While life for the players on the circuit can be glamorous, the realities of ball-girling are anything but strawberries and cream.

"It's not a job you can just turn up for on the day without any preparation," said Becky Hall, teacher in charge of the 13 year olds.

"They have all been undergoing fitness and technical training for five hours each week since March.

"We do ball skills, drills and games, making sure they're really fast to pick up the ball.

"People think it's ever so easy but they really have to work hard and have to be very fit and last year some of them were on court in the sun for six hours non stop.

"At the end of the week they certainly need a holiday."

The school has an impressive 20-year history of providing ball-girls for top events for this year's Powder Byrne trophy, the entire year nine will be involved. It means a week off schoolwork outdoors, an enviable suntan and, apart from occasional "shocking language" the girls are well treated by the players. But what else do the girls get from the week?

"They all love it," said Hall, "It's one of those things that they take away from school and they never forget. They pick up autographs, get pictured with the famous payers in the exhibitions and get to see the lesser known ones.

"Last year one of the girls was ball-girling for in an exhibition match and Goran Ivanisevic gave her his racket and she found herself playing against Mark Phillipoussis.

"They've all got their favourites and by the end of the week they all want to be on court with certain players, so I try to arrange them to go on court where they like the men. It takes some juggling."

"Tennis fans the world over would give their right arm for a piece of memorabilia and the Coloma girls are well placed to pick up the spoils of the match. "They appreciate the finer qualities of the souvenir, and they do get given a towel or a sweatband they probably don't wash it for weeks."

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