Sport Canterbury's iconic Jump Jam Extravaganza event celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2018, with 700 students registered to take part.
 

The high energy, widely-respected Jump Jam Extravaganza has become a highlight on the South Canterbury school calendar, as teams of up to 14 children compete for bragging rights and age group trophies.

Date: Wednesday 20 June 2018

“This event has been driven by student interest and word of mouth since its beginnings in 2009,says Lee King, of Sport Canterbury’s South Canterbury Regional Office.

“We started in 2009 with six teams, and it took place at one of the schools, in their hall. Since then, momentum has been driven by schools and student enthusiasm.”

In 2018, 60 teams will participate. It is not unusual for teams to train year-round, with teachers as well as parents involved to bring together choreography and costumes.

“What I really think has made me most pleased over the years is the number of young people who come onto stage who have never had this opportunity before, to be on a big stage in the spotlight.”

Feedback from teachers and principals indicates that many young people participating are not students who excel in traditional sporting codes, King adds.

First-place getters in 2018 will be recognised with a special anniversary badge, commemorating the event’s 10-year history. Achievement, however, is hardly the end of the road – for many students with coaching aspirations, it’s just the beginning.

“As participants gain confidence each year, they may later return as student coaches and leaders, mentoring younger teams. This is a great outcome, and we applaud these Jump Jam student coaches by presenting them with certificates on stage.”

The continuing popularity of the event each year may also be due to its purely “optional” nature. Schools are not under pressure to enter teams or purchase resources.

“We drove it to start with, we provided the opportunity and it’s really taken on its own life because the students drive it.”