BERMUDA Athletic Association will mark the 10th anniversary of their withdrawal from the Bermuda Football Association senior league by returning to active competition for the 2007-08 season.

BAA, who last played in the old Second Division in 1996-97 when they finished second-from bottom in the nine-team division, have been accepted back into the fold by the BFA and back into the same division. And while this season will be one of consolidating their place amongst some of the same teams that were in this same division 10 years ago, BAA are hoping to be serious contenders for promotion within a few years, says president John Doran.

"It's going to be a very inexperienced team at that level and it's going to be a tough season, I think," Doran concedes. "It's going to be a learning season for most of them and we're hoping to build a nucleus there and carry it forward."

The 'them' Doran speaks about are the young crop of players who have come through BAA's thriving youth programme over the last 10 years and around whom the club is building their team. Some players have transferred from other clubs and will bring experience but 10 years is a long time in football and the team will certainly be a new look one.

"We were approached by some people (players) who wanted money but my feeling as president of the club is I want people playing for the club who want to play for the club and not for financial gain," said Doran.

"I thought some of the better Commercial players might want to take the opportunity to play at a higher level, per se, so that was a bit frustrating. We'll work with what we have, we're not expecting great things. The main thing is to keep the players focused and encouraged."

BAA have been busy nurturing youngsters in their programme and the president estimates there are about 120 juniors from the under sevens up to the under 18s.

"There is no point in having a great development programme and not having something for the youth to aspire to," said Doran who points out that the club celebrated its centenary year in 2004.

BAA, who will be coached by Gary Adams and assisted by Frankie Brewster Jr. and Patrick Trott, have picked up a few players in the summer transfer, including Michael Ferreira from North Village, Rodney Smith from PHC, Rayhi Emery (Paget), Stephen Gair (Prospect), Adams from Wolves, Paul Mello (Island XI), Jahmal Scott (Key West Rangers) and Christopher Lima and Clifford Powell from Tuff Dogs.

Doran, a player for BAA Wanderers the last 10 years, is also signed up to play this season. He gives a lot of credit for the youth programme to Patrick Trott who is the club's director of football.

"Once we had the under 18 team in place we needed a First Division team in place so the under 18s could look and aspire to move up," said Doran.

"Last year Gary Adams approached Patrick and myself about putting a First Division team in and we felt this was the time to do it. That's when we seriously set about trying to get players to come over and play for us."

The return to the First Division means that the ground will be used virtually every day for either training or playing. Premier Division side Boulevard use the ground for home matches and train there on Thursday night while Commercial side BAA Wanderers, Robin Hood, Tuff Dogs and MR Onions also play and train there along with the youth teams. Already the club has hosted the Charity Cup and Martonmere Cup matches.

All that usage will take its toll on the field and it will soon start to show in the next few weeks. It is for that reason that the club is moving ahead with plans to introduce an artificial playing surface as early as next summer.

"Once the season is over we will try to start the development on it," said Doran. "Obviously we have to raise funds which is the hard part but we have set out plans on how we are going to do that. We have already sent out information to, hopefully, interested parties.

"It is not only the teams that play there. We also rent the field out for different community events and we see it now as a community club. The location is ideal and we feel the community will benefit as well.

"Our youth development has grown so big that it (field) is not going to be able to take the wear and tear."

Another interesting development for the club is an affiliation they are forging with Scottish champions Celtic which will not only aid football development but community development as well. Representatives from the UK club will be in Bermuda soon to set up the programme which includes coaching methods for under seven to under 18s.

"They are very interested and are coming down," said the delighted BAA president.

"It will also give our coaches the opportunity to visit their coaches and for their coaches to come over here as well. It will be a big thing for Bermuda. They are not looking for us to change our name or anything like that. But it will work out well."

BAA open their campaign with a trip to the east end to meet St. George's Colts, one of the teams who could be pushing for promotion having picked up a few summer signings themselves.

"Basically it is good for competition that BAA are back in the First Division," said Doran. "A club that is 100 years old deserves to be there."

The First Division steals the spotlight as no Premier Division matches are scheduled for this week. Wolves entertain Southampton Rangers at Devonshire Rec. in the pick of the matches as the two teams are aiming to push for promotion seek an opening-day victory.

Relegated Paget are at home to Hamilton Parish while X-Road host Somerset Eagles and Social Club take on Prospect.