What is the Power Players Program?
The APS Power Players Program, launched in April 2005, supports the Arizona Character Education Foundation promoting character education throughout the state. APS Power Players is a historical partnership between APS, the Arizona Character Education Foundation, the Arizona Department of Education and the state's major professional sports teams. Through this unique collaboration, sports clinics and school assemblies are used to help teach kids the basic principles of character using the Character Counts "Six Pillars of Character" - Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship.
How do the Character Counts program and the “Six Pillars of Character” coincide with the sports clinic format?
The purpose of these clinics is not only for students to receive sports training from professional athletes, but to learn about the importance of good character in life as well. A typical clinic will begin with a Character Counts trained speaker talking about the first three of the Six Pillars of Character (Trustworthiness, Respect and Responsibility). Next, the students will rotate in groups through several stations. At these stations they will learn various sports skills and drills from professional athletes and their staff. Once the rotations are completed, the students gather once more to hear about the last of the Six Pillars (Fairness, Caring and Citizenship).
What do the Power Players participants receive at the clinic?
Students who participate in a Power Players clinic receive a Power Players t-shirt, two tickets to a game, a special team giveaway and a frame complete with a team photo of all the participants (giveaways may vary).
How much does a Power Players clinic cost?
There is no cost for the school to be involved with a Power Players clinic, though sometimes transportation may not be provided to clinics off the school campus.
How many Power Player clinics are offered per year?
There are a limited number of clinics per team each year. The time of year the clinics are held varies depending on the team/players season and availability.
What time/where do these clinics take place?
Most clinics are held in the afternoon. While some clinics may run into the end of the school day, most are held after school hours. Clinic times differ depending on the school’s schedule as well as the schedule of the participating teams and players.
Clinic locations also may vary depending on the school facilities or the participating team. For example, because a Suns clinic requires at least four basketball hoops, it may be held on the Suns practice court at the US Airways Arena.
How many and what ages are the students who participate?
Power Players clinics consist of *40 to 50 fifth and sixth grade students. Clinics are open to both boys and girls. No prior sports skill or knowledge is required.
* Because a limited number of students can participate in each clinic, many teachers/principals use a clinic as an incentive for those students who demonstrate good character at school.
How do I get my school involved in a Power Players clinic?
The number of Power Player clinics each year is limited. If you are interested in your school joining a list of possible participants please email a request to powerplayers@aps.com. Please include your name, schools name, location, phone, email, and any questions you may have concerning the Power Players program. You may also mail or fax the Power Players application located on the main page.
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