Regina’s Bateman joins BU soccer team
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One of the best players in Brandon University women’s soccer history is leaving the program with a parting gift.
Brogan Henry capped her Bobcats career as the final four MVP, leading the team to its third straight Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference title. Now, she has helped steer her cousin, Victoria Bateman, to the program.
“Being so close with her, I’ve gone to a lot of her youth games and some of her university games, and she’s a really good player, so it’s nice having her as an idol to look up to,” said Bateman, who got to watch the Bobcats when they played pre-season games against her hometown University of Regina Cougars.
Victoria Bateman of Regina has committed to the Brandon University women’s soccer team for the 2026 MCAC season. (Submitted)
The program has certainly benefited from Saskatchewan talent this decade, as a steady stream of players, including Henry, Kenadie Janzen, Tarin Ballan and Kylie van de Woestyne, have all been MCAC all-conference players.
BU head coach Diego Rodriguez Sr. has high hopes for Bateman.
“She’s a creative player. She’s really good with her feet,” Rodriguez Sr. said. “She always passes the ball to the gaps. She has a really good mentality about soccer.”
Bateman has been playing soccer her entire life, and with older brothers playing on elite teams, she was always motivated to do the same.
The midfielder helped the FC Regina Bluestars win a provincial championship in her last year of under-17 soccer, earning a trip to nationals in Kamloops, B.C.
While she has looked up to Henry for years, she doesn’t necessarily emulate the high-scoring Bobcat striker’s style.
“My game is more switching the field, making things happen with passing, seeing the vision of the field as well, being more of a playmaker,” Bateman said.
The Bobcats are graduating one of their largest groups yet, so plenty of starting spots will be up for grabs for Bateman and the rest of the rookie class, which includes Brandon’s Nicole Dyck and Virden goalkeeper Becca Collier.
“I’m super excited,” Bateman said.
“I really enjoy the school. They’ve got a really good business program as well as a sports administration program, too. Going to some of her games, I definitely liked the environment.
“I’ve just got to gear up for it. “
» tfriesen@brandonsun.com