Johnston, 17, will head to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra over Easter for a camp which will test the rowers' physical and mental capabiltiies.

From the camp, 24 rowers, 12 boys and 12 girls, will be selected for a tour of New Zealand in May where they will compete against local club and possibly NZ national crews.

Johnston's selection came after the national championships in Tasmania, where he won a bronze medal as part of Grammar's coxed quad scull crew. He won gold in the same event last year.

"(The selection) came as a huge shock, but I was very thrilled though,'' Johnston said.

"It's a very big encouragement. You know you've been noticed, that's the best thing about it.

"It will be interesting to see how I go (in the tests).''

But Johnston is also focusing on his year 12 studies.

He is doing well in that regard, having attended the National Youth Science Forum in Canberra.

"I'd love to make the team, but year 12 is what I want to do well in,'' he said.

"I've been able to balance my rowing and school quite well.''