HAWKESBURY’S rise into the upper echelon of clubs in the Sydney Cricket Association received a major boost with the announcement yesterday that Scott Henry has been awarded a NSW Rookie Contract for the 2008-09 season.

Henry, 19, is the third Hawk to come under the notice of the heirachy at Cricket NSW headquarters, with Peter Forrest retaining his full contract and Stephen O’Keefe having his contract upgrade – won for playing a number of matches in the NSW one day team – being officially confirmed.

Former Hawk John Hastings is a contracted player with Victoria, making it four players produced by the club on State lists.

With Forrest and O’Keefe considered near certainties for contracts, Henry was the pleasant surprise, with the left-handed batsman and spin bowler from Mudgee being rewarded for a consistent debut full season in the top grade.

He made 522 runs at an average of 40.15, including his match-winning maiden ton of 102 against Western Suburbs and eight scores above 35, including three 50s.

Henry will commence pre-season training with the Blues squad in June, something he is still coming to terms with.

“It’s going to be a wonderful opportunity and one I am really keen to get the most out of,” Henry said.

“I had a pretty good season in first grade considering the rain we had, and I finished with a few decent scores, which has obviously pleased the selectors.

“It’s great to have Peter and Stephen in there too and to train alongside some fantastic players and talk cricket with them is going to be a huge benefit for my cricket.”

Forrest and O’Keefe, who are spending the off-season at the Centre of Excellence (formerly the Australian Cricket Academy) in Brisbane, are seen as the generation next of the most powerful State in Australia.

Star No.3 batsman Forrest, a Windsor Leagues junior, will enter his fifth season as a Blues’ contracted player on the back of a breakthrough season in the Pura Cup, where he scored 430 runs at an average of 30.71, including a breakthrough maiden century of 177 against a Tasmanian attack that included Test 12th man Ben Hilfenhaus.

Allrounder O’Keefe is a North Richmond junior, with his third contract being his first full listing, and he will be banging the door down for a place in the NSW team next season.

He didn’t enjoy his best first grade season with the bat last season, but his left arm orthodox spin bowling was a class above, producing 36 wickets at an average of 18.19.

O’Keefe played a handful of one day matches and showed enough to suggest he can cut it at first class level.

Hawkesbury president Terry Jacobs was delighted to hear of the trio’s selection, particularly Henry’s.

“To have three contracted players, plus John Hastings, is great news for the club,” he said.

“Like most people, I thought Peter and Stephen were good chances, and I think Scott is a great choice by the selectors.

“He is a talented batsman who is great to watch and bowls tidy left arm spin that we will assist him to develop next season.”

“Peter played some great innings under pressure for the Blues last season at No.3 and Stephen bowled well in his one day matches, especially against South Australia where he took two quick wickets to change the game.

“It is exciting for the club to have our players performing at this level.”