FOLLOWING a year of upheaval, players at Stocksfield are looking forward to a big 2017 season.

Tom Geary has been appointed new junior coach and Michael Seed takes over as coach of the adults section, ahead of the season getting under way.

Both Stocksfield’s men’s and women’s teams played at their highest level last year following promotions to the Northumberland and Durham A League, and they’re looking to build on their success on court.

The men went into the 2016 season with extra firepower but suffered set backs when they lost head coach, and club champion, David Esther to a new position at Bristol University, while team captain Dan Jewitt was out after suffering a trapped nerve.

Despite this, the team gave eventual champions, the all-conqurring Northumberland Club, their toughest match of the season, and victories against Cullercoats and Ponteland saw them claim a highest ever finish in fifth.

The ladies went into the A division against some established, strong teams, and their colourful top pair of Bryony Vaughan and Kate Bamforth repeatedly caused problems for some of the league’s best pairs. Despite their best efforts, they weren’t able to prevent a return to Division B for 2017. However, they are looking for a similarly swift return up the divisions.

Stocksfield are opening up their facilities to the public by holding open days this weekend. Adults can turn up at the Guessburn club from 1.30pm on Saturday, with juniors catered for between 10am and 1pm on Sunday.