About Kangaroo Kids
Kangaroo Kids Jump Rope is a precision jump rope team offering classes for all skill levels from ages 6 to 18. Our team is located in Howard County, MD, and we perform at schools, events, halftime shows, and compete nationally and globally. Our team is dedicated to promoting health and wellness through the sport of jump rope, and we aim to inspire athletes of all ages to reach their full potential through hard work and dedication.
Youths compete, perform, and have fun jumping rope in what has become a very competitive sport. Our athletes travel all around the world to compete against the best jumpers in judged competitions. Some teams only jump to perform in front of audiences, while others are created just to compete. The common denominator is the same – introducing this great sport to people locally and around the world. Jump rope – it’s not just for playgrounds anymore!
The Kangaroo Kids competition teams have competed in American Jump Rope Federation (AMJRF) Nationals, International Jump Rope Union (IJRU) World Championships, USA Jump Rope Nationals, Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics tournaments, and at World Jump Rope tournaments.
Contributors
Founder
DON DISNEY
The Kangaroo Kids Precision Jump Rope Team was formed in 1978 by Don Disney at Atholton Elementary School in Howard County, Maryland. From its beginning days as a small jump rope physical fitness club, the today’s Kangaroo Kids is an organization consisting of more than 200 athletes from all areas of Howard County. These athletes range in age from first grade through college and are assigned to specific teams according to age and skill level.
Director of Coaching and Operations
NICOLE MEEK
Nicole has been involved with the sport of jump rope and the Kangaroo Kids since 2005. She has had three of her own kids go through the classes, performing, travel and competition teams. Through the years she has served in the capacity of rope sales, secretary of the board, class Coach, Travel Team Coordinator, Captain Coordinator, Show Coach, Festival Manager, and Coach of Record. She has completed training in AAU Positive Coaching Alliance, USAJR Coaches training, level 1, 2 and head judge, World Jump Rope level 1, 2 and judges' trainer, AMJRF Certified Coaches Training and level 1 and 2 judge training. She was a National Award winner for the AAU Positive Coaching Alliance Double-Goal Coach Award. She currently serves on the AMJRF Ambassador Committee and on the AMJRF Adaptive Athlete Task Force. She has a degree in Elementary Education from Florida State with a specialty of Learning Disabilities from George Mason. As she has traveled extensively to work with other teams around the nation and world, she has developed a coaching philosophy of integrating senior-level jumpers to help coach and mentor younger jumpers to further develop this great sport of jump rope.
Luminary
JIM MCCLEARY
The Kangaroo Kids also recognize Jim McCleary, a nationally recognized physical educator who also serves as the AAU Jump Rope Chairman. His efforts over the last thirty years have contributed to the development of Jump Rope as a popular sport.