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Weekly Roundup
Weekly Roundup – May 14 – 20

Canadian U20 Women’s Rugby Team takes half in two-game series Elle Douglas, who hails from Saskatoon, joined Canada’s U20 women’s...

Saskatchewan Stories
Baer Robertson prioritizes the present

Familial support and staying focused on the present has become the formula to success for canoer Baer Robertson.  With parents...

News
Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network Welcomes New Cabinet Appointments

The Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COSPIN) warmly welcomes the appointment of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault as Minister...

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Weekly Roundup – May 7 – 13

Schenn, Canada strong start at 2025 IIHF World Championship Saskatoon-born forward, Brayden Schenn has joined Team Canada in their strong...

Event
Thriving Under Pressure: Self-Compassion Strategies for Athletes

Join CSCS for an interactive one-hour webinar on Zoom designed specifically for athletes who want to learn effective strategies to...

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Weekly Roundup – April 30 – May 6

Bronze for Canada at final stop of 2025 HSBC SVNS season Team Canada and Carissa Norsten are shining in bronze...

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Weekly Roundup – April 23 – 29

Stewart, Tarasoff conclude time at International Youth Diving Meet Two Saskatchewan divers wrapped their time at the International Youth Diving...

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Weekly Roundup – April 16-22

Canada secures silver at 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship Team Canada took home silver from the 2025 IIHF Women’s World...

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Weekly Roundup – April 9 – 15

Clark, Canada strong start at IIHF Women’s World Championship Saskatoon forward Emily Clark joined Team Canada for their strong start...

Event
KidSport Corporate Challenge Amazing Race

We're inviting CSCS athletes to team up and compete in the KidSport Corporate Challenge in Saskatoon (Thursday, May 29). The...

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Weekly Roundup – April 2 -8

Canada secures Olympic berth at World Men’s Curling Championship  Canada wrapped their time in Moose Jaw at the BKT World...

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Weekly Roundup – March 26 – April 1 

Hebert, Canada start strong at World Men's Curling Championship  Moose Jaw is hosting the BKT World Men's Curling Championship from...

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National Collaboration Secures $860,000 Grant to Improve Equipment Access for Canada’s Para Athletes

CALGARY — The Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN), the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC), and Red Deer Polytechnic...

Saskatchewan Stories
Schwinghammer secures World Circuit podium and much more 

Following a season of many firsts, Maia Schwinghammer is on the path to securing something much bigger.  After standing on...

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Weekly Roundup – March 19 – 25

Newman, Team Canada at the U15 Women’s Pan American Championship Regina softball player, Kenzie Newman is representing Team Canada at...

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Weekly Roundup – March 12 – 18

Crozon, Canada golden at FIBA 3x3 Champions Cup Canada brought the heat at the inaugural FIBA 3x3 Champions Cup in Bangkok,...

Weekly Roundup
Weekly Roundup – March 5 – 11

Dash dazzles in bronze at World Wheelchair Curling Championship Team Canada wrapped their time at the 2025 World Wheelchair Curling Championship...

Saskatchewan Stories
Empowerment begins with knowledge: Increasing the education surrounding female athletes in sport

The dialogue surrounding female participation in sport is in constant change, evolving as research continues to develop and provide further...

Weekly Roundup
Weekly Roundup – Feb. 26, March 4

Dash joins Canada at World Wheelchair Curling Championship Team Canada and Wolseley’s Gil Dash have had a mixed start to...

Weekly Roundup
Weekly Roundup – Feb. 19-25

Saskatchewan’s time is up at Scotties Tournament of Hearts Saskatchewan’s Team Nacy Martin wrapped their time at the 2025 Scotties...

Saskatchewan Stories

5 QUESTIONS WITH PARALYMPIC HOPEFUL SHELBY NEWKIRK

July 10, 2020

How’s training been going?

Training has been going really well. It has definitely changed due to COVID-19 and the pools being closed, but I’ve been able to try out some cross-training activities that I would not have tried otherwise, including rowing and hand cycling. I’ve also had to get really creative with ways to keep training at home, but it’s been a fun challenge.

You’re a top-level athlete, a university student and the owner of two businesses. How do you balance all those things?

It is definitely a balancing act and I’ve really had to work on my time management, but I absolutely love swimming and running the businesses so I make time for both. I will often be working on orders while traveling to competitions or training camps, and answering business emails and inquiries at the pool before practice. I’m someone that always likes to stay busy so I really like having so much on my plate.

What inspired you to create your two businesses Crafty Prairie Girl and Accessible Life?

I have wanted my own business for as long as I can remember. I have been crafting and making different creations since I was a kid and as I got older and my style became more defined, I decided to just go for it and share my creations with others by starting my own business. My favourite part of my Crafty Prairie Girl business is making cute creations that make others smile. I created my Accessible Life store to share products that I made to help me be more independent and to make life more accessible for others. I wanted to make products that are functional but also stylish.

You’re pursuing a major in physical education and you’re a coach with the Saskatoon Lasers swim club. What’s drawn you to these instructor/teaching roles?

I struggled a lot in school and always seemed to have to work way harder to do the same amount of work. As a result, I never enjoyed school that much and remember often being frustrated and discouraged when trying to learn. While this was a hard time for me, I learned a lot of strategies that worked for me and that I try to implement into my teaching/instructing for others that my be struggling like I did. Additionally, I want to work with schools to help make them more accessible for all students no matter their individual abilities or disabilities. Especially for physical education classes where students with disabilities are often left out or not included in meaningful ways.

With all these different things on your plate, what do you do to relax and have a break?

I’ve always been someone that likes to keep busy and find it difficult to slow down or relax, but every day I take time to do something that is relaxing in my own way. Often I will do some designing, listen to some of my favourite music and light one of my favourite candles. Even when I’m relaxing, I’m still typically doing multiple things at once, but I try to do things that I don’t have to do but am simply doing because it is something I enjoy. Everything I do I love so much, but I find it is still super important to take breaks and to challenge yourself by trying new things and doing different projects in order to avoid burn out or losing my love of everything I do.