Dream Like Me: South Asian Football Trailblazers
Manisha Tailor
Category: Children's/Teenage Non-Fiction
ABOUT THE BOOK
There remains a lack of representation from the South Asian community across all levels of football, despite it being one of the largest ethnic minority groups to be living in the UK. In this first of its kind book, trailblazing coach Manisha Tailor profiles 42 pioneering individuals working in all parts of the game – from male and female players to coaches, referees, board members, administrators, sports scientists and medical staff – and representing different cultures and faiths within the British Asian community.
Based on interviews, these powerful stories not only illustrate the challenges faced by these role models, but lessons that they can offer young readers. Young people need to see people like them in order to believe that dreams are possible: the role models in this inspirational book will show South Asian children and teens that their football dreams can come true.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Manisha Tailor, MBE, is the Assistant Head of Coaching (U9-U16) QPR Football Club, and the only person of South Asian heritage to hold such a position in the English professional game. Manisha has a background in primary education and trained as a headteacher before embarking on a career in football. She is the founder of Swaggarlicious an organisation that uses football and education to engage with Black, Asian, Minority groups and women, works with Show Racism the Red Card delivering anti-racism workshops, and holds an advisory role as vice-chair (coaching) on the British Asians in Sport and Physical Activity board. In 2017 she received an MBE for services to football and diversity in sport.
Manisha is one of thirty trailblazing sportswomen named on the BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour Power List 2023: Women in Sport.
REVIEW
‘Manisha Tailor’s trailblazing exploits and resilience can inspire others to pursue their ambitions within the game and help to continue the progress of underrepresented communities’ Chris Ramsey, Technical Director, Queens Park Rangers
‘A fantastic resource for any classroom! Compelling lessons promoting mental health and resilience in young people through the diverse world of football’
Florence Bauhofer
‘Through the likes of Manisha and others sharing their experiences, they will inspire the next generation of South Asian girls and boys to participate in football, and hopefully help them better understand that there are increasing opportunities for involvement in the game they love both on and off the pitch. I am honoured to know Manisha’
Rachel Pavlou, FA Women’s Development Manager – Diversity & Inclusion
‘Manisha Tailor has been one of Show Racism the Red Card's leading education workers over several years, acting also as a mentor and role model to the young people she comes across in her work. I too continue to be inspired by Manisha and am delighted with this wonderful book which is full of many other people of South Asian descent whose stories also deserve to be heard’ Steve Goodsell, Show Racism the Red Card
‘ We enjoyed how culturally diverse the book is and the detail into the characters own struggles throughout the plot. We like how the story remained interesting while also being educational. Manisha Tailor uses the influence of football in aspects of the different characters’ lives leaving a strong impression on the reader, making the book interesting and appealing to all ages and ethnicities’
The Reading Pioneers, Northampton International Academy
'Dream Like Me by Manisha Tailor (Hope Road) features 42 profiles of South Asian football trailblazers. Tailor, assistant head of coach of QPR’s under 16s, interviews pioneering individuals working at every level of the game – male and female players, coaches, referees, board members, administrators, sports scientists and medical staff. Their stories illustrate the challenges faced and feature great advice for young Asian football fanatics who dream of making a career in football.' Big Issue North