As a child, Chris Skilton moved around a bit based on the various teaching appointments of his father, Ian. The Leader's sister newspaper, the Singleton Argus, covered Ian's retirement in 2017 - describing him as the "much loved" outgoing deputy principle of Singleton High School.
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After graduating from the University of Newcastle with a bachelor's degree in medical radiation science - nuclear medicine, Chris Skilton soon relocated to Tamworth to work at Tamworth Hospital. It was the mid-2000s.
Some 14 years later, the 36-year-old is married to his university sweetheart, occupational therapist Hana, they have two children, Elijah, 6, and Sebastian, 4, and he has risen to assistant chief of nuclear medicine at Tamworth Hospital - thanks to the master's degree in applied management he obtained.
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He also emerged as one of Tamworth's most accomplished athletes, excelling at basketball and cricket. This year, he retired as a Thunderbolt for the second time, after leading them to the grand final.
On Saturday at No 1 Oval, he will play for South Tamworth against Bective East - having decided to embrace cricket more post-basketball in order to tap the camaraderie of team sports and feed the competitive animal within.
Like his father in Singleton, Skilton has become a much-loved figure in Tamworth. "And, I think, with our family life and whatnot at the moment, we'll probably be in Tamworth for quite a period of time," he said. "My wife's got a good job and my oldest [child] is starting to go to school."
Earlier in his cricket career, Skilton was a fast-bowling allrounder, but "struggled with injuries". He has not committed himself to playing every match this season.
"I hope to enjoy the game a bit and contribute ... I'm very competitive whenever I'm playing sport. Hopefully we can string together a few wins in the two-dayers and put us into contention to play finals. We certainly didn't do too well through the one-dayers, but don't think that's especially our game."
Skilton said cricket "filled a void" in his life. "And then when the cricket season is over and I'm not playing basketball, I'll be back to Neville No Friends again."
For Skilton, pain accompanies cricket. "I still hurts [playing]. But I like the bunch of blokes [at Souths] and getting out there and having a game."
On Saturday, Souths will resume at 1-61 chasing 120. Skilton is bracketed with Souths opener Mitch Smith this match. Smith played the first day and Skilton will play the second day. Smith is 42 not out, meaning Skilton will start his innings on that score.
"So it could be the quickest 50 you've ever seen," Skilton said. "I had a rough start [to the season] and then made a 30 the other week. So hopefully I can make some runs tomorrow [Saturday]."
Elsewhere on Saturday, Old Boys will resume at 3-170 at Riverside 1, after dismissing West Tamworth for 90.
At Riverside 2, City United will resume at 3-26 chasing North Tamworth's 222.
