 Woakes was born in March 1989 in Birmingham, and attended Barr Beacon Language College from 2000–2007.He began playing cricket when he was seven years old with Aston Manor Cricket Club.He played three games in the 2006 Minor Counties Trophy for Herefordshire County Cricket Club, and played for Warwickshire's under-15, under-17, Academy and Second XI teams between 2004 and 2007.