JAY VILLIERS

Jay is an ECB Level 2 qualified cricket coach with over a decade of experience coaching junior cricketers across clubs, schools, borough programmes, and county pathways. He is passionate about creating safe, engaging and development-focussed environments for young players.

He has coached extensively at club level, working with Alexandra Park CC (2011–2015), North London CC (2015–2021), and Highgate CC (2021–2025), coaching age groups from Under 10 through to Under 15. Alongside this, he has served as Lead Coach for the East London Boroughs Under 15 programme (2021–2025), contributing to the development of players within the county pathway.

Since 2021, Jay has been a regular freelance coach with JDS Cricket Coaching, delivering group sessions, 1-to-1 coaching, and year-round programmes. He has also coached at JDS residential camps in Monmouth (2022, 2024, and 2025). In addition, Jay has worked as a freelance coach in primary schools and holiday camps for Middlesex in the Community (2023–2025), broadening access to high-quality cricket coaching.

Away from coaching, Jay trained as an actor at The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and has worked extensively in theatre, film, television, and radio. This background strongly influences his coaching style, particularly in communication, confidence building, and player engagement. As a player, he has represented Middlesex Seniors, North London CC, Highgate CC, and various invitational and occasional sides, including the Royal Shakespeare Company XI.

Jay has observed and worked alongside a number of highly regarded coaches, including Catherine Dalton, Ian Pont, Laura de Silva, Johan de Silva, and Damo Wilson, and continues to develop his coaching through collaboration, reflection, and ongoing learning. His coaching philosophy centres on helping players enjoy the game while building strong fundamentals, resilience, and a love for cricket that lasts beyond the boundary.