StrangeNYC Adds Double Dutch to School SportsNYC Adds Double Dutch to School SportsThe Associated PressThe popular urban street pastime called double dutch, in which competitors jump between two ropes twirled eggbeater-style, is getting more recognition, becoming an officially sanctioned sport in New York City high schools. (July 26)[Notes:close shot of feet jumping]For many who grew up in cities, this is the sound of summer(pause for nat sound)It is double dutch and for these girls in Brooklyn it's more than just something to do in the playground.SOT Osayi Owie, Double Dutch jumper:it may tire you out and makes your legs start to hurt and your calves is paining. It's tough. It may look easy but its tough.And that's partly why instructors across New York are pushing to make this a varsity sport in the city's public schools.SOT Ruth Payne, Double Dutch Coach:"they'll learn to succeed in double dutch and they'll learn to succeed in life also. Because it just transfers from the gym floor and, the competition into everyday. They learn how to talk, they learn discipline, self discipline, usually after a while they become self motivated."For those who don't know double dutch involves jumpers hopping between two ropes being twirled at the same time.SOT Nea Markus, Double Dutch jumper:"it's not really tough once you get the hang of it. Once you start its tough because you have to go fast. But once you keep going that pace you get faster and faster."Which is easy for her to say.(pause for nat sound)Double-dutch has already evolved into a club game with teams of jumpers competing nationally with judges determining the winner.Now they want to do it against peers from other schools.SOT Osayi Owie, Double Dutch jumperdouble dutch is a competitive sport and that it just like every other sport you work and practise like every day just to win a first place, it's hard.New York's public school athletic league has already taken the matter under consideration and could make it a varsity sport in time for the spring. ___ ___, The Associated Press. Author: AssociatedPress Keywords: double dutch nyc adds school sports Added: July 26, 2008
