The announcement of the provisional regular season fixtures for the 2009-2010 BUAFL season marks the start of the University of Bath Killer Bees’ preparation to regain the Division crown that they surrendered last season, as they also look towards a push for the National Title.

The inaugural BUAFL Challenge Trophy champions will, as always, be on the lookout for all the new talent arriving at the University who can help drive the program forward both on and off the field. Pre-season recruitment activities will be announced in due course, but having graduated in excess of 12 starters from the Trophy winning side of last season, many opportunities exist for fresh faces to make their mark immediately.

The 2009-10 regular season starts where the 2008-9 regular season left off with the Killer Bees facing local rival Bristol Barracuda on November 8th. The Bees will be hoping for a similar outcome to that which was achieved at the inaugural ‘The Sting’ event as they travel the short distance to take on the 3rd year team.

This heads a gruelling 4 game stretch taking place over just 22 days which continues when the Killer Bees host their first game of the season against the newly formed Team Solent. The matchup, taking place on November 15th, is to be branded as ‘The Buzz’. It will follow a similar format as ‘The Sting’ and is set to become an annual event to kick off Bath’s home contests each season.

After the success of ‘The Sting’ last year, where over 250 spectators were able to enjoy the refreshments, live commentary, free programme and Cheerleader show, not to mention the high octane on-field action, November 15th looks set to be a date not to be missed.

Whilst Team Solent may be an expansion team, the Killer Bees organisation are under no illusion of the threat the Southampton based team pose. The Southampton Solent club are an offshoot of the hugely successful University of Southampton Stags American Football program and are a result of the single institution rule that is being enforced by the BUAFL this year. With it being rumoured that the bulk of the players from last seasons Southern Conference runner-up Stags have had to make the move to the new Solent team, it should be a big test of the Killer Bees’ ambitions for the upcoming season, and a contest not to be missed.

The season continues with successive home matchups against last seasons Division winners and fellow local rivals UWE Bullets, followed by the visit of Warwick Wolves. The pre-Christmas contests conclude with a trip to the west coast of Wales on December 13th where the Bees will look to continue recent good form against Tarannau Aberystwyth.

Post Christmas action starts with another trip to Wales to face Cardiff Cobras, before a trip to Plymouth Blitz on Valentines Day brings an end to the Killer Bees travels for the regular season.

The regular season draws to a close on February 21st where “The Sting” will be contested between the Killer Bees and Bristol Barracuda for the second successive year.

The upcoming season is set to be one of optimism and promise following the post-season success of the team at the culmination of last year, and with a trophy in the cabinet, the Bees have now got the taste for silverware and are looking to finally add a National Title to their resume.