American Football Association of Germany
 |
|
| Formation | 16 October 1982 |
|---|---|
| Type | American football |
| Headquarters | Frankfurt, Germany |
|
Membership
|
40,051 |
|
Official language
|
German |
| Website | www.afvd.de/ |
The American Football Association of Germany (German: American Football Verband Deutschland) is the governing body of the sport of American football in Germany.
Formed in 1982, the association oversees the German league system, the various German Bowls and the national selections.
The history of American football in Germany, outside the US Army bases in the country, began in 1977, when the Frankfurter Löwen were formed as the first club to play the game in Germany.
In March 1979, the AFBD, the American Football Federation of Germany (German: American Football Bund Deutschland), was formed, the first of its kind in Europe. This organisation, in 1982, was replaced by the AFVD, the American Football Association of Germany.
A national league, originally the American Football Bundesliga, later to be renamed the German Football League, was formed in 1979, consisting of six clubs, the Frankfurter Löwen, Ansbach Grizzlies, Düsseldorf Panther, Munich Cowboys, Berlin Bears and Bremerhaven Seahawks. The first-ever league game was held on 4 August 1979, played between the Frankfurter Löwen and the Düsseldorf Panther, and ended in a victory for Frankfurt. The first ever German Bowl was held on 10 November 1979 and also ended in a victory for the Frankfurter Löwen.
In 1980 and 1981, the league and American football in Germany saw a split with Düsseldorf and Bremerhaven leaving the competition to take part in a separate, short-lived competition, the Nordwestdeutsche Football-Liga - NFL, but, by 1982, union was restored and the renegade teams returned.
In 1981, the German national team was formed, winning its first-ever international, a game against Italy, 12-6.
...
Wikipedia