Interview with Garvin Warwick

After being a basketball player for 10 years, Garvin Warwick (Class of 1997) joined the Fatima College basketball program in 2010 as a way to start giving back to his alma mater. He was Assistant Head Coach for two years before Fr. Gregory asked him to spearhead the program in 2012.

While the College has won 10 divisional titles, Fatima captured its first-ever National Basketball Championship silverware in the 2023 season. The National Championships Competition was resumed in 2023 after a 10-year hiatus. The Under-15s went undefeated for the entire season and were crowned National Under-15 Champions; the Under-17s also went undefeated for the season, eventually crowned National Champions. In 2024, Fatima captured titles in the Under-15, Under-17 and Under-20 divisions.

Garvin has held many leadership positions in sport including Executive Member of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (April 2013–November 2017), President of the National Basketball Federation of Trinidad and Tobago (March 2014–January 2016), and Advisor to the Minster of Sport and Youth (March 2016–April 2018).

With the need for showcasing the talent of the Caribbean, Garvin and his team established the company “Next Level Performance TT” (NPL) in 2022, with the aim of bridging the gap between Caribbean athletes and the US and Canadian Collegiate systems and coaches. Their mission is to assist student athletes to build a profile that is detailed for College and University scouts. NLP also assists with scholarship preparation and opportunities for Caribbean Athletes. https://nextlevelperformancett.com/

Garvin was involved as well in the formation of Spartans TT Sports Club, an organisation which helps in cultivating the athletic potential of young aspiring athletes in Trinidad and Tobago. https://www.facebook.com/SpartansTT

Q. Why did you select Fatima?

My two older brothers Nicholas and Garth Warwick attended Fatima College. Being a younger sibling, in Primary School I attended all the Intercol matches and became a Fatima fan.

Q. How was your experience at Fatima––pleasant and/or non-pleasant; worst mischief,

Fatima College days were the best days of my life. I tell stories to my players all the time. I accredit my willingness to give back to Fatima College to Fr Gregory Augustine and and Mrs Hubbard, because they saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself, and they gave me opportunities to lead and manage the basketball Form 1 League as well as other activities at the College.

Q. What sports, if any, did you participate in in Fatima?

I played Basketball of course, but also played Football. Played in a few Second Eleven games too.

Q. Who was your favourite teacher(s) and which teacher(s) did you give the most trouble?

My favorite teachers were Fr Gregory Augustine and Mrs Hubbard (Geography)

‘Trouble’ was Mrs Kublalsingh and Mr. Gibson (Principles of Business). But with age brings wisdom.

(I thank them all immensely for their patience and dedication.)

Q. Have you been able to maintain friendships with your classmates since school? Any class reunions?

All my good friends to this day are my College mates––Miguel Cielto, Damion Hepburn, Brent Radix, Kayle Nurse, Sean Inniss…to name just a few.

Q. What was your academic path immediately after Fatima, and how did you get onto the basketball court.

After Fatima, I went on to work at TSTT in 1999. There I was in Sales, and because I was introduced to Marketing and Advertising campaigns, I decided to do a diploma in Marketing…and the rest is history. I now hold a Master’s in Strategic Marketing from Anglia Ruskin University. After my studies in Marketing, and my picking up coaching, I went on to further my academic progress with a diploma in the Art and Science of Coaching from the University of the West Indies, plus I secured my FIBA Level 1 Certification (International Certification). I went on to do a post-graduate diploma in Sports Management at the UWI, attaining First-Class honours and election as Class Valedictorian. I coach not only at Fatima College but also at Holy Name Convent and for Spartans TT.

My education in basketball is always literally on-the-go and on-going as I travel annually to join coaches and programmes in the US, to learn new and advanced training techniques.

Q. Tell us about the evolution of Fatima basketball since you took over the program. What have been the most important/significant changes? What have been the highlights? Whether there’s still room for improvement?

Since taking over the basketball programme in 2012, it has been all about developing a ‘winning culture’, on and off the court.

In my first year, we finished 2nd in U17 and 3rd in U15. But that was based on the talent of one or two players who were in the programme. It was not until the 2015-16 season we started seeing the fruits of our labour: we won the U15 North Zone School League Title––the first in the school’s history!

In 2017, we captured the U20 North Zone School Basketball Title.

But our best two seasons turned out to be 2022-2023 and 2023-2024…having captured all North Zone School Basketball Titles in both seasons, as well as five Trinidad and Tobago Schools Basketball Titles. We brought home the coveted National U20 Title to Fatima College!

With only two of the three National titles captured in our last two outings, we still need to capture all three in the same year!!

Q. What were your main responsibilities during your time as Executive Member of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee?

My role was to support the Marketing efforts, and that was a part of the President’s overall campaign “10Gold24”.

Q. With the Paris Summer Olympics on the horizon, is there anything in particular that has your attention, that you are looking forward to seeing?

As a marketer, I always love to see the creativity of the Opening Ceremony. We’ll enjoy seeing our Trinbago athletes showing off the red, white and black. Of course, I’m always locked into the basketball, with my favorite players LeBron James and Aja Wilson trying to bring high glory for Team USA.

Q. You are also the the Assistant Coach of the National Under-17 Girls’ Basketball How do you balance all your work, school and home responsibilities?

It’s always challenging, but it requires proper scheduling, and understanding organizations, as well as a supportive family. My wife and kids are very supportive of my basketball coaching career. They understand the work I put into it, and that it’s not just a hobby but a way of life.

Q. You obviously have a passion for developing youth sports and beyond. What do you see as your overall mission/goal?

I’ve been fortunate to have good people around me in my life, starting from in my teenage years, with influencers from Teachers to Coaches. And can’t forget my mother who played a pivotal role.

I understand first-hand the power of sport, and how sport can be an avenue for kids who are not academically inclined. It has allowed me to see the world, earn my Master’s degree, and continue to learn.

Sport taught me about adversity, discipline and structure. For me, it’s all about using sport to develop holistic young men and women in our society.

We need to give them an opportunity to express themselves and to feel welcomed.

Q. Your background and career are very sport-oriented, yet you are also the Marketing and Sales Lead at Precision Cybertechnologies and Digital Solutions Ltd (PCDS). Tell us about Is there a sport overlap here?

There is an element of ‘overlap’.

My background is Strategic Marketing and I have worked in the corporate environment for my entire life. So my transition to PCDS just required that I understand the trajectory of cybersecurity and the digital landscape.

To be very clear, Sport/Coaching is still a part-time occupation in Trinidad and Tobago. And therefore while I am passionate and continue to educate myself in the various dimensions of Sport…that cannot pay the bills!

Therefore, until the time comes when Sport can meet the mortgage, pay school fees, plus afford a good standard of living, I will continue to give my major attention to my corporate job.

Q. Tell us what qualities and values you took from Fatima that helped you in your career?

Hard working, dedication, and determination––these I got from Fatima, and they became the driving forces of my post-Fatima career.

Q. Favorite basketball team and player (local/foreign)?

Favorite local club: Spartans TT (my club).

Favorite local player: Steven “Lighter” Lewis and Kurt “Koto” Christian.

Foreign Player: Michael Jordan, all time. LeBron James on and off the court, including because of his contribution to his community, his professional career, his carving his own destiny and not using the cookie-cutter approach.

Derrick Rose and Kyrie Irving…being a guard myself, I’ve always appreciated their style of play.

Q. Any other sports/teams you follow?

Manchester United

Q. Tell us about your family––wife,

Stacy des Vignes-Warwick: married for 19 years, with three kids.

Ty Warwick: 18 years; played National basketball on the u16 2022 National team; attends Holy Name Convent.

Khloe Warwick: 11 years.

Noah Warwick: 9 years; attends St Monica’s Prep; plays basketball with Spartans TT, and Football with Pro Series.

Q. Favorite way to spend spare time? Any hobbies and/or guilty pleasures?

Lol!! I have no time for hobbies! The ‘hobby’ became a profession.

A good movie with the family is always in the cards, especially during spare time.

Ice cream and Coca Cola…real good!––Lol! Lol!

Q. What are you listening to in your car right now?

Always listening to Soca.

Q. Favorite Solo soft drink flavor (if any)?

 Cream Soda––no debate there!

Q. Proudest moment(s) of your life/career thus far?

Family: my three Kids

Education: Earning my Master’s in Strategic Marketing

Professionally: Establishing “Next Level Performance TT”––that digital platform aimed and profiling Caribbean athletes for potential scholarships

Sport: Capturing three Nationals titles with Fatima College in 2024, as well as being named Assistant Coach for the Trinidad and Tobago U16 Girls’ Team in 2022.

Q. Any bucket list item(s) still to achieve?

Coaching a T&T National Junior team, and coaching a College team in the US.

Q. What does ‘Nitendo Vinces’ mean to you?

It’s a motto that lives with me.

In Sport, this phrase encapsulates for me the essence of perseverance, hard work, and determination. Every practice session, every drop of sweat, and every moment of pushing beyond your limits, are all steps toward victory.

It’s a reminder that success doesn’t come easy––it’s earned, through relentless effort and unwavering dedication.

When you’re on the field, court, or track, “Nitendo Vinces” drives you to give your all, knowing that through your struggle, triumph is within reach.

Q. Any closing remarks?

Capturing the U15, U17, and U20, as well as the Open Female North Zone School Basketball Championships…isn’t just about skill and strategy––it’s about instilling a culture of belief and dedication among the players.

As a coach, I find it crucial to cultivate an environment in which players not only believe in themselves but also in the vision and teachings that I provide.

Winning begins with belief. Before stepping onto the court, players must have unwavering confidence in themselves and their abilities. But equally important is the belief they have in me as their coach.

My players have bought into my teachings, and they have become a cohesive unit capable of achieving greatness.

For me, as a coach, it’s about more than just X’s and O’s. It’s about building relationships, earning trust, and instilling a sense of purpose in each player. When players believe, they are willing to push themselves beyond their limits, knowing that I have their best interest at heart.

Creating a “championship” culture also involves fostering a sense of camaraderie and accountability among the team. Players must understand that they are part of something bigger than themselves and that their actions on and off the court impact the entire team. Through teamwork and unity, the team can overcome any obstacle that stands in their way.

Ultimately, capturing titles is a testament to the culture and belief that has been cultivated in our team. It’s about more than just winning games; it’s about empowering young athletes to reach their full potential both on and off the court. And when players believe in themselves, their coach, and each other, there’s no limit to what they can achieve.

I have invested 14-plus years in coaching and developing athletes, and I have continued to learn and develop my own coaching craft, which shows itself with the accomplishments of over the last 4-5 years.