How do you see the impact of your position in ISF, for girls?
I have spent 30 years as an athlete, judge, coach, and official in the sport of jump rope. This is a new sport to the ISF and has great potential to expand the variety of girls’ sports. I recognise and respect the impact that sports have in girls’ lives and the potential individuals have for future achievements when they learn from the successes and failures that occur on the playing field.
What is the message you would like to address to young girls on the importance of practicing school sport?
Do not give up. I was not born a natural athlete. I had to work very hard to achieve my goals and dreams, but it was not just daydreaming that brought me success. Success was achieved by setting goals, meeting those goals one by one, and asking for help along the way. You can achieve anything you set your mind to. When those difficult times come, it is in looking back at your goals and relying on your team, coaches, and mentors, that will pull you through.
What would you say to the public authority leaders regarding investment in school sport?
School sport is a building block for future success in life. Athletes build confidence in themselves, learn to work with others through extremely tough challenges, and learn to respect authority while involved in school sport. The investment directed toward school sport results in future leaders who are strong, confident, co-operative, and resilient.
In your opinion, how important are international sport events for the youth population and for young girls?
International sport competitions provide a space for girls to interact with other girls their age from across the globe who share the same interests. This builds comradery and friendships that last a lifetime. The chance to compete internationally brings the world closer and helps individuals understand other cultures, origins, and beliefs on a deeper level as they interact with their fellow competitors.
How did you manage in your sport environment (schools, club, federations...) through the COVID-19 situation, specifically for girls and what are the specific challenges for them?
Our sport immediately began discussing ways to keep our athletes involved in jumping. Within just a few months, athletes were participating in online/virtual competitions. Our International championship was moved to a virtual platform allowing all athletes to still participate from the safety of their own country. Our sport can be practiced in an outdoor setting, so many teams have taken their sport outdoors while facilities have been shuttered. As individuals, our athletes have been active on social media platforms issuing challenges, providing teaching tips, and sharing routines to keep everyone involved and progressing during these challenging times.
Message from ISF President Laurent Petrynka & ISF Gender Equality Committee Chair Valérie Lebondo
About Monica Foster
From the United States of America, Monica Foster is the ISF Jump Rope Technical Commission Coordinator. Having competed in Jump Rope for a period of ten years, she began coaching in the sport from 2001, becoming a judge clinician the same year from which she trains jump rope judges at both national and international levels. From 2015 - 2019 Monica held the position of Tournament Director for World Jump Rope, also taking the position of Technical Committee Member for the International Jump Rope Union (IJRU) in 2018, with which she now holds the position of Tournament Director for IJRU World Championships, since the beginning of 2021.
