The making of Reece Topley

The Cricketer speaks to Reece Topley and his father, former Essex bowler Don, as they reflect on the left-armer's school days at Royal Hospital School

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Reece Topley has established himself as one of the most fearsome left-arm bowlers on the county circuit. Further to this, his drive to come back from potentially career-ending injury to wrestle his way back into the national set-up is admirable and impressive in equal measure. 

Bowlers like Topley don’t just accidentally become this way. They persevere and push their bodies in ways that bodies shouldn’t be pushed. All to perfect the craft of getting a leather ball exactly where they want to, 22 yards away. 

Despite being only 27, it feels as though Topley is a seasoned veteran, such is the enormity of the comeback he has already had to undergo, but the Topley story began before the days of a rapid teenage bowler knocking poles over for Essex. It began, in part, at Royal Hospital School, in Holbrook just outside Ipswich where for the fast bowler, cricket was just a bit of fun, exactly as it should be. 

“My five years at RHS were an amazing experience that I look back on so fondly,” Topley tells The Cricketer. “The people were what made it, they were unbelievable. I made friends for life.” 

Topley arrived aged 13 as a talented sportsman, the genes of his former first-class cricketer father Don certainly would have helped, and by his own admission he “picked up sports pretty quickly. 

“I remember playing hockey for the first time at the school trials. Then the second time I ever played was at the county trials.” 

Athletics was another sport in which Topley excelled. That he was talented in particular in the hurdles and discus showed he didn’t just possess one attribute, such as speed or strength, he had them both. 

He quickly accelerated beyond his age-group and was soon part of the school 1st XI, as well as the Essex 2nd XI, aged just 15. 

Topley Sr was the master in charge of cricket at the time, and spent 23 years in the role, so was well-qualified to know that his son was well-equipped for senior action. 

^{Topley in action for RHS}

“He took to it like a duck to water,” Don explains. “We had a very fine 1st XI side with a strong bowling attack, which Reece opened.”

But despite the excitement surrounding Topley he remained grounded and focussed. The focus wasn’t necessarily cricket either, “I like schedules. You put something in front of me and I just do it. I take everything head on.” 

RHS ensured a full education, both sporting and academic, but remained supportive of his cricket career. This support was most evident when a clash between school and Essex duty inevitably occurred. 

“There was a game against Middlesex on the same day I had a Business Studies exam,” Reece remembers. “So I took the exam at 7am, finished at 9 and got to Chelmsford at half ten to open the bowling!” 

Many would find this juggling act daunting but the support was there from the school. 

“I had a headmaster who was sport-mad. He really encouraged me, though it may have been because he wanted some free tickets in the future!” 

The support from the school didn’t stop at Howard Blackett, the headmaster. It also extended to Reece’s housemaster, Andy Wynn, and tutor, Piet du Toit. 

At boarding schools, the roles of housemaster and tutor are essential, as they provide the paternal care and as Don explains, “oversee pupils’ academia as well as helping them become the best person they can be. 

“Reece’s relationship with these two people were hugely important in his day-to-day life,” Don adds. “It’s a hugely busy school which is a great asset but you have to have people help manage his time. Sometimes he would fail to do some homework on time but having the tutor oversee that they could negotiate with the teacher to allow an extra day to complete the work. 

“He would go on tour with Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara with Essex, but then the next day be back at school and have to be in bed at a certain time. Mentally that could be tough to get your head around but he had people to help him cope.” 

In addition to all of Reece’s sporting endeavours he had a gym programme to follow and also other passions. 

“Reece used to like drama. He was behind the stage doing all kinds of things making sure the production unfolded. He also likes film, crikey, I don’t know many people who watch as many films as he does. 

“He was very much encouraged to pursue those hobbies at RHS. As a full boarding, seven days a week, school, the amount of activities on offer are unbelievable.”

For more information about Royal Hospital School visit www.royalhospitalschool.org or call 01473 326 200