Mills makes most of opportunities in sport

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This article was published 27/03/2025 (250 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Less than a year ago Kateri Mills faced a fork in the road.

After the crushing feeling of not making the roster for the debut season of the Brandon U18 female AAA Wheat Kings, she faced a choice of either dwelling in the negative or using it as fuel and turning it into a positive.

And she’s being rewarded for the path she chose.

“Honestly, I was never cut from a team before until I got to my first level of U18,” said Mills.

“I learned that it’s not always easy, so you have to work for what you want. After the first year I was cut I started going to the gym regularly, I started practising like I would play in a game… and I just wanted to make the best of what I can and play whatever I can.

“I made time for what I wanted to be doing rather than looking at it and complaining.”

And to think this time last year, the possibility of her athletic career was nearing an end, but as it turns out it’s just another beginning.

Following this season, in which she played goaltender for the Vincent Massey boy’s second hockey team as well as a girl’s house league team, the wing on the Vikings girl’s basketball team, all over the pitch in rugby and the diamond in softball, as well as competing in multiple disciplines in track and field, she made her national championship debut on Wednesday.

You guessed it. In broomball, of all sports.

Following a 20-hour bus ride, the soon-to-be high school grad is competing in her first national championship at the U20 broomball championship with Team Manitoba in Val d’Or, Que.

“I really enjoy it. There’s lots of contact, so it’s kind of like a mix between hockey and rugby,” Mills said of the game that is played on ice but in shoes rather than skates.

The sport has a rich history in Manitoba but historically has been confined to recreation and physical education settings, rather than competitive environments.

Similar to hockey, but players use sticks that resemble a broom while pursuing a rubber, six-inch ball rather than a puck.

The goal is still the same, to put the ball in the opponent’s net by almost any means necessary, minus similar infractions to hockey like tripping and slashing.

“It combines my running and rugby skills while being able to be very physical,” said Mills, but also pointed out competing in her first national championship in more of a niche sport has fuelled her competitive drive.

“I am a very, very competitive person. I just like to show my best. I think in order to show your best you need to be competitive. I want people to see what I can do,” Mills said.

It’s a wonder she has time, considering her many athletic pursuits, but somehow manages to also maintain a solid academic record.

It seems fitting that the hard-working — and now hard-hitting — forward for Team Toba is making the switch to a new position as well.

Mills was recruited to the provincial broomball team because they needed a goalie.

Her background in hockey translated to the sport, but the team found an experienced broomball goalie. While Mills’ services as a backstop were no longer needed, her athleticism made her an asset they couldn’t part with, and her perseverance is now being rewarded.

“This team is very inclusive, it’s like a family and supportive of each other,” said Mills.

“It was very difficult at first because I’ve been a goalie since I was four years old. Learning the positioning and where to be was a challenge at first but once I started to get the hang of it it became easier once I started to get where to be.”

Team Toba opened broom ball nationals Wednesday with a 6-0 loss in its opener before a 3-1 loss to close the day.

They play two more today with the hopes of qualifying for the playoff round.

Regardless the outcome, you can bet Mills will play with nothing but energy and optimism, which she will most certainly take into the next step of her athletic journey.

She’s been recruited to play for the Brandon University Bobcats women’s rugby team next year and will hit the next stage with the same attitude.

“She caught my eye right away because she’s a very good, multi-sport athlete,” said BU women’s rugby coach Brian Yon.

“Her speed on the field stood out immediately, but her aggression as well, which can sometimes be a difficult adjustment for players who are new to the sport.

“Sometimes it takes a little while to get used to the game but with her aggression it doesn’t seem so at all,” Yon added.

“Mix that in with her athleticism, and we feel that we’re getting a real good player and a quality person as well.”

Tangibles like Mills’ perseverance combined with her academic performance and multi-pursuit approach makes Yon believe she’ll be a great addition to the growing rugby program at BU.

“We’re really about building a positive culture within the team and that starts with good people,” said Yon.

“You can shape people into being good rugby players, but with Kateri she’s shown her work ethic and positive attitude she will be a good addition. I’m confident she’ll add to the positive culture within our program.”

Mills will continue to train this summer and into her first year of university in the fall.

Regardless the outcome, you can bet she’ll power down the path of her athletic journey with even more ferocity and heart than ever before, proving one of the oldest adages in sport to be true: It’s not about how you start, nor about the result, it’s making the most of the journey along the way.

» mpackwood@brandonsun.com