online quiz (study guide is available online) before attending the first training session.� All new ballkids must attend enough training sessions to qualify for the program. Returning ballkids can attend a pre-qualifying session on Friday, February 15 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Last year more than 250 area youths comprised the ballkid team.
Ballkids are needed for over 300 qualifying and main draw matches and each child needs to have tennis experience and should be prepared to commit to a minimum of five weekdays.� The ballkids are managed and trained by volunteer moms and dads and are scheduled according to experience and age.
“This opportunity is unparalled for the kids in the Valley,” said Dee Dee Felich, assistant tournament director.� “There are very few professional sports where kids can participate in the event and we use over 250 of them.� We are proud to say that our ballkids work hard and do a terrific job meeting the demands of the players on court.”
More benefits include complimentary official uniform, guest passes, programs, and player autograph signings.� One senior ballkid will be chosen at the end of the event as the “Ballkid of the Year” based on his/her performance and will win a trip to travel to another professional tennis tournament to participate as an exchange ballkid.
For more information on how to become a ballkid, visit http://iwtg.net/Ball_Kids or call the Champions Volunteer Foundation office at 760/ 200-8430. Parents and others interested in becoming part of the projected group of 800 volunteers should also contact the tournament office.
About the Pacific Life Open
The first major tennis event of the season on U.S. soil, the Pacific Life Open features more than 250 of the world’s best men and women tennis players and last year more than 300,000 people attended the event. Tickets are available by logging onto www.PacificLifeOpen.com, calling the Indian Wells box office, 800-999-1585 or 760-200-8000, or visiting the box office, 78-200 Miles Avenue, Indian Wells, CA 92210.
About Pacific Life
Founded in 1868, Pacific Life provides life insurance products, individual annuities, and mutual funds, and offers a variety of investment products and services to individuals, businesses, and pension plans. Pacific Life counts more than half of the 50 largest U.S. companies as clients1 and is a member of Insurance Marketplace Standards Association (IMSA), whose membership promotes high ethical standards for the sale of individual life insurance and annuities.� For additional information about Pacific Life, including its current financial strength ratings from A.M. Best, Fitch Ratings, Standard & Poor’s, and Moody’s, visit the company Web site at www.PacificLife.com. 1 Data compiled by Pacific Life using the FORTUNE 500 list as of April 2007.
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