PHASE 1 Director Wayne Dawkins Speaks

In early September Kern Carter on behalf of Hoops Hype Canada wrote a exclusive on Wayne Dawkins the Canadian basketball pioneer. On the cusp of the PHASE 1 program`s inaguaral season on the American Prep School scene, Wayne Dawkins Director of PHASE 1 Academy now based in Phoenix Arizona spoke one-on-one with Hoops Hype Canada correspondents via telephone.

Q. First and foremost PHASE 1 Academy. How did the program earn some reported first class facilities and become rumored to have such strong community support in the Phoenix area?

A. Hard to make a long story short but the work being done by PHASE 1 in Canada was recognized by people here in Phoenix and the offer to come here was presented to me. After much prayer and speaking to my wife we decided to explore it. Once we were here it was clear from the connections we made that God wanted us to stay. The rest is the hard work, diligence and perseverance that goes into building anything.

PHASE 1 Academy Player pool.

Q. Facilities are they first class as reported?

A. Yes. Our school is small and did not have the facilities to fully accommodate our program, so we were blessed to form a partnership with the Ray and Joan Kroc Salvation Army in South Phoenix. It is a world class facility with 3 NBA courts, fitness center, indoor track, etc. The partnership also gives our athletes an opportunity to give back to the community through the volunteering we do for their many youth programs.

Q. How is PHASE 1 establishing a presence in the community and already garnering strong support from the Arizona community?

A. Our presence has grown because we entered the community with a mission to give back through volunteering and involvement with our local church Faith Christian Center. We have also established a reputation for running a discipline program that focuses on education, character and player development.

Q. Canadians are reportedly involved with the support staff surrounding the players day to day? Any names in the fold that have been pivotal preparing Phase 1 for the American prep level?

A. Several Canadians both here and in Canada are involved; however, this is not a one man or all Canadian effort! My wife, Kim Dawkins get’s the most credit because she is the true organizational and creative talent behind PHASE 1 and our great start. Amanda Davidson is one of my former Alumni and lends her many talents to the program including, her masters in education which gives us the strong in house academic support.  Her 10 years of training with PHASE 1 means we have someone who is well equipped to support the player development as well. After contemplating several other offers I was able to convince my long time friend Ro Russell, that his experience both good and bad was vital to building a great program on a consulting level then most recently as a head coach of our high school national team. Clive Daniel is my right hand with overall operations of the Academy and maintaining the academy mission. The Canadians at home are our athletes parents and families that trust us to do right by their children and provide as much hands on support and encouragement for PHASE 1 Academy as possible.

Wayne and wife Kim Dawkins photographed on home court of the Toronto Raptors, Air Canada Center. Former home of the All Canada Classic.

Q We must ask, what calibre of education does PHASE 1 Academy offer aspiring international ballers?

A. We chose Faith Christian School as our educational partner for the high academic standard and the fact they are fully state and NCAA accredited. As of last week our school progress report indicated that our team GPA is a 3.2. We have an in house Academic Director and several student tutors through a partnership with Arizona State U. and Grand Canyon U; also I have a Bachelors Degree in Secondary education with a concentration in Sociology. I have been a teacher for 17 years and would not compromise education for our athletes when I know how valuable it has been to me, and the many students I have taught.

Q. Caliber of competition? Word is Findlay and Oak Hill are on your schedule already and a possible Canadian tour, any truth to that?

A. All true and a credit to Coach Ro Russell because it is his tremendous relationship with these programs that allowed us to be able to put together such a great schedule in a short time span. The Canadian tour is important for our athletes to get an opportunity to play in front of family and friends while showcasing the development of these athletes.

Kim and Amanda measure Senaglese 2014 6`11 C Boubacar Toure`s wing span.

Q. X’s and O’s. What kind of sysytems, culture will student athletes 

A. I respect a Head Coaches need to control his team because I have been there myself. Our head coach will control the games however as a staff, collectively we are implementing the overall academy coaching system.  Our focus is to create a culture to better integrate our younger players that may play up for bigger games. 

Q. Player pool. Strong Canadian contingent….Especially from the Canadian hotbed city of Brampton, ON. Any coincidence of that? 

A. Brampton is loaded with talent and that can’t be denied. We have a great mix of players from other parts of the G.T.A. as well. For year one we focused on athletes where we have a close relationship with their families. It is a major decision to send your child all the way to Phoenix so screening parents and child was very important. Our athletes come from all over the world, Germany, Belgium, Argentina, Senegal, Nigeria and Australia so we really needed to make sure we chose Canadian athletes of good character that can deal with people from different cultures and adjust to a new environment. We also looked closely at the positions that had to be filled and building for the future.

Q. Canadian basketball. You are a basketball mogul in the country. How do you feel about the current state. Genuine growth or still hype?

A. I am happy for the growth of Canadian basketball and excited for the future. I don’t feel we are utilising our best talent in positions of leadership and that has caused a talent drain at every level. Right now America has firmly taken over the development of our top talent at and early age and we do not have the coaches, facilities, level of competition or corporate support to pull it back anytime soon. I am here because America recognized my value to the greater basketball community. I would have preferred to stay home to continue to help build Canadian basketball but that opportunity was not going to come. Hopefully many others who are taking their talent to the U.S. will one day have a more opportunities to impact Canadian basketball at the higher levels.

Q. Any relationship with Steve Nash and or the brass from Canada Basketball have they ever reached out to you or PHASE 1?

A. I have a past relationship but I have never heard from him.

Q. All Canada Classic. Gone but not forgotten. It seems though media outlets are quick to forget about its existence? At all frustrating for you?

A. To work hard for 12 straight years; to build and maintain a major event like the All Canada Classic with such a great history and tradition; it is disappointing to feel the basketball community does not value it enough to help keep it going. I am grateful to God for the opportunity to help so many of Canada’s best player celebrate their high school career on a national stage.

Q. NPSAA received mixed feedback from programs, parents and players both positive and negative. Your thoughts looking back on it what do you think was it’s demise? Can NPSAA co exist in Canada or even America one day?

A. Unfortunately when you’re a pioneer and trying to build anything with limited resources it is difficult. The fact that several leagues that are following an almost identical format and have sprung up, is a reflection that it was something people felt is needed for Canada. My focus for PHASE 1 is building PHASE 1 Academy and making sure we do right by everyone involved. The NPSAA, like the All Canada Classic and the many other of PHASE 1’s programs I will leave it up God to decide if they are gone for good or maybe rebirthed here in America.

Q. Your thoughts on AAU it’s been a long time since you have been affiliated with an AAU program. Are you against it or support players desire to take their talents on the circuit?

A. AAU in theory is great and I am again grateful to have been a part of it in the late 90’s when it was relatively unknown in Canada. The challenge now is educating people on how to use the AAU experience to the best interest of the athletes involved. 

Q. Minus social media and all the virtual hoopla, how were you recruited back in your day? Also how do you feel as program director of your players & personnel using social media?

A. I was recruited by a combination of 1. good old-fashioned taping games, contacting schools and sending out the footage and 2. being written about in the newspapers for being one of the top basketball players in the city. Back then print media exposure was very crucial to validating our level of talent. I am also very grateful to my high school coaches at York Memorial C.I. Richard Ward and Mike Katz who were the driving force behind my recruitment.

 I personally feel young athletes need to be better educated on their use of social media. It is great for creating instant hype or a buzz but often times athletes are sharing emotional moments that need to be thought out or discussed before being posted. This has proven to be very detrimental to their own reputation and the programs they represent. We work continuously with our athletes to teach them how to use social media responsibly.

Thank you Wayne good luck with your latest basketball journey in Phoenix Arizona, Hoops Hype Canada wishes you all the best and looks forward to tracking the development of both our Canadians donning the PHASE 1 jersey and the entire roster this fall and winter season.