The 18-year-old lightweight single sculler is the only Tasmanian representative across three teams named by Rowing Australia, which also includes the under-23 and juniors. 

Under the tutelage of North Esk coaches Trevor Barrett and Barry Townsend, Ryan has been able to transition from school rower to achieving his dream of representing Australia. 

Rowing Tasmania chief executive Rob Prescott said Ryan’s development has been a reflection of the process that identifies young athletes.

“Rowing Tasmania, along with the Tasmanian Institute of Sport and Rowing Australia aims to provide a platform for aspiring athletes to transition from the school programs to rowing clubs and then hopefully gaining national representation,” he said. 

Prescott believes rowing in Tasmania remains in a strong position having had regular representation at Olympic Games, peaking with seven representatives in 2012. 

“We had a large group of elite athletes retire and move onto the next stage of their lives after the 2016 Olympics. This has opened up a gap in some divisions, but we still have a good representation of athletes at junior levels.”  

The Australian under-21 rowing team will compete in Sydney from June 28 to 30 then on Lake Karapiro in New Zealand, from August 23 to 25.