JAY Lenton was born at Belmont, started life at Lake Munmorah and has grandparents around Caves Beach.
It's little wonder Lenton, before moving to the Central Coast and later Sydney, holds an "affiliation" with the region, follows the Newcastle cricket competition and describes himself as a "No.1 Knights fan".
The Kookaburras' (Toronto) marquee player attended the T20 Summer Bash launch at Jesmond Park on Wednesday along with Newcastle District Cricket Association officials, City of Newcastle's Peta Winney-Baartz and club representatives.
Lenton, a keeper-batsman coming off four Big Bash League seasons with the Thunder, recalls playing juniors for Doyalson and seniors for Toukley before, as a teenager, considering a cricket shift to either Newcastle or the state capital.
"I've always been affiliated here," he said.
"Growing up on the Central Coast I guess it's like a little brother because Newcastle's always been the better competition. Back in the day if you were any good it was 'do I go to Newcastle or do I go to Sydney?'
"So I've always had a bit of a following of the Newcastle competition and I'm the No.1 Knights fan going around so I've always been up here watching something."
The 30-year-old, who now skippers Sydney club Manly Warringah, said it was quite the "buzz" playing alongside the likes of Andre Russell and Shane Watson at the Thunder after being called up as an injury replacement and eventually debuting at the WACA in 2017.
"I've been fortunate to be part of the last four BBLs playing with and against the best in the world," he said.
"Having that knowledge and being the cricket nuffy that I am, I always tried to get in conversation with the big boys, especially the guys that come in from overseas, to pick their brain.
"Everybody talks about it being a buzz, but when you're out in the middle it just goes to a new level."
Wednesday saw the Kookaburras, who also have Lenton's former Central Coast teammate Brendon Charlton in their ranks, drawn in pool C with Waratahs (Waratah-Mayfield), Lions (Merewether), Rosellas (Wests) and Maitland Magic.
Pool B is made up of the Tigers (Wallsend), Seagulls (Stockton), Sabres (City), Whips (Belmont) and Maitland Flood.
Title holders the Pumas (Hamwicks) will meet Black Roses (Cardiff-Boolaroo), Magpies (Charlestown), Sea Dragons (University) and newcomers Rebels (Suburban Districts) in pool A.
Each outfit will play four round games, starting next month, before the top eight advance to the finals. Hunter Valley were touted as a potential inclusion but won't be taking part in 2020-21, leaving a 15-team competition.
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