New Delhi: Vimal Yoganathan has earned a name for himself and at just 18 years of age he is making waves in the world of professional football as the first Tamil player to compete in England. His journey from a small village in north Wales to the pitches of Barnsley is not just a personal achievement but it also represents a significant milestone for South Asian athletes in a sport where they are vastly underrepresented. When he was just eight he was scouted by his boyhood club Liverpool and later on he joined Barnsley’s under-16. The midfielder is known for his agility, strong mentality, and proficiency with both feet.
Vimal’s emergence is a beacon of hope for aspiring players from similar backgrounds. As he steps into the limelight, Vimal is poised to inspire a new generation of footballers.
View this post on Instagram
Breaking barriers in football
As Vimal progresses in his career he is acutely aware of the importance of his role as a pioneer for Tamil and South Asian players in England. With only a handful of professional athletes sharing his background, Vimal emphasizes the need for representation in football. “Being a role model will be a big part of being a footballer,” he asserts highlighting his aspiration to motivate younger players and particularly those from Tamil communities.
The statistics underscore the challenges faced by players from South Asian heritage in the UK. In 2023, there were only 22 professional players aged 17 or over across in the England’s top four leagues. There are only about 5,000 South Asian professional footballers in UK constituting just 1% of the total professional footballers.
Despite these hurdles Vimal remains optimistic about the positive changes in the sport especially with initiatives like the Asian Inclusion Mentoring Scheme launched in 2021 played a key role in his growth as well. He says, “It shows me how many brown players there are in the game, and it’s grown as well – it’s good to see.”
Overcoming stereotype pressure
The club’s academy director Bobby Hassel said that when he joined the club as 15-year-old his aggression and tackling skills stood out from the others. Barnsley’s sporting director Mladen Sormaz describes him as “humble” guy.
View this post on Instagram
Hassel also disclosed that he was well aware about the extra pressure Vimal had to deal with, stating there is a stereotype that British Asian parents prefer their children to focus on their school work more as even put in so many hours, but there’s no guarantee of success. Vimal credits his family for their unwavering support, saying, “Being a footballer wasn’t only my dream – it was also theirs.”
Vimal’s journey is one of perseverance and determination. He has played against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, proving his readiness for bigger stages. As he hones his skills, Vimal Yoganathan embodies a new era for South Asian footballers paving the way for future generations.
