Nattasha Shpak is a 13-year-old Grade 8 student at H.S. Paul School. She is avery good student and her favourite class is science.

“I really like science,” she says. “I like how it is difficult and also very fun with all of the things there are to learn.”

Precision is very important in science, and precision is also very important in Nattasha’s sport of choice.

It is pretty mind-blowing to see the success Nattasha has enjoyed in archery, especially given the fact that she only took it up three years ago.

“My dad is a bow hunter and I thought it was really interesting,” she says, recalling how she got her start. “He took me to Heartland Archery for a lesson. I kept going to my lessons and got better and better. He bought me a hunting bow and I kept taking lessons. He then bought me a target bow. I am still using that target bow now.”

Nattasha is a member of the 2017-18 provincial target archery team. In her first year in the program, Nattasha won first place at the 2017 Manitoba Indoor Championships; finished fourth at the 2017 Indoor Championships of the Americas; 10th at the 2017 Canadian Indoor Regional Championships, and currently Nattasha is ranked first with Archery Canada in the compound cub women category.

“You have to work hard at your goals,” Nattasha says. “You are never at your best; you can always improve and practise. A part of the sport I really enjoy is meeting new people.”
Nattasha is very thankful for the position she is in.

“One of my goals is to get on the Elite team for Team Manitoba. I am on the developmental team right now,” she says. “I am very thankful for my parents. I wouldn’t be where I am without them, without their support and love.”

Nattasha lives in St. Vital with dad Kevin, mom Stacy, brother Matthew and sister Brittney.
Nattasha is very dedicated to being the best she can be, and there is little doubt she will continue to find great success.

Nattasha had this advice for young athletes:

“Work hard and keep on going. If there are people who are better than you, train with these people. They will help to make you better.”

Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Troy Westwood is co-host of The Big Show, every weekday morning from 6 to 10 a.m. on TSN 1290 radio. He writes about Winnipeg’s unsung sports heroes every other week in the Canstar Community News weeklies. If you know of an athlete whose story Troy should tell, contact him at: troy.westwood@bellmedia.ca

Read more by Troy Westwood.