ISF and IJRU Forge Landmark Partnership to Elevate Jump Rope in Schools Worldwide

Nov. 28, Lausanne, Switzerland – The International School Sport Federation (ISF) and the International Jump Rope Union (IJRU) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a significant step toward integrating jump rope into school sport programmes worldwide. The MoU was signed on the occasion of IJRU President Shaun Hamilton’s visit to the ISF during the IF Seminar. The two organisations formalised their shared commitment to youth development through sport.

This groundbreaking alliance will leverage the unique duality of jump rope: its accessibility as a fundamental fitness tool and its power as a dynamic, competitive discipline. The collaboration is designed to forge a clear pathway for millions of students, turning playground activity into international achievement while building resilience, confidence, and community.

The partnership capitalizes on the sport's explosive global momentum, evidenced by the recent Jump Rope World Championships in Japan. The event shattered records, drawing 2,600 elite athletes from 34 countries and regions, with its finals broadcast to a worldwide audience on the Olympic Channel—cementing jump rope's status as a premier sport.

“We are not merely adding an event; we are igniting a movement,” stated ISF President Željko Tanasković. “This partnership empowers young generations by channelling the universal language of jump rope into lessons in perseverance, teamwork, and self-belief. We are unlocking a world of potential for every student.”

A central pillar of the collaboration is the creation of the ISF World School Jump Rope Championship. To ensure a  pathway to this pinnacle event, IJRU's world-class standards—from certified officiating to accredited courses, IJRU and ISF will work collaboratively to deliver a jump rope school based world event, thus elevating the sport from local playgrounds to the world stage.

“The world has seen our athletes’ incredible skill and the electric appeal of our sport,” said Mr. Hamilton. “Now, we channel that energy into schools everywhere. Together with ISF, we are elevating a pastime into a powerhouse, encouraging education,  and cultivating not just athletes, but the confident, healthy leaders of tomorrow.”

About the International Jump Rope Union (IJRU):

The International Jump Rope Union (IJRU) has 68 members globally is currently in the application process for the Alliance of Independent Recognized Members of Sport (AIMS) and previously an Observer with the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF). IJRU is actively pursuing inclusion in the future Olympic Games, reflecting its dedication to the global growth of the sport.

The organization was formed through the unification of the International Rope Skipping Federation (FISAC-IRSF) and the World Jump Rope Federation (WJRF). To date, IJRU and its predecessors have hosted 21 world championships, reflecting a rich history of athletic excellence and international collaboration.

For more information, please visit www.ijru.sport