AFA READY TO KICKOFF ITS 2005 SEMI-PRO FOOTBALL SEASON

Media - contact Dave Burch at AFA National Office
(877) 624-4485 or (941) 388-3510
(e-mail) amerfoot@aol.com (or) usafoot@aol.com
(website)www.americanfootballassn.com/

The American Football Association announced today a reminder to all semi-pro football leagues across the country that the traditional start date for adult amateur teams involved in AFA fall season competition is July 2nd.

While many semi-pro teams are already playing exhibition games and organized scrimmages, league play for most member leagues won’t get underway for a few weeks yet. Member teams are reminded that organized scrimmages may be construed as an exhibition game if certain conditions prevail. Teams should check with their league office for rulings on game type scrimmages.

As part of the AFA’s “Game Plan 2005” and some timely decisions that came out of last months national semi-pro football convention in Chicago regarding the AFA’s postseason “National Tournament of Champions”, the AFA will be working closely with their member leagues regarding postseason Regional and National tournament participation.

Member leagues are those leagues that have 100% team membership participation in the AFA national association. Among the benefits of having all teams in a particular league join the AFA during a semi-pro football season is having those teams qualify for the AFA’s weekly “power-ratings”. At seasons end the league champions from each “official” member league will have the opportunity to see their league “champion” advance to the AFA regionals - then on to the annual AFA’s National Championship and a shot at playing for the AFA’s coveted Arthur S. Arkush Memorial Cup.

The 26th annual AFA National Championship Game is scheduled to take place in Florida at seasons end. The name of each player on the annual National Championship team is engraved on the Arkush Cup. Over the past 25 years there have been 1277 players and coaches names engraved on the National Championship trophy.

To qualify for “official league” membership - all teams registered to a particular league must have paid their $100 (per team) AFA membership fees prior to the start of their regular season. Full league membership includes publicity via national press releases, newsletters, online league logo merchandise store, free websites, All American recognition, media guides, membership certificates, access to liability insurance through Sadler & Co., and inclusion in the AFA’s weekly power ratings. Teams who are members of leagues not registered as official AFA member leagues may join the AFA as ‘’associate” members. Associate members benefits are limited to taking advantage of the AFA’s million-dollar spectator liability insurance program needed by semi-pro teams to secure game and practice venues.

Semi-pro teams and leagues wanting more information about the national association’s liability insurance program can contact the AFA’s insurance representative, Debbie Edelmayer, at Sadler & Company (800-622-7370).