Sport Overview

Throughout the past 12 years ‘AIS Talent Search now the ’National Talent Identification and Development program has worked in cooperation with the state based Institutes and Academies to run generic talent identification programs in a number of sports including that of rowing. In late 2005, to build on the success of previous programs, the AIS appointed a Senior Talent Search Coordinator to work closely with Rowing Australia, their affiliated state associations and the state institutes and academies to develop specific outcome based high quality identification and development rowing projects.

NTID Rowing aims to provide scientific and developmental support for the establishment of outcome based elite developmental rowing programs around Australia. Working closely with the State Bodies NTID rowing has implemented a number of targeted identification and development programs that have identified a niche lacking within the current pathway. Our primarily goal is to assist the states in delivering a high performance environment that will fast track talented athletes into the state and national teams.

NTID Rowing hopes to foster the already strong linkages between school rowing communities and the high-performance rowing program throughout Australia, and to establish such linkages on a continuing, coordinated, national basis.

Current Projects

NTID Rowing has the following projects underway to identify and develop future rowing champions.

Junior Passport Program (QLD)

Annually recruit and develop talented athletes capable of winning World Junior medals for the Men’s Junior 4X and the Women’s Junior 4X events. By targeting the best talented school rowing athletes leaving Queensland rowing schools.

Rising Talent (QLD)

An early identification and recruitment program within the rowing schools of QLD to overcome the drain of talented athletes and coaches to other sports. Rising Talent assists the schools in the early targeting or tagging of talented rowing athletes and positions rowing as a “Sport of Choice”.

Different Strokes (VIC)

Based on a talent transfer model, Different Strokes has targeted existing athletes with a significant training background from outside the sport of rowing in the 18-25 age group and aims to feed those athletes directly into the national under 23 or senior team within a 2 year period.

Riverland to London (SA)

SA has had great success with Talent programs over the past 15 years; however these successes have been limited to metropolitan Adelaide. With ample water and the largest population outside of Adelaide, the Riverland area in SA is the ideal regional area for identification and development. Riverland to London aims to recruit, retain and develop rowers into the state elite development program and onto London!

Townsville Talent Catch (QLD)

Aims to capture school leavers from the Townsville school rowing programs and develop a junior program that encourages the participation and development of elite rowers, by providing a pathway for those elite rowers after school that does not currently exist.

Dream Stream (TAS)

A ‘dual’ tiered project to search for junior athletes new to the sport (Squad B – 15 to 16 years) and those within the current school rowing system (Squad A – 17 to 20 years) who possess the physical and physiological characteristics conducive to success at the elite level in rowing.

North Coast Talent Search (NSW)

Underpinning the current North Coast Academy of Sport’s (NCAS) pre-elite squad this program aims to identify athletes throughout the North Coast region of NSW with no or little experience as well as athletes who are already rowing and have proven themselves to be talented through their race results. The program adds value by providing each individual athlete with the necessary skills, coaching support and technical direction, within a holistic program, aimed at national and international success.

First Strokes (ACT)

Based on physical and physiological characteristics including height, arm span, aerobic endurance, and maximal power output this program aims to identify novice athletes (14 and 15 years) within the ACT that demonstrate the potential for success in rowing at an elite level.

London Lightweights (QLD)

Camps based program targeting under 21 lightweight men and women rowers throughout QLD. The program also serves as a forum for lightweight coaches to share information and to plan a collaborative approach for athlete development.

Tasmanian Remote Rowers (TAS)

In partnership with the Mersey Rowing Club, Tasmanian Remote Rowers is designed to introduce rowing into the schools around Devonport TAS. Those students who demonstrate potential for the sport will receive further support from the Tasmanian Rowing Council and the Tasmanian Institute of Sport rowing development programs.

National Testing Protocols (RA)

The establishment of National Testing Protocols to assist in the identification and tracking of rowing talent, for novice, junior and under 23 athletes.

Squads

NTID is currently supporting over 100 developing athletes within the rowing pathway. Please visit the individual program pages for more details on the individual squads.

Results

2007 World U23 Championships

• Tom Swann Breaking the Drought M4x  3^rd
• Blair Brown Breaking the Drought M1x  2^nd (C Final)
• Jonathan Hookway Dream Stream BLM4  3^rd (B Final)

2007 World Junior Championships

• Angus Morton Passport Program JM4x 2^nd (B Final)

2007 Australian Championships

• Jared Bidwell Breaking the Drought M4x 2^nd
• Blair Brown Breaking the Drought M4x 2^nd
• Tom Swann Breaking the Drought M4x 2^nd
• Nick Harris Breaking the Drought M4x 2^nd
• Steffanee Colgrave NCAS Talent Search WU19 4x  1^st  
• Ashleigh Peppernell NCAS Talent Search WU19 4x 1^st 
• Rachel See NCAS Talent Search WU19 4x 1^st  
• Nicole West NCAS Talent Search WU19 4x 1^st  
• Ashleigh Peppernell NCAS Talent Search WU19 4- 1^st  
• Sarah Jones NCAS Talent Search WU17 2X 2^nd
• Johanna Tarrant NCAS Talent Search WU17 2X 2^nd
• Sam Gallard Riverland to London U17 M1x 2^nd

2008 U23 National Team

• Jared Bidwell Breaking the Drought M4x
• Blair Brown Breaking the Drought M4x
• Tom Swann Breaking the Drought M4x

2008 Junior Team

• Ashleigh Peppernell NCAS Talent Search JW4
• Racheal See NCAS Talent Search JW4
• Alex Hagan Bunbury JW1x

Program Supporters

• Rowing Australia
• Australian Sports Commission
• Ted Hale Boats
• South Australian Institute of Sport
• Tasmanian Institute of Sports
• Victorian Institute of Sport
• ACT Academy of Sport
• Queensland Academy of Sport

Contacts/Links

Rowing Australia

For further information and enquires please click here

Testimonials

“NCAS Rowing has lifted to a new level of delivery and results over the past two years as a result of the NTID funding and has become one of our highest performing programs. 5 out of 5 stars!!”Tony Clarke, Director, North Coast Academy of Sport

“The NTID funding for this project has been the catalyst for RQI to address a serious flaw in our high performance pathways. The incentives from the NTID and the subsequent partnerships provided an invaluable step in our pathway from school to elite development.” Gary Merritt, High Performance Manager, RQI

Did you know?

Australia is one of only two nations to have competed in every modern Summer Olympic Games

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