19-year-old Singaporean Women’s Footballer – Ms Yasmin Namira Binte Mohammad Yusman has been accepted by Graceland University, United States, on a 4-year Football Scholarship Scheme.
She will major in Psychology and Criminal Justice and turn out for the university’s team, the Graceland Yellowjackets. Her new team competes in the Heart of America Athletic Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
The Yellowjackets will kick off their pre-season roster with a match against the Bellevue Bruins in August.
Junpiter Futbol got the opportunity to catch up with one of our nation’s brightest young talents in the women’s game before she embarks on her new adventure.
A LATE START
Yasmin could be described as a late bloomer as she only transitioned to playing football competitively 3 years ago when she enrolled into Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) for a Diploma in Nursing.
Previously she played floorball and hockey for Tanjong Katong Secondary School.
She credits her progress to the guidance of her coaches and it is the camaraderie she shares with her teammates that swayed her decision to stick with football.
“I fell in love with the game because of how my coaches carry out training sessions; I really love the game as a sport, I spend a lot of time thinking about it and watching it too.”
EARLY SETBACKS
“I tried out for the national squad early in my football career but was rejected; that was a huge setback for me but in fairness, there were many better players and my lack of experience was a major consideration”
“I told myself to keep going and to focus on improving myself. I’m more of a visual learner and did my best to observe other players who are of a higher standard and take lessons from there”
“I remember joining a team from the East but didn’t get to play until the second last game of the season and only for 3 minutes. The coach sent me on but told me to try to not touch the ball as much as possible”
“That was a shocking moment for me; but from then on, I sat beside my coaches during games and learned from their instructions to other players”
PLAYING CATCH-UP
“I wouldn’t describe myself as a good player, but I’m someone who doesn’t give up easily. I’m not afraid of critiques and feedback from other coaches or players as I feel that’s the best way I improve”
“I draw strength from my work ethic; I recognise that I have to work harder than others to prove myself”
Yasmin plays the role of a combative midfielder or a centre-back for her teams, her ability to quickly switch mindset from defence to attack is a valuable commodity in today’s fast-transition pressing game.
THE SYSTEM
“My journey through the Singapore Women’s Football system was tough; I often felt marginalised as they prefer to select from a narrow group of players”
“My opinion is the scouting net is not cast wide enough to unearth more local talents”
“The system seems to be skewed towards players who were identified from an early age and are missing out on players who can be described as ‘late bloomers’ or players who display incremental progress through the age groups as compared to early promise”
GRACELAND UNIVERSITY, IOWA
“I’ve always been intrigued by the American college admission system I saw in movies and wanted to find out more. Sports seemed a big part of college life and I wanted to experience that”
“Putri Nur Syaliza’s move to Cumberland University was an inspiration and I went to several university recruitment fairs to find out more, only to be told it was unrealistic”
Undeterred, Yasmin started making showcase videos of her games and sending them out along with her entry applications.
“I didn’t expect anything at all but got several offers instead. I eventually chose the Graceland Yellowjackets as their team share a lot of similarities with my NYP team; a team spirit that made me fell in love with the game in the first place”
WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS
“I’m looking forward to playing for Graceland, do my very best and see how far that takes me”
“The women’s football game is growing really fast globally and I hope one day we can achieve equality in terms of recognition and exposure as the men’s game”
A POSITIVE FUTURE FOR SINGAPORE WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
“I hope to see the scouting net cast wider as I know a lot of talented players that fall under the radar as the path is not immediately clear how they can get noticed; they drop out from the sport from this lack of support and structure”
“Trials are not very widely publicised and the increase in talent numbers can only be a positive effect for the game as a whole here”
“Our national team has many fantastic players with good character at this moment but I feel more there’s a lot of room to grow for the future of women’s football here”
“There can be a lot more done in youth development; we can have more women’s football clubs playing that role”
“My current club – Ayer Rajah Gryphons Football Club’s youth development has contributed a lot to my growth”
“More primary schools can start women’s football teams”
A ROLE MODEL
“I would like to share my message with other players or younger players who love football: regardless of what level you are at, stay humble and keep pushing towards your dreams”
“They can definitely look me up and I can share my personal experiences with them”
Follow her journey and adventures in the United States via her Instagram page: @yasminnamira03
THE NIGHTINGALE
In nursing, a “Nightingale” is used to describe “an individual who is a dedicated pioneer, innovative with an enquiring mind, who inspires others and goes beyond the call of duty”
During the course of this interview, we found Yasmin to be a very grounded, soft-spoken individual but with a inner steel and a hunger to improve that we feel would get her far in the modern game.
We wish Yasmin the very best in her endeavours ahead and just like our other wunderkinds Putri Nur Syaliza and Danelle Tan, the team at Junpiter Futbol will surely be following her story closely.
*** Yasmin is currently seeking further financial assistance with her living expense while pursuing her studies and would appreciate any form of contributions.
If you’re interested in supporting our Singaporean athlete, you can reach her directly via email: Yasmin.namira@icloud.com
All photos courtesy of Yasmin Namira
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