Indian Wells, California

March 5-18, 2018

ball kids

Ball Kids

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Ball Kid! Unfortunately, at this time, we are no longer accepting applications for the 2018 tournament.

Become a part of the BNP Paribas Open at an early age by training to be one of our amazing Ball Kids! This is an unforgettable experience for young tennis fans as they share the same court with legendary players and defending champions like Roger Federer, Elena Vesnina, Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova. Additional benefits include an official tournament uniform and program, two complimentary grounds passes for the entire tournament, autograph sessions with ATP World Tour and WTA players, a Certificate of Participation, our annual Ball Kid party and an opportunity to make new, tennis-loving friends.

Requirements

More than 500 Ball Kids vie for these coveted positions, so please read the requirements carefully before submitting your application.

  1. Ball Kids must be between 12-20 years old, returning Ball Kids may apply up to the age of 23.
  2. Ball Kids must be physically able to perform 2 hours on court with one hour rest between sessions.
  3. Ball Kids must download the training manual and successfully pass the assessment. Log-in information will be sent once your application is received.
  4. Ball Kids must be available a minimum of five (5) sessions, including three (3) day sessions on each of the following days: Monday, March 5; Tuesday, March 6; and Wednesday, March 7.
  5. Ball Kids must participate and complete the Training Session Requirements, listed below.
  6. Ball Kids must be available to attend one Uniform Distribution/Orientation session on either Saturday, March 3 or Sunday, March 4 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
How to sign up
  1. Fill out an online Ball Kid Application.
  2. Download, read, sign and return the Ball Kid Permission Waiver and Code of Conduct forms. You must return these forms before you are able to select training sessions. While the forms are fillable online, they MUST be printed out and signed before returning. Minors (under 18) must have a parent sign the waiver while those over 18 may sign their own. Please return the forms either via email to ballkids@iwtg.net or by mail to:
    BNP Paribas Open Ball Kids
    78-200 Miles Ave.
    Indian Wells, CA 92210
  3. Download, print and study the 2018 BNP Paribas Open Ball Kid Training Manual. This will have all of the information necessary to pass the online assessment.
  4. You will receive an email providing information on how to access and complete the online assessment within 5-7 days of receiving your completed application.
  5. Once you pass the online assessment and return the signed Permission Waiver and Code of Conduct forms you will register for an account on Shiftboard to schedule your training sessions.
  6. All out-of-town Ball Kids applicants please contact ballkids@iwtg.net regarding our policies on work schedules, chaperones and training requirements.
2018 Training Session Schedule & Requirements

All Ball Kids are required to attend training sessions leading up to the tournament. There are two ways to meet the training requirements and to receive “Tournament Ready” status.

  1. Complete Multiple Training Sessions New Ball Kids, and those with two years or less experience, are required to attend four (4) training sessions while returning Ball Kids with more than two years experience usually require two (2) training sessions. Training Sessions, which are are held locally at Indian Wells Tennis Garden or at an approved off-site location, need to be completed until you receive “Tournament Ready” status by a Ball Kid Chairperson or an Off-Site Coordinator. We strongly recommend choosing early dates to ensure you get all of the training you need and to allow you to sign up for later dates should you need to cancel a session or additional training.
  2. Attend Boot Camp at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden Boot Camp, held January 13-14, is only available for out of state/country applicants or by special request. To apply for Boot Camp please email ballkids@iwtg.net after you have submitted your applications and completed all necessary requirements, listed above.

Please watch all Training Videos prior to attending your first training session.

Ball Kid Training Sessions held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden

All training sessions will be held between 2:00pm – 4:30pm

  • Saturday, January 6
  • Sunday, January 7
  • Sunday, January 14
  • Saturday, January 20
  • Sunday, January 21
  • Saturday, January 27
  • Sunday, January 28
  • Friday, February 2
  • Saturday, February 3

Boot Camp will be held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Saturday, January 13 from 10:00am-4:00pm and (if needed) on Sunday, January 14 8:00am-12:00pm.

Out-of-town Ball Kid Applicants

Out-of-town applicants must complete training sessions at one of the below approved training site to receive “Tournament Ready” status by the Off-Site Coordinator.

  • Denver, CO
  • Idaho Falls, ID
  • Las Vegas, NV
  • Boulder Creek, CA
  • Salt Lake City, UT
  • San Diego, CA
  • Santa Barbara, CA
  • Tempe, AZ
  • Thousand Oaks, CA

Please direct additional questions to ballkids@iwtg.net.

© BNP Paribas Open 2018