Jump-rope teams compete in Skipping NT’s first event for 2023

Skipping NT has hosted its first competition for the year, with jumpers from four teams showing off their skills and speed. Watch the video.

Skippers across the NT have taken to the stage to show off their speed skills, double Dutch deftness and group routines.

During the first NT competition for the year, skippers from four clubs took part in 30-second, one-minute, and three-minute speed trials, with some young jumpers finishing with more than 80 skips in 30 seconds.

The day’s other categories included double Dutch, double under, and single rope tricks.

Pumper Jumpers coach Eliza Pridham competed at the 2023 Skipping NT competition. Picture: David Bradley

Pumper Jumpers coach and competitor Eliza Pridham said it was very rewarding to have grown up with the sport in the Territory.

“When I started, there was only one club, whereas other states always had a few more than that,” she said.

“To be able to go from just training after school, not really doing competitions, to then bring in competitions into it and then to bring in more than one club into the Territory is just pretty cool.”

Ms Pridham said one of her favourite parts of coaching was working alongside the new junior jumpers.

Lily Pham, 10, competed at a Skipping NT event for the first time in 2023.

Lily Pham, 10, has been skipping for three years but competed for the first time at Saturday’s competition.

Her ultimate goal for the day was to “have a lot of fun”, and she was particularly looking forward to the speed rounds.

Sammy from the Pumper Jumpers was selected to compete at the Colorado World Championships in July. Picture: David Bradley

The Pumper Jumpers were the first club to join Skipping NT 21 years ago, when many of its members fell in love with skipping as children.

Head coach and Parap Primary School teacher Kim Rowe taught several of the older competitors – including Ms Pridham – since they were in Year 1 or 2.

Ms Rowe said all of the Pumper Jumpers over 12 had been selected to represent Australia at the World Championships in Colorado.

“They were all selected last year at the National Championships,” Ms Rowe said.

“All of us that went to the nationals last year were chosen to take part in the world for the Australian team, it is incredible.”

Several members of the Pumper Jumpers were selected to compete at the World Championships in Colorado in July. Picture: David Bradley

Team Australia head coach Taryn Hodgson was in Darwin for the weekend’s competition.

“I always love coming up here to see the NT skippers demonstrate their skills,” she said.

“It is fantastic for all the skippers to perform in a professional competition, but it is particularly good practice for the NT skippers who are heading to the World Championships in July.”

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Originally published as Jump-rope teams compete in Skipping NT’s first event for 2023