Wimbledon Umpire Visits Southfields Primary School
Alex Wolfe explains the role to pupils at Ronald Ross
Pupils learn the meaning of umpire's signals
July 17, 2023
Pupils at a Southfields primary school got a first-hand taste of the action at Wimbledon when one of their top umpires paid a visit to the school last week. The Y3 class of teacher Ms Araby McClintock at Ronald Ross Primary School was treated to an hour in the company of professional umpire Alex Wolfe. He travels to top tournaments around the world throughout the year from his home in Southdean Gardens, Southfields.
He spent an hour with the class last Wednesday morning, explaining all about his life on the tennis circuit and taking many interesting questions from the 30 pupils. He then took the class into the school playground to demonstrate many of the actions that umpires and line judges like him have to do during matches. Cries of “OUT!” and “15-LOVE” resounded around the playground as pupils lined up to repeat the umpire’s actions and shouts.
“The session went really well. I did a full workshop, and there are 30 very good 8-year-old umpires in the making!” joked Alex afterwards. He also presented each pupil with a souvenir tennis ball. These were historic, originally made for use in the 2020 Championships but were cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Alex Wolfe talks about tennis umpiring to the pupils
“Alex really brought the role of a linesman to life,” said Head Teacher Abigail Brady. “The whole session was really engaging, and great for the children to connect the tennis championships on their doorsteps with real-life people. We are so grateful to Alex for giving up his time to come along to Ronald Ross before heading off for another long shift”.
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