Rowing: Tonks named coach of the year

New Zealand chief rowing coach Richard Tonks was today (NZ time) named coach of the year by the International Rowing Federation (FISA).

The prize tops a great year for Tonks after the New Zealand team claimed a record breaking four gold medals at the world rowing championships in Japan last month.

New Zealand triumphed in the men's pair, men's single sculls, women's double and women's pair.

Tonks boasts one of the best coaching records in New Zealand following the scoop at Gifu on September 3 while he has formed successful relationships with some of the country's best rowers.

He coached double sculls pair Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell to Olympic gold in 2004 and world championships titles in 2002 and 2003 in addition to this year's win.

Tonks also coached Rob Waddell to gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and two World Championship titles in 1999 and 1998.

In addition, Tonks can lay claim to a number of other World Championship gold, silver and bronze medals including Philippa Baker and Brenda Lawson's world championship gold in the women's double sculls back in 1994.

"This a fantastic honour for Richard," Rowing New Zealand chief executive Craig Ross said.

"Richard will be extremely humbled by FISA's recognition. He has turned rowing coaching into an art form and his commitment and passion for his craft has now been officially recognised as being the best rowing coach in the world."

- NZPA