+1 to CC.
Our DS1 did not do traditional school sports, but he had athletics (outside school) in his resume with recognition for these activities.
He did TKD from 7th grade to 11th grade.
He became a black belt and competed on the Jr. Olympic Team for 3 yrs.
He was a 2 time state champ and a national champ.
This is a yr round sport --- illustrating dedication 52 weeks a yr, not just during a season.
He also was an instructor for TKD --- volunteer/job--- not paid since he did it as a 15 and 16 yr old.
He became a Lifeguard with the Y when he hit 16. This was his PT job during the school yr (20 hrs a week) FT during the summer.
He had a total of 23 saves in 2 yrs ---illustrating his physical ability
Promoted to Sr Guard, pool Mgr rising summer sr. yr ---illustrating leadership
In his resume under duties as guard he stated that he had to be re-certified yrly, plus at this Y they tested them monthly --- retrieving a swimmer not using ladders within 60 seconds, AND retrieving a 10 lb weight from the deep end of the pool without ladders and within 60 seconds.
As a SR guard he not only had to re-certify himself, but also run the certification classes --- more athleticism
The AFA has no issue with candidates doing club sports, because many homeschoolers face this issue. However, what bothers me most in your post was you may be too wrapped up in your robotics and lose the opportunity of attending the AFA.
AFA looks at the WHOLE candidate, not just the academic side of the candidate, robotics is an academic EC. You can be physically fit, but athletics brings so much more to the table than just being able to catch/throw a ball, run, etc. It also illustrates your ability to work with others, deal with losing, manage your time and still be the best among your peers. Robotics illustrates the latter part of this paragraph, but it does not illustrate your physical ability.
I am with Mike on this one. Not trying to be Janie Raincloud, just trying to make you get many of your peers will manage just as much as you if not more. Find the time and get athletics in your profile now. If it means you step back from robotics a bit than step back. Keep saying to yourself WHOLE candidate, not PART candidate.
If you elect not to step back from robotics, there is nothing wrong with that, you just need to understand you may have a weakness in your profile. It is up to you. I agree with others don't do something just for the sake of it, do it because you like it. I also agree with others to feel confident/comfortable as an applicant you need to shore up your weaknesses.
This is not just an AFA issue, but depending on your state, it can become an issue regarding noms. No nom = no appt! Some states are not as competitive as others, i.e. SD compared to NY. It may be no problem to get 3 noms with no sports from SD, but NY where the MOCs talk and spread the wealth for noms., this may be a HUGE problem.
FWIW, this issue will also become an issue for your Plan B --- AFROTC scholarship. It will be an issue at the AFA or in AFROTC too because the 1st few weeks are not academics, it is physical agility. This is why they place value on athletics. They know it may become a stressor for cadets especially at the alt. the AFA is located at. In the end of the day there will always be the 2 people left standing for 1 spot. Do not give them the reason to select the other person.
Good luck