Malvernians have always embraced challenge, and few have done so with the resilience and determination of Ricky Ellcock. From the cricket fields of Malvern College to the flight decks of Virgin Atlantic, his journey is one of ambition, perseverance, and breaking barriers. A gifted fast bowler, Ricky’s reputation in his home country of Barbados quickly grew, earning him a scholarship to the College at just 15. His cricketing talent saw him play for Worcestershire, Middlesex and England, only for injury to strike at the cruellest moment. Forced to rethink his future, Ricky turned to his childhood passion – aviation. Relocating to the USA, he retrained as a commercial pilot, and in doing so, made history
as Virgin Atlantic’s first black captain.
His story, told in his autobiography Balls to Fly, is as inspiring as it is unflinching. From being driven to school by the Prime Minister of Barbados to navigating US airspace just before the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Ricky’s life has been a testament to resilience. He has faced and overcome prejudice, battled life-threatening illness – undergoing four emergency brain operations in just eight weeks – and has emerged with a story of remarkable endurance. A pioneer in both sport and aviation, Ricky’s legacy is one of courage and determination, making him a true role model for Malvernians past and present.
