(Amelia Derk will be representing Canada at the August 2026 F-Class World Championships being held in England. Amelia has had a fascination with professional shooting since she was seven years old. Photos: provided by the Derk family.)
Local athlete, Amelia Derk, is making her debut on the national team as she competes in competitive shooting at the August 2026 F-Class World Championships in Bisley, United Kingdom. Not only is she part of Canada’s national team – she made history at age 16 by becoming the first female and youngest individual ever to win the Ontario F-Class Lieutenant Governor’s Championship (Long Range Aggregate) this past summer. Amelia will be one of two females competing for Canada and the only team member under 25. She feels extremely proud and excited to represent her country.
Amelia attended A. Lorne Cassidy Elementary School and now goes to South Carleton High School where she maintains Honour Roll status as a Silver Medal student. She’s always been athletic – swimming, attending camps, wrestling, and playing basketball in the Western Ottawa Basketball Association league. In addition, she plays piano and works at the Stittsville Shooting Range (SSR).
At just seven years old, Amelia developed an interest in rifle shooting when she began practicing for fun with her Dad at SSR. It was in 2024 that she became more dedicated and started using her Dad’s F-Open rifle at the range. After mastering tiny target groups at 300 yards lost its thrill, Amelia transitioned to long-range target shooting known as F-Class, where participants aim for a 5″ bullseye from 1000 yards (900 meters) away. The gun she uses is quite heavy, weighing up to 22 lbs.! While she doesn’t own a gun yet, she does have her Possession and Acquisition License.
During the 2025 Canada Nationals, she connected with several members of the Canada F-Open team. They kept an eye on her performance throughout the match and invited her to join a team practice right after Nationals concluded. She felt right at home with them and was welcomed onto the team then.
Facing competitors of all ages, 16-year-old Amelia has achieved several other impressive milestones:
At the Ontario Provincial Fullbore Championship, she led everyone with the highest v-bull (i. e., bullseye) count in ten out of seventeen events. She earned both Top Woman and Top Junior accolades for F-Open/F-Class at three major competitions (Provincials, Nationals, and Victoria Day) this past summer. Recently, she was named an Ottawa Sports Award winner for being the city’s top amateur shooting athlete in 2025. (The award ceremony is set for February 4, 2026.)
An enthusiastic Amelia told Stittsville Central: “I started practicing in August 2024 just before my first small competition in September 2024. I only began participating in larger competitions this past summer. Rising to this level (Worlds) this quickly was unexpected. I’m honoured to represent Canada in England and I’m very excited. Going to England this summer will be my first time outside North America and I couldn’t think of a better reason than competing at my first World Championships there. My Dad introduced me to this sport and it has been such an amazing experience so far! The F-Class community is filled with friendly and supportive people. I can’t wait to create more memories with my Dad by my side.”
At the upcoming 73rd annual Ottawa Sports Awards on February 4th-where they celebrate excellence within Ottawa’s amateur sports community-Amelia will be recognized as a winner of a Individual Sport Award for Shooting in 2025. On their website about OSA they state:
Shooting – Amelia Derk: Amelia made history this year by becoming both first female and youngest person ever to win Ontario’s F-Class Lieutenant Governor’s Championship (Long Range Aggregate). At Ontario Provincial Fullbore Championship events-she led with highest v-bull counts across ten out of seventeen events! Also earning Top Woman & Top Junior recognition during Provincials & Nationals along with Victoria Day competitions.
To help cover costs related towards attending these World Championships; currently Amelia is involved raising funds through ongoing bottle drives along homemade food sales plus personalized pen selling-with even more activities planned ahead! Her next fundraising event includes puzzle competitions (where participants race against each other completing identical mystery jigsaw puzzles) scheduled Saturday March seventh inside Upstairs Hall located within Johnny Leroux Stittsville Community Arena (10 Warner-Colpitts Lane).
Congratulations Amelia! The residents here are cheering you on as we witness history when you compete overseas!
If you’d like more information or want support towards helping her attend those World Championships please check out Amelia’s website here: https://ameliaderkfclass. ca/.
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