Congratulations to the three winners from Middlesex who we're recognised in the 2025 ECB Coaches Awards.
Coach of the Year - Jay Villiers (East London Boroughs)
“Jay has delivered coaching all across Middlesex in 2025, with his most notable work taking place in ELB Borough Cricket. Since becoming involved following his son's last game in 2020, he has shaped and developed the U15 borough programme and always goes above and beyond in his delivery both to the boys and their parents sourcing additional training for them, showing unwavering commitment to attend their games, regardless of the location, and has created an amazing environment in which the boys feel positive, valued and able to thrive on the pitch.
Results have also gone Jay's way this year in particular, which is testament to his hard work. As well as his role with ELB, he has other roles at recreational level, coaching his club side to an U12 divisional title, as well as supporting the delivery of Middlesex in the Community work both in schools through Chance to Shine programmes, and also supporting in other areas such as Super 1s and Cricket Cities. A real all-rounder, both as a coach and a person, who is wholly deserving of this accolade.”
Young Coach of the Year - Anisha Dissanayake (Mill Hill Finches CC)
“Anisha Dissanayake at Mill Hill Finches has taken the parents and daughters from a group of girls to U9/10/11/12 cricket playing teams. She plays for Middlesex and has been studying for a degree and making time to support and coach the girls and arrange matches in the last two years with winter and summer training sessions.
"She is an amazing role model for the girls. She is always positive and encouraging. She also managed to give them an identity arranging the design of team shirts. All the girls feel like they belong and wear it with pride. They thoroughly enjoy their training sessions and games. Setting up the team with girls across Mill Hill CC and Finchley CC was Anisha's idea and she has done something fantastic for girls' cricket whilst devoting a lot of her time for the good of the girls whilst managing her own training schedule and games with Middlesex, as well as her university and now working life with a new job.”
Outstanding contribution - services to coaching - Stuart Stanley (Botany Bay CC)
“Stuart has been running or actively involved in colts cricket for over 40 years. Stuart has been involved in Botany Bay colts' coaching for 30 years and prior to that 10 years at Eton Ramblers, Essex. At Botany Bay, Stuart has coached all age groups and the All Stars and also managed the whole colts' section. He has been most recently responsible for the U8s where he has imparted a passion for the game whilst teaching cricket techniques essential for a successful playing or coaching career. He performs year after year and is now well into his retirement. Generations of boys and girls have benefited from his patience, planning and an excellent collection of drills. Stuart's lifetime of commitment to colts coaching would make him a suitable winner of such a coveted award.”
