Rowing: Waddell's coach tempted ...

The man behind Rob Waddell's Olympic rowing gold medal could be about to leave New Zealand for better financial rewards overseas.

Personal coach Richard Tonks has received an offer for a coaching position, believed to be from the United States.

Tonks has left Sydney and is taking a 10-day holiday before returning to New Zealand.

Rowing New Zealand chief executive Mike Stanley said he had talked with Tonks about his future after Waddell's victory in the single sculls final on Saturday, but no agreement was reached.

"He is considering another offer but we didn't go into any detail about where it was from," Stanley said.

"We have some funding to continue with the current situation at the present time, but obviously we're clarifying just where we're going in terms of our coaching needs and what we can afford."

Tonks, a coxless four silver medallist at the 1972 Games, was funded mostly by the Sports Foundation as part of Waddell's Games campaign this year. His income was supplemented by RNZ.

He devoted the year to helping Waddell, following him in a coaching boat on the water for 30 hours a week and spending time discussing technical improvements.

New Zealand head coach Steve Gunn was unsure what Tonks would do next year.

"It wouldn't surprise me if he's had approaches and it would be very sad if he did go," Gunn said.

"One of the problems is that the core funding of rowing in New Zealand hasn't been all that solid and it's difficult to secure a long-term contract."

Despite Waddell's success, the future of Gunn is not assured. He was hopeful his contract would be extended beyond this year.

Stanley himself is stepping down from management. He will take up a strategic position with the sport's major sponsor, Mighty River Power, and devote a small amount of time to hands-on running of the sport.

- NZPA