High-performance development co-ordinator Simon Gadsden brings Rowing Australia’s talent identification system to Ballarat today with the aim of identifying future stars.

Gadsden’s position was funded by Rowing Australia in 2011 with a view to identifying and nurturing talented individuals within Victoria – a long-term initiative aimed at Rio Olympics 2016.

Today’s visit to Ballarat, Gadsden’s first in the newly-created role, will see two school students tested under the system.

Gadsden said the students were nominated for 2012 under-19 national selection.

He told The Courier it was the first in a series of trips he would make to the city this year.

It comes just days after Ballarat’s medal haul at the Rowing Victoria State Championships at Nagambie.

With Head of the Lake approaching at Lake Wendouree on March 4, Gadsden said he was “keeping an eye” on performances.

“Within the rowing programs at Ballarat they’ve got a pretty proud history of athletics,” he said.

“At the moment, my focus has been on schools with rowing programs.

“Once I’ve completed that testing I’ll be looking at non-rowing schools. I’ll be working hands-on with sport co-ordinators and heads of sport at schools.”

Rowing Australia’s talent identification system uses the average scores of the 2011 national junior team as a benchmark. Gadsden said Rowing Australia had the capacity to work with boys or girls who beat the benchmark.

He will return to Ballarat in mid-March, after Head of the Lake, to test boys and girls within the city’s school rowing programs.

But non-rowing schools will have a look in too.

Gadsden said during April to August the focus would widen to non-rowing schools and the wider community.