The American Football Association continues its 25th year of operation (1980-2005) as the national association for semi-pro football teams and leagues by announcing "league", "team", and "individua" membership packages as part of its "AFA Game Plan 2005".

The AFA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit tax exempt corporation who monitors the action of more than 750 senior amateur football teams from coast-to-coast each year. The senior amateur level, better known as semi-pro football, is divide into three talent levels (AAA-AA-A) with teams playing games during two distinctively different seasons--Spring/Summer and Fall. After 25 years of service to the semi-pro level of the sport, the AFA national association is ready to "go retro"-- and start off its next 25 years like it did back in 1980 by registering teams, leagues and individuals as association members.

AFA LEAGUE MEMBERSHIPS:
AFA "League Memberships" are FREE of charge to the league organizations and are available to qualifying non-profit adult-amateur football leagues in the United States (with 6 or more teams) who have 100% team membership participation in the AFA during the 2005 football season(s). AFA "member leagues" will have their league champions qualify for AFA postseason tournament play leading to the AFA 2005 National Championship series. AFA "member teams" from non-member leagues (less than 100% team membership participation) will be considered as "associate" members and "may qualify" for postseason regional and national playoff brackets as "wild-card" teams if additional teams are needed to fill AFA regional playoff spots. Teams joining the AFA for the 2005 season will receive a FREE copy of the AFA's 336 page 2004 Media Guide - (facts and records) Book (a $19.95 value); as well as access to the national association's reduced premium liability insurance policy; quarterly issues of the AFA's "Semi-Pro and Proud" newsletter; an AFA Team Owners Membership card; and a colorful AFA Team Membership certificate. Only teams from AFA member leagues will be included in the AFA's 2005 "power rating" system. The AFA annual Associate Team Membership fee is $100 per team.

AFA "ASSOCIATE" TEAM MEMBERSHIPS:
Teams joining the AFA for the 2005 season not associated with an official AFA member league will receive a FREE copy of the AFA's 336 page 2004 Media Guide -- (facts and records) Book as well as access to the national association's reduced premium liability insurance policy; an "associate member" team listing in the 2005 Media Guide; quarterly issues of the AFA's "Semi-Pro and Proud" newsletter; an AFA Team Owner Membership card; and a colorful AFA Team Membership certificate. Associate membership teams will not be included in the AFA's 2005 "power rating" service. The AFA "power rating" ststem is reserved for teams participating in AFA "member leagues". The AFA annual Associate Team memberships are available for a $100 per team donation.

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS:
Individual AFA Memberships are available in two different classifications -- "active" or "alumni".

Active Memberships are for players, coaches, officials, team and league administrators, cheerleaders, fans and just about anyone currently active in the sport who wants to keep up with the semi-pro football action by supporting the AFA with a tax deductible annual membership donation of $10 (or more).

Alumni Club Memberships are available to former and/or retired players, coaches, administrators, etc., looking to keep in touch with old teammates as well as keeping up with today's semi-pro action across the country.

Both "active" and "alumni club" individual members will receive a personalized AFA membership card as well as copies of the AFA's quarterly "Semi-Pro and Proud" newsletter so they can keep track of what's happening in the AFA during the long semi-pro football season(s).

Team and Individual membership applications can be obtained by sending your request for membership to the American Football Association, P.O. Box 2400, Sarasota, FL 34230 or by e-mailing your request to AFAmember@aol.com. Be sure to list your name, team name, league affiliation, home mailing address as well as your day and night phone numbers and whether you need a team or individual membership application. Make checks payable to the AFA. $100 Team membership fees are also payable via credit card by filing out the proper information on the AFA membership application. Semi-Pro teams and leagues playing Spring/Summer schedules will want to register as an "official" AFA member team soon in order to qualify for the AFA's 2005 "power rating" service as well as our low price liability insurance program. All AFA membership donations are tax deductible within the limit of the law.

As part of the "Game Plan 2005" the AFAÑwith assistance from AFA Hall of Fame Legends and members of several Semi-Pro Football Alumni Clubs across the countryÑwill be conducting postseason youth, junior and senior level football "invitational" regional and national tournament games for teams in those age groups.

By providing services during the year to all age levels of amateur football in the United States -- the American Football Association hopes to garner the support of all "non-professiona"l teams, leagues and individuals -- in an effort to impress those responsible for funding "amateur football" in the United States -- including the National Football League, the National Football League Players Association and their sponsoring agent -- USA Football, Inc. Help us kickoff our second 25 years as your national association -- and prove your organization is truly "Semi-Pro and Proud".

AMERICAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CREED: If we can't move the mountain . . . then we'll move a grain of sand. If we can't reach every team owner . . . then we'll touch a single hand. If we can't impress them all . . . then we'll work with just those who answer our call. Please plan to join the AFA in 2005 . . . and help us keep the dream alive. " Semi-Pro and Proud" is what we are . . . that's what makes the AFA the best by far.

LEAGUE, TEAM and INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE -- JOIN TODAY