[6][7][8][9][10][11][12] He made his first Australian team in 2002, placing 4th in the men's eight at the 2002 Nations Cup (now World Under 23 Rowing Championships) in Genoa, Italy.

[13] The following year he was again a member of the Australian under 23 men's eight, which this time won a bronze medal at the 2003 Nations Cup in Belgrade, Serbia.

Ryan was struck down by illness and had to be replaced for the race by fellow Sydney University Boat Club member Terrence Alfred and the crew achieved qualification for the Olympic Games.

[18] Hegerty was selected in an unchanged Men's Coxless Four for the 2009 World Rowing Championships in Poznan, Poland and won a silver medal.

[19] In 2010 Hegerty moved in the Australian Men's Eight which won a bronze medal at the 2010 World Rowing Championships at Lake Karapiro, New Zealand.