Newark, NJ – January 12, 2012 – Mayor Cory A. Booker and Director of Neighborhood and Recreational Services Tharien Karim Arnold announced today that the City of Newark will launch this year’s youth Double-Dutch team, named, “Team on the Move,” with a meeting and practice for interested jumpers on Tuesday, January 17, 2012, at 5:30 p.m., at the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center. Practices will continue Tuesdays and Fridays, at the same site. The John F. Kennedy Recreation Center is located at 211 West Kinney Street, with the entrance on Howard Street.

This year’s Double-Dutch squad is open to youth in grades three through eight. The squad will compete against other Double-dutch teams at local, state, regional, national, and world competitions. The team is co-ed, and beginners are welcomed. The team is sanctioned by the American Double-Dutch League and will join the National Double-Dutch League.

“Double-dutch is one of Newark’s greatest childhood pastimes and America’s greatest urban traditions. Double-dutch can be enjoyed at any age,” Mayor Booker said. “It’s great fun, builds friendships and promotes good health. I urge our adults to volunteer to help support it. Our goal is to encourage physical activity for all of our youth while promoting First Lady Michelle Obama’s initiatives to fight childhood obesity. Let’s move towards a stronger and healthier Newark!”

All persons participating must be Newark residents and submit a completed registration form and medical evaluation completed by a physician. Youth seeking to participate on the team should wear comfortable clothes like sweat pants and t-shirts. Socks and sneakers with laces are required, and no jeans or boots are allowed. Participants should bring water bottles. One day a week, tumbling will be taught to participants by World Cup Champion and Newark native Rayshine Harris of Shine Tumblers.

“Our past Double-dutch programs were very successful, accommodating 15-40 children per season,” said Director Arnold. “I commend our Recreation team on reestablishing this program and urging Newark youth to jump into it.”

Youth interested in participating on the team or adults volunteering to teach or chaperone the youth team are needed. No double-dutch experience is required. To find out more about the Double-Dutch programs, contact Andréa Mason at the Division of Recreation and Cultural Affairs either at 94 William Street, Newark, New Jersey, 07102, by telephone at (973) 733-3620, or by e-mail at

Recreation has also been a major priority for the Booker administration. Since 2006, each of the City’s recreation centers has had a comprehensive rehabilitation. After millions of dollars of capital investment, every city Recreation facility and pool has been upgraded and is now open for expanded programs and community use. In addition, City programming at recreation centers has been expanded. Residents can now access a full catalogue of recreation and cultural programs and services.

The John F. Kennedy Recreation and Aquatic Center is the City’s largest such facility, offering Newark residents of all ages a wide variety of daily recreation, exercise, and swimming programs. 2008 Olympic U.S. Swimming Gold Medalist Cullen Jones trained there as a youth.  The facility features a multi-purpose exercise room, a regulation size basketball court, a state-of-the-art weight room and an indoor/outdoor Olympic-size swimming pool equipped with a retractable roof. The John F. Kennedy Recreation and Aquatic Center has hosted numerous events, including the 2002 U.S. Youth Games Swimming competition, professional wrestling matches, a variety of exercise classes, amateur boxing bouts, basketball tournaments and other community functions.

The City’s recreation programs are sponsored by the Department of Neighborhood and Recreational Services’ Division of Recreation and Cultural Affairs. For information about any City of Newark program or policy, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.

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With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival. Its population showed growth in the most recent census. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The rate of production of affordable housing has doubled, and new businesses are moving in. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission: to set a national standard for urban transformation.

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