North Esk rowers Jack Barrett and Connor Ryan will look to put their club on the map after being selected in Australia's Trans-Tasman under-21 team. The 19-year-old duo will be joined in the team by TIS coaches duo Brett Crow and Brendan Long, who were appointed head and assistant coach respectively. Ryan has set himself the task of improving on last year's return of gold, silver and bronze medals. "I think the main thing is that last year was more of just a 'first time' - I hadn't really had that experience before and now I think going over there again I see it as more of an opportunity to prove myself rather than an experience," Ryan said. "Because of the kind of event it is there's an opportunity there to show yourself - not only to row for Australia, but to make a statement." MORE SPORT: WBBL Hurricanes to host Sydney Sixers in Launceston Tasmania 'ready' for own NBL team The pair have both enjoyed successful seasons, with Barrett taking out the under-21 men's single scull at March's national championships in Sydney and Ryan a contender for the national under-23 team before dropping back an age group. Ryan credited hard work and the continued support of club coach Trevor Barrett with his and his teammate's continued success. "At the moment I'm training harder than I've ever trained and so is Jack," he said. "I think the good thing is we both have the opportunity to show what we can do as Tasmanians - and probably more as North Esk rowers - and show that this club can produce good athletes and that the program we have here at the moment is very strong. "I think it's up to me and Jack to put our best foot forward, train as hard as we can and race as fast as we can." Ryan was selected as men's lightweight single sculls reserve, while injury has allowed Barrett a sculler's spot in the Penrith leg which could carry over to Lake Karapiro. Long, a two-time Olympian, will travel to both destinations and provide a welcome familiar face for his two proteges. "As a coach it's something that I aim for as well, to get myself positioned in Australian teams to help improve my coaching," Long said. "I've only been doing this for nearly two years now so for me it's a progression in what I'm trying to do as well so I can help these guys continue to improve. "As a coach it's great to see athletes you work with making teams ... I guess you feel like what you're doing is working and helping them get to where they want to get. "They've both worked really hard with their training over the past 12 months working towards making an Australian team and they've both done really well this season." The Trans-Tasman Regatta will begin in Penrith on June 27 before crossing to the North Island's Lake Karapiro for another three-day event beginning August 22. Love local sport? Like our sports Facebook page here.