A group of childhood friends, now in their 50s, have made a remarkable return to the sport they loved as kids as they prepare to compete in the 2025 World Jump Rope Championships.
The four-person team, who have been friends since they were six years old, recently rekindled their love of skipping and are now set to take on the world stage in Japan as one of the Australia Ropearoos this July.
Nashville State School teacher Luisa Southby said their journey to the championships began when they reunited to celebrate their 50th birthdays and reminisced about their primary school days skipping with their Grade 6 PE teacher, Mr Heron.
“He introduced us to skipping, teaching us tricks and helping us create routines to music,” Luisa said. “Over time, he entered us into competitions and our routines were showcased at numerous schools across Brisbane. We also performed at half-time during Brisbane Bullets games and multiple times at Expo 88.”
One of the school friends, Carolyn, now a skipping coach, convinced them to give it another try.
“We made a pact to do it together, setting the goal of competing in a four-person freestyle routine,” Luisa said.
Breaking Records and Inspiring Others
The team competed in the 2024 Queensland Skipping Championships and the 2024 Australian Rope Skipping Championships in Canberra, where they set a new Australian record for the over-30s age group in the 4x Double Dutch Speed Relay.
Luisa said they couldn’t believe it when they were offered a place in the Ropearoos.
“We initially reunited just to reconnect, have fun and improve our fitness,” she said. “To be selected for the Australian team was an unexpected and exciting development.
“It’s also special for me personally, as I feel like I’m following in my father’s footsteps, who has represented Australia in athletics on multiple occasions over the years.”
The friends have been training with members of the Australian team, who range in age from 12 to 60, meeting twice a week in preparation for the world competition.
“Our primary goal is simply to perform a flawless routine while competing in Japan,” Luisa said. “The experience of being there as a team is what matters most to us.”
They hope their journey will inspire others, particularly those over 50, to take up skipping.
“At some of the competitions we attended, children approached us saying, ‘I wish my mum could compete too,’ and spectators would comment, ‘We can’t believe you’re doing this – well done!’” Luisa said. “It’s never too late to start a new sport or fitness regimen.”
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