Maitland to Newcastle is a well worn cricketing path.
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Players, past and present, have regularly moved between the neighbouring associations over many years.
Teams from each location have also gone head-to-head, as far back as the 1860s travelling via paddle steamers on the Hunter River, while Maitland even won the Newcastle district premiership double back in 1943-44.
That relationship will again be on display this season, but in an official capacity, with two Maitland sides joining an expanded Newcastle T20 Summer Bash.
The 2019-20 competition, which gets underway on January 14, will feature new outfits Magic and Flood next to the existing 12 clubs.
Running independently of Newcastle first grade and club championship points, the T20 Summer Bash is now moving into uncharted territory.
"The T20 format gives you that chance for expansion," Newcastle District Cricket Association chairman Paul Marjoribanks said at Wednesday's launch.
"We've been in conversation with Maitland for about 12 months and the two associations have a long history together.
"This is the next step in that relationship and the T20 Summer Bash competition."
The two Maitland groups have been split geographically.
Flood, incorporating the City, Norths, Wests and Kurri Weston clubs, is set to be looked after by former Hamilton-Wickham and Stockton player Matt Trappel and Central North representative Lincoln Mills.
Magic, taking in Raymond Terrace, Port Stephens, Thornton, Tenambit-Morpeth and Easts, have former Cardiff-Boolaroo spinner Dan Willis and Josh Moxey in charge.
Moxey said he was looking forward to players being "proud to represent Maitland" now this opportunity had arisen, adding to current John Bull Shield commitments in the Hunter Valley council.
Maitland District Cricket Association president Mal Muddle said this was "dipping our toe in the water" and, with an eye to the future, providing juniors with access to stronger competition.
Newcastle has run a top-flight T20 tournament, under different banners and with various conditions, since at least 2008-09.
This will be the third version of the stand-alone T20 Summer Bash with $3000 on offer for the winners.
There will be three lots of midweek fixtures, Tuesday to Thursday, in January before a Sunday double header on February 2.
Each team lines up in four rounds and can field two marquees, not including former players now elsewhere or not registered.
Quarter-finals take place February 9 before semis and the decider on the 16th.
A draw is set to be released shortly.
It is unclear if No.1 Sportsground will be available for any matches.
Charlestown are the defending champions. University claimed the previous title. Hamwicks lost both of those finals after reigning supreme in the shortened format in 2016-17.
