Ben Mason reports on being selected to be one of the Barclays Ball Kids:
Barclays ball kids search across the UK for 30 ballkids for the ATP world tour finals at the O2 arena for the top 8 players of the world in November.
Over 2,500 people entered the regional trials across the country stretching as far out as Edinburgh. From the 2,500 that entered they were taken down to 100 to show of there skills at Westway Sports Centre in london.
From there 100 hopefuls there the 30 was picked and I was one of the fortunate people to be chosen. For me my local regional trial was at the Hampshire Club in Southampton. This was my 3rd time I had tried and my last as next year I would be to old.
My first year I got to the final 100 and my second year I was 1 of 10 reserves. After 2 years of near misses to finally get to the barclays ball kids final 30 after 3 years is something I can't explain!
The way I feel right now is like being a 5 year old trying to go to sleep on christmas eve! It still hasn't sunk in yet that I'm going to be rubbing shoulders with the top 8 players of the world. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity that only 90 kids can say they have done!
I am honoured to be picked and am looking forward to a very exciting year! The team are great we are talking already and are planning to go to Wimbledon together!