Italian Serie A outfit Sampdoria are introducing a new initiative this season, with ball ladies will be replacing ball boys on the touchline.
Usually the ball boys during an official match are members of the club's own youth academy, or locals in and around the city.
But, during Saturday night's 4-2 friendly win over Eintracht Frankfurt, the Blucerchiati debuted their new group of ball ladies - adult females whose job is to put the ball back into play quickly.
Club President Massimo Ferrero will continue this in the future, as he wants "the club to promote positive messages, fair play, social and sporting sensibility.
"This is a contribution towards a modern sport without prejudice."
Other sports have used women in a similar capacity, although the Madrid Open's experiment with ball girls - who were models - was heavily criticised as they were arguably selected on the basis of looks and not ability.
Post by U.C. Sampdoria.
Usually the ball boys during an official match are members of the club's own youth academy, or locals in and around the city.
But, during Saturday night's 4-2 friendly win over Eintracht Frankfurt, the Blucerchiati debuted their new group of ball ladies - adult females whose job is to put the ball back into play quickly.
Club President Massimo Ferrero will continue this in the future, as he wants "the club to promote positive messages, fair play, social and sporting sensibility.
"This is a contribution towards a modern sport without prejudice."
Other sports have used women in a similar capacity, although the Madrid Open's experiment with ball girls - who were models - was heavily criticised as they were arguably selected on the basis of looks and not ability.
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