"I never wanted to be anything other than a footballer" - How one teacher impacted Mady Villiers' journey

England bowler Mady Villiers reflects on her time at Shenfield High School, the state institution which set her on the path to her cricket career

Cricket careers are packed with sliding door moments. Batsmen reflect ruefully over their choice of shot; bowlers curse themselves for sending down a particular delivery.

Ultimately, though, there is no way of knowing exactly what might have otherwise happened. Had you left that ball alone and not nicked it behind, there is every chance the next one would have sent you back to the pavilion anyway.

However, in the case of England off-spinner Mady Villiers, she knows exactly what would have happened had she had made a different decision. If she had not attended Shenfield High School, she would never have become a professional cricketer.

“I had never played cricket before I joined the school, and I didn’t even know there was an England Women’s team,” the 21-year-old tells The Cricketer.

“Back then I used to play football and I was part of the Colchester United Centre of Excellence. Football meant everything to me. I don’t think I had a dress until I was 15 and I would wear tracksuits and astros whenever I left the house,” she explains.

The home of some of English cricket’s greatest names, many know Essex as one of the game’s national hotbeds but, as is the case across most of the UK, football is king and other sports have to tussle in its wake.

The county is home to Colchester United but also a dedicated West Ham fanbase, and both clubs have developed pathway systems into the women’s game. Girls can see where their talent might take them and it is enticing.

“Football was my life and I never wanted to be anything other than a footballer.”

^{Originally a batter, Villiers has developed into one of the country's finest spin bowlers}

It was at this point that Villiers joined Shenfield High in Year Seven, a non-selective state school with superb sports facilities. Part of the reason for choosing the school was that many of Villiers’ teammates at the Colchester academy were joining too, such was the quality of the school’s football academy.

But it was director of sport Garry Sapsford who saw Villiers’ potential and put a cricket ball in her hand.

“Garry knew I was willing to play any sport. I would do everything, table tennis, badminton, basketball, but netball not so much, it wasn’t my kind of thing.

“At the start I wasn’t the best cricketer, so I didn’t like it. It also wasn’t the same as football. I missed slide-tackling people and getting aggressive. It sometimes drives me crazy how competitive I am. But I realised how skilled cricket is and I loved that side of it.”

Villiers’ natural sporting talent began to shine through and it is no accident that Sapsford was able to pick her out as a cricketer.

“I’ve never met a man more enthusiastic about sport in general, let alone cricket,” she recalls. “He lives and breathes the game. It was thanks to him that I got into the cricket team and I haven’t looked back since.”

Despite picking up wickets with her off-spin, Villiers hasn’t always been a twirler.

“I used to bat and bowl a bit of seam. But when I got into the Essex side – as a batter, there wasn’t a spin bowler. As the young one (only 12 at the time) I drew the short straw and had to bowl off-spin. I can’t imagine bowling seam up now.”

But that doesn’t mean Villiers put her batting to one side.

“My first ever big score was in the Essex County Cup semi-final. I was on 98 but was out stone-cold lbw. However, Garry was umpiring the other end and didn’t move an inch!

“One hundred per cent he knew I was out; it was so obvious that I should have walked. Fortunately, it didn’t influence the final result. I went on to get 106 not out and we won the match, and then went on to win the final. But it was fitting that Garry was at the other end for my first century.”

The decision had little impact on the game but an immeasurable impact on the individual. Confidence is key and there is nothing that boosts a young batsman more than scoring a hundred. It is in an instance like this that highlights quite what it means to coach at school level.

Villiers and Sapsford still have a close relationship and are in regular contact.

^{Villiers has now establised herself in the England side}

“Whenever I come back from tour and have some spare kit, I’ll always run it down to him,” she says as she remembers the huge bag of England stash that she is currently unable to hand over.

“He always says if I ever need anything he’ll be on the end of the phone which I really appreciate. He messages me after games and will always be the first one to retweet or share anything that comes up about me on social media.

“He’s immensely proud of anyone who does well from Shenfield. No matter how long ago you were there he will always give that support.”

The support that Sapsford shows to all who play cricket at Shenfield High is there for all to see. He has worked tirelessly to build the girls’ cricket programme with Villiers adding that, “the girls’ set up is brilliant thanks to Garry. It is so inclusive and he puts just as much emphasis for both the boys and the girls.”

The quality of the programme allowed Villiers to develop and it wasn’t long before she was included in the boys’ teams.

“I would sometimes prefer playing with the boys because at times it was more competitive. I loved bowling them out as well, they would hate it and walk off in a right storm,” Villiers adds.

Aside from game management and technical ability, it is also clear that Sapsford has instilled a rational approach into his players, so they can go out and perform the best they can.

“I don’t tend to get nervous before games. I take cricket very seriously but it’s not the be all and end all. I try and stay level-headed. I was nervous before my England debut and the T20 World Cup as well but I try and treat each match as just another game.”

2020 would have been a busy summer for Villiers, representing England and Trent Rockets in The Hundred. It is safe to say, however, that she won’t forget how she got there.

“I go back when I can to help out with sessions, and when the lockdown is over, I’ll definitely be back,” she explains. “I like doing stuff with the younger groups because you can help them a lot more. Cricket is now a viable career option for girls and I want them to know they can go on and do it.

“I want to help out as much as I can because Shenfield High was a massive influence on me. If I went to a different school, I don’t think I would be playing cricket today. I don’t know what I would be doing but it wouldn’t be cricket.

“My career has been paved around my secondary school development. What Shenfield High and Garry have done, not just for myself but everyone else to have come out of the school, has given me all the skills I need. Not just for my cricket career but also to handle normal day-to-day life.

“But ultimately I owe Garry a lot, because he was the first person to put a cricket ball in my hand.”

Through talent, determination and commitment, Villiers has already achieved a huge amount in her short career to date. It is strange to think how different everything could have been – Colchester’s loss has been England’s gain.

The Cricketer would like to thank Durant Cricket for their ongoing support of our schools cricket coverage. For more on Durant Cricket, including booking a site visit, please click here