How Support Staff Help Run the Wimbledon Championships
後勤人員如何協助營運溫布頓錦標賽
Introduction
The Wimbledon Championships use a structured system of military volunteers and young ball personnel to help the tournament run smoothly.
溫布頓錦標賽採用一套由軍隊志願者與年輕球童組成的結構化系統,以確保賽事順利進行。
Main Body
The use of military personnel as stewards is a tradition that began after World War II. This arrangement started in 1946 to thank the military for protecting the site after wartime bombing. Today, about 500 active-duty members from the army, navy, and air force provide logistical support. Their duties include checking tickets, guiding spectators, and ensuring the crowd remains silent during matches. For example, Captain Dave McGarr manages these operations, while others, like Daniel Thornton, use their annual leave to help. Furthermore, this partnership is honored every year on Armed Forces Day with a formal standing ovation from the spectators and the royal box.
聘請軍方人員擔任場邊管理員是一項始於第二次世界大戰後的傳統。這項安排始於1946年,旨在感謝軍方在戰後轟炸後對場地的保護。如今,約有500名來自陸、海、空軍的現役成員提供後勤支援。他們的職責包括檢查門票、指引觀眾,並確保比賽期間觀眾保持安靜。例如,Dave McGarr上尉負責管理這些運作,而像Daniel Thornton這樣的人則使用年假來協助。此外,每年在武裝部隊日,觀眾與皇家包廂都會以正式的起立鼓掌來致敬這項合作關係。
In addition to the military, approximately 280 ball boys and girls (BBGs) are chosen through a strict selection process. Recruitment happens through 30 local schools, followed by training from February to June. This program focuses on physical fitness and the technical skills needed to collect and deliver balls quickly. The group is led by captains, such as Summer Reid, who organize the team rotations. Participants, including Affan Naseer, emphasize that the role is a big responsibility. They believe it provides them with a sense of discipline that will be very useful in their future professional careers.
除了軍方,約有280名球童(BBGs)透過嚴格的篩選程序被選出。招募工作在30所當地學校進行,隨後在二月至六月間進行訓練。此計畫著重於身體素質以及快速收集與遞送球所需的技術技巧。該團隊由如Summer Reid等隊長領導,負責組織隊員輪替。包括Affan Naseer在內的參與者強調,這個角色肩負重大責任。他們相信這能為他們提供一種紀律感,對未來專業職涯大有裨益。
Conclusion
Wimbledon continues to depend on these two disciplined groups to maintain its high operational standards.
溫布頓將繼續依賴這兩個紀律嚴明的團隊,以維持其高標準的營運水平。
Vocabulary Learning
🚀 From 'Basic' to 'Professional': The Power of Nominalization
At an A2 level, you usually describe actions using simple verbs. To reach B2, you need to describe concepts using nouns. This is how professionals speak and write.
Look at these transformations based on the Wimbledon text:
- A2 (Action-based): "They recruit people through 30 schools." B2 (Concept-based): "Recruitment happens through 30 local schools."
- A2 (Action-based): "They organize the team." B2 (Concept-based): "They manage the team rotations."
- A2 (Action-based): "They operate the tournament." B2 (Concept-based): "...to maintain its high operational standards."
Why this matters for B2: Using nouns (Recruitment, Rotation, Operation) instead of just verbs makes your English sound more formal, objective, and precise. It allows you to talk about systems rather than just people doing things.
🛠️ The "Sophisticated Connector" Tool-Kit
Stop using And, But, and So for everything. The article uses "B2 Bridge" words to glue ideas together. Try these instead:
| Avoid this (A2) | Use this (B2) | Example from text |
|---|---|---|
| Also | Furthermore | "Furthermore, this partnership is honored..." |
| And / Also | In addition to | "In addition to the military..." |
| For example | Such as | "...captains, such as Summer Reid..." |
Pro Tip: Notice how Furthermore and In addition to act as signals. They tell the listener: "I am adding a new, important layer of information," which is a key requirement for B2 fluency.