The decision delivers change not seen in the shed this century, Sims taking over from Daniel Elliott who has held the position since 1999, while he was captain of boats for 22 years prior to that as well.

Sims was honoured to take on the role and said his main focus was to grow the sport around the region.

“The club members wanted a change of direction for the club,” Sims said.

“I’m pretty passionate about the growth of rowing in Ballarat, so to be a president of a rowing club is an opportunity to grow the sport and to be really community orientated in growing the club and the member-base.”

Sims spoke of the challenges rowing as a sport faces. The strong involvement in school programs is still strong, but it is retaining rowers after they leave school that is the difficulty.

Sims said a lot of his energy would be in growing the rowing community and utilising the great asset it has on its doorstep – Lake Wendouree.

“It’s a challenge that we have, that transition from school into amateur rowing.

“From my point of view, it’s making sure they’re supported when they do come back into the sport and feel welcomed and get them back out there.”

Sims is the rowing director at Loreto College and has enjoyed developing the school’s program.