Armed forces get standing ovation at Wimbledon for 75 years of voluntary work

The service workers were given a standing ovation by their Centre Court audience to mark 75 years of volunteering

Armed forces personnel received a standing ovation at Wimbledon to honour their 75 years of volunteering as stewards at the tournament.

Service workers from the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and the Army were applauded by the Centre Court audience as Coco Gauff took on Kaja Juvan on Saturday.

American teenager Gauff, 17, swept past her Slovenian rival, 20, to reach the fourth round of the tennis competition.

As a thank you for their efforts, the Royal Box was dedicated to armed forces members for the first time in the history of the event.

Among those seated in the box were Lieutenant General Sir Tyrone Urch, who led the military’s contribution in the battle against Covid-19 in Britain.

Sir Tyrone was joined by Deputy Commissioner for the London Fire Brigade, Richard Mills, together with Major General Tim Hodgetts, Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd and Air Marshal Andrew Turner.

Wimbledon volunteers team leader, Ann Miller-McCaffrey, chief petty officer for the Naval Reserve, described the standing ovation as ‘overwhelming’.

‘Every time it happens, the cheers start, the clapping starts, the hairs stand up on the back of my neck,’ she said.

Armed Forces members were honoured with a seat in the royal box of Centre Court to mark 75 years of volunteering (Picture: PA)

‘It just shows that even the general public appreciate what we’re doing for the country as well but also here at Wimbledon.

‘I know quite a lot of people that have been involved with supporting the pandemic and the operations that have gone around it.

‘They’ve all been working super, super hard. But that’s what we’re trying to do as the armed forces.’

‘I see us more as a defence force as well, because we’re here to protect the country,’ she added.

‘Doing what we could do during the pandemic really highlights the fact that the armed forces are really valued and element of society.’

The standing ovation, ahead of the clash between Coco Gauff and Kaja Juvana, was described by one volunteer team leader as ‘overwhelming’ (Picture: PA)

Around 900 personnel applied for the 350 positions available, with those selected assisting in emergency incidents.

They also steward the main staircases at Centre Court, check people’s tickets, help them find their seats and carry out bag checks.

Many use two weeks of their annual leave to volunteer at the annual tennis event.

‘I’m always of the ethos that if those who went before me didn’t do what they did, I wouldn’t get the opportunities that I have,’ Ms Miller-McCaffrey added.

‘It’s really good to see from an organisation like Wimbledon to recognise us.’  

It comes after a British scientist who helped to create the Oxford/Astra Zeneca Covid vaccine was given a standing ovation on Centre Court.

Dame Sarah Gilbert was among ‘inspirational individuals’ invited to watch the first day of play from the royal box, to ‘recognise the service they have provided throughout the pandemic.’

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