Cooper Lennox remembers going to train at Harker Oval when he was still playing juniors.
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His dad, Scott, was the coach and the team would occasionally head over to the New Lambton venue on a Thursday afternoon while senior players like James King were batting in the nets.
King now captains Lennox in Wests' first XI and the impact of those summer sessions remain.
"It was definitely the club I wanted to play for," Lennox told the Newcastle Herald.
The New Lambton Heights 16-year-old has enjoyed quite a dream introduction to the Newcastle district first grade competition since debuting midway through last season.
Some cricketers go through entire careers without even featuring in a decider but Lennox struck gold by claiming a title in his rookie campaign.
"I can't really describe it. It was pretty unreal," the teenager said.
This weekend the year 11 student at Lambton High School has a chance to help add another trophy to Wests' cabinet, which also includes last season's minor premiership and Tom Locker Cup.
The Rosellas arrive at Sunday's T20 Summer Bash finals as the sole undefeated team and meet the Magpies (Charlestown) in the opening semi (9am).
As well as lining up in the middle order, the right-handed batsman has recently taken on the added responsibility of wicketkeeping with regular gloveman Andrew Shakespeare unavailable for the shorter format.
"I've quite enjoyed it," Lennox said.
"I used to keep in juniors and rep so it's not a new thing for me."
In the meantime, Wests find themselves locked in the midst of a two-day battle with Waratah-Mayfield.
The defending champions will resume at 5-52 on Saturday in pursuit of Waratah's 151 with first-innings points vital for the sixth-placed side on a congested ladder.
Lennox is yet to bat at Waratah Oval while former junior teammate Edan Brichta is six not out.
He said changing gears between 90-over and T20 cricket was a challenge.
"There's a big difference," he said.
"You've got a bit more of a license in the T20 stuff, but there's just so much more time in two-day games."
Last season Lennox, along with Belmont's Toby Gray, reached the quarter-finals of Green Shield with Sydney club Northern District.
During the winter, former New Lambton Public School student has previously played rugby union for Hamilton and rugby league for Central Charlestown.