"I have done the research and we have never had a national selector from Otago before," Cycling Otago president Chris Henderson told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
"Otago cycling is stoked about Shane's appointment. He is articulate and intelligent and will be an asset to the sport.
"BikeNZ has big plans for Shane and we expect him to go to new heights."
Melrose (31), a third-year College of Education student, brings a lot of cycling experience to the job.
He was a New Zealand junior representative, a junior and senior champion and a junior record-holder.
He gained a national junior title in the 2km individual pursuit and a New Zealand record in that event with a time of 2min 25sec. It lasted for 10 years.
In senior ranks, he won a gold medal in the scratch race and in the teams pursuit.
Melrose grew up in Invercargill and came to Dunedin in 2003 to set up a roofing company. He later spent three years as the Sport Otago development officer for cycling.
He has been on the Cycling Otago committee since arriving in Dunedin and has been an Otago selector for the past four years.
Melrose comes into the job at a time when there is a lot of young talent on display in New Zealand cycling. Kiwi cyclists won 10 medals at the recent junior world championships in Moscow.
"There are a lot of really talented riders around at the moment and many come from the South Island," he said.
"It's good that we have a selector at this end of the country so we can identify this talent and help develop it."
Cycling, rowing and athletics are three New Zealand sports that are making their mark on the international scene.
"Living in New Zealand lends itself to these sports," Melrose said. 'They are all sports that require a big commitment.
"Our competitors train hard and train a lot. New Zealanders do well at a lot of things because we stick at it."
Melrose sees his role as identifying the talent and making sure that promising cyclists get the help they need to become internationals.
"I want to see these cyclists get more opportunities to go as far as they can in their careers," he said.
Melrose has already identified some promising cycling talent in Otago. One of the best is Sophie Williamson, from Central Otago, who won a world junior bronze medal last week.
"There are also a number of cyclists emerging from secondary schools and former international Susy Pryde is driving that," Melrose said.
He hopes riders from this group will go on to represent New Zealand.
Melrose also has ambitions for himself.
"I would like to go on an become a senior selector and become involved with coaching on the track," he said.
"But I won't become involved in coaching juniors while I am a selector. I want to remain impartial."
International cycling
Junior events
• World road championships, Holland (October)
• Oceania track championships, Invercargill (November)
• World junior track championships, Invercargill (January)
