Athletics
Cheers, giggles, and encouragement! That’s what you’ll hear if you peek into the gym while the Grade Six Webber Wildcat Jump Rope Team is practicing. Their dedication is admirable, as almost every morning and lunch recess, this group of girls can be found practicing – in the gym if it is cold, outside on the tarmac when the weather is nice.
They focus on improving their jumping skills, speed and freestyle moves. They are jumping individually, in pairs, and in groups. They discovered early on that turning the ropes is hard work, and is crucial to jumping rope as a team.
When they pick up the two cloth ropes, excitement builds as the really “wild” part of the practice begins: double-dutch! At first, jumping in between these two ropes seemed impossible; ropes got tangled, jumpers tripped, and frustration grew.
Did this stop them? Absolutely not! This made them more determined than ever. The encouragement, praise and cheers that they gave one another was just enough to get them over the top! They are now incorporating tricks and freestyle moves into their double-dutch jumping, and challenging themselves to continually improve and do more!
The energy and excitement that this group of girls radiate is amazing AND motivating! The Junior members of the Webber Jump Rope Team (ranging from Grade One to Four) are just as excited and enthusiastic to practice their skills, drills and tricks. This group meets every Day 3 at lunch recess, and has improved immensely since our first practice.
Comments such as, “I can’t skip,” and “I’m no good,” have been replaced with squeals and cheers of “I DID IT!” and “This is great!” Little do these energetic jumpers know that besides being really fun, skipping is good for them!
Why should children learn to jump rope? The benefits of rope skipping include:
- Easy to learn
- Inexpensive
- Allows for creativity
- Enhances self-image
- Provides social skills
- Enables self-discipline
- Gives self-confidence
- Sense of belonging to a team.
- Improved muscle strength and endurance
- Improved cardio-respiratory endurance
- Increased lung capacity, flexibility
- Improved balance, speed and power
- Improved timing and rhythm
Keep an eye out for our Jump Rope Team members the next time you walk pass the gym or tarmac. You will be amazed at what you see!
Jump Rope Team Coaches
- Geri Meisinger, Laura Rooney, Denise Russell
Sport Club Coaches:
- DIV II Cross Country Running - Ms. S. Holbrook, Ms. K. Smith
- Floor Hockey Club - Mr. G. Milnes
- Badminton Club - Mrs. J. Ma, Mrs. C. Celli
- Spring League Basketball - Mr. M. Sprau, Mr. J. Ash
- DIV I Cross Country Running - Ms. S. Holbrook, Ms. K. Smith
- Soccer Club - TBA
- Skipping Club - Mrs. G. Meisinger
