Madeleine Edmunds
Commercial Rowing Club (QLD)
Madeleine Edmunds, widely known as Maddie Edmunds, has proven herself as one of the premier Australian rowers of her generation. From her early triumphs at the national level to her notable international achievements, Maddie’s career has been defined by consistency, versatility, and an unwavering commitment to the sport. She has excelled in both the single and crewed sculling boats, achieving podium finishes across a wide range of competitions, including the World Rowing Cups, World Rowing Championships, and Olympic Games. Her journey showcases her adaptability and determination, particularly in the highly competitive world of rowing.
Early Years and Rising Talent (2008-2009)
Maddie Edmunds’ rowing career began with impressive results in 2008. At 16 years old, she captured first place in the Under 17 Single Scull at the Australian National Championships, a feat that immediately announced her talent to the rowing world. She also helped her team win first place in the Interstate Youth Eight, further showcasing her versatility across boat classes. At the World Junior Rowing Championships, she and her partner finished seventh in the Double Scull, which was a solid international debut and a sign of her potential on the global stage.
In 2009, Maddie continued to make waves in the junior ranks. She earned second place in the Under 19 Single Scull at the Australian National Championships, and first place in both the Under 19 Quad Scull and the Under 19 Double Scull. Her talent was also recognized in the Schoolgirl Single Scull, where she took home another first place. At the World Rowing Junior Championships, Maddie and her team finished second in the Quad Scull, an outstanding result that placed her among the world’s best junior rowers.
2009 World Junior Championships W4x with Maddie in two seat
Dominating the National Stage and International Recognition (2010-2012)
2010 was a breakout year for Maddie. She clinched the first place in both the Under 19 Single Scull and the Under 19 Double Scull at the Australian National Championships and contributed to another first-place finish with the Interstate Youth Eight. She also showcased her prowess in the Under 23 Quad Scull, taking home first place. At the World Rowing Junior Championships, she and her partner finished fourth in the Double Scull, continuing to build her international presence.
In 2011, Maddie began to make her mark in the senior categories, securing third place in the Under 23 Single Scull and Under 23 Double Scull at the Australian National Championships. At the World Under 23 Rowing Championships, she finished ninth in the Single Scull, solidifying her position as a rising star in the Australian rowing scene. Her performance in the World Rowing Cup III, where she finished seventeenth in the Single Scull, was an early lesson in the fierce competition she would continue to face at the highest levels.
In 2012, Maddie’s dominance at the Australian National Championships continued. She won first place in the Under 23 Single Scull, under 23 Double Scull, and Under 23 Quad Scull, and was part of the Interstate Eight that finished second in the Queens Cup. At the World Under 23 Rowing Championships, she earned first place in the Quad Scull, a major international victory that marked a high point in her career.
World Class Performances and a Rio Olympic Journey (2013-2016)
By 2013, Maddie had firmly established herself as one of the top Australian rowers. She won first place in the Quad Scull at the Australian National Championships and helped the Queensland Interstate Eight claim second in the Queens Cup. At the World Rowing Cup I, she took first place in the Quad Scull, solidifying her status on the international stage. She continued to perform well internationally, finishing third at both World Rowing Cup II and World Rowing Cup III, and placed eighth at the World Rowing Championships.
Maddie continued to dominate in 2014. She won first place in the Quad Scull at World Rowing Cup I, and though she faced tough competition, she finished fourth at both World Rowing Cup II and World Rowing Cup III. Her performance at the World Rowing Championships, where she placed fourth, was a major step toward challenging for global titles.
In 2015, Maddie continued to showcase her abilities, winning second place in both the Double Scull and Quad Scull at the Australian National Championships, and second in the Queens Cup with the Interstate Eight. At the World Rowing Cup II, she finished fifth in the Quad Scull and achieved second place at the World Rowing Cup III. At the World Rowing Championships, she earned fifth place in the Quad Scull. These results demonstrated her consistency and commitment to competing at the highest level.
Rio 2016 Olympics and Continued Success (2016-2018)
Maddie’s crowning achievement came at the Rio 2016 Olympics, where she competed in the Quad Scull. Though her team finished seventh, the experience of competing on the Olympic stage was a significant milestone in her career, providing invaluable experience at the world’s most prestigious sporting event.
Maddie stroking 2016 Olympic Quad in Rio
Back on the national scene, Maddie continued to achieve remarkable success. In 2017, she won first place in both the Single Scull and Double Scull at the Australian National Championships, and helped her team win first in the Open Eight and Interstate Single Scull. Despite challenges on the international stage, she showed resilience, finishing third in the World Rowing Championship Double Scull that year.
2018 was another standout year. Maddie earned first place in the Single Scull, Double Scull, and Open Eight at the Australian National Championships, with further top three finishes in international events, including a seventh-place finish at the World Rowing Championship in the Single Scull. Her ability to consistently challenge the best in the world continued to define her career.
Legacy and Conclusion
Madeleine Edmunds’ career is a testament to her consistency, versatility, and resilience. From her early triumphs in the Under 17 and Under 19 categories to her strong performances in Quad Sculls, Single Sculls, and Double Sculls, Maddie’s dedication to her craft has made her a force in Australian rowing. She has represented her country with distinction at the World Rowing Championships, World Rowing Cups, and the Olympic Games, leaving a legacy of excellence that will continue to inspire the next generation of rowers.
Maddie’s story is one of perseverance, as she has navigated the challenges of elite-level competition, overcome setbacks while consistently pushing to improve. Her numerous national titles and podium finishes on the world stage underscore her remarkable achievements.
Some rowing achievements
2008 Australian National Championship Under 17 Single Scull – First
2008 Australian National Championship Interstate Youth Eight – First
2008 World Junior Rowing Championships Double Scull – Seventh
2009 Australian National Championship Under 19 Single Scull – Second
2009 Australian National Championship Under 19 Quad Scull – First
2009 Australian National Championship Under 19 Double Scull – First
2009 Australian National Championship Schoolgirl Single Scull – First
2009 Australian National Championship Interstate Youth Eight – First
2009 World Rowing Junior Championships Quad Scull – Second
2010 Australian National Championship Under 19 Single Scull – First
2010 Australian National Championship Under 23 Quad Scull – First
2010 Australian National Championship Under 19 Double Scull – First
2010 Australian National Championship Interstate Youth Eight – First
2010 World Rowing Junior Championships Double Scull – Fourth
2011 Australian National Championship Under 23 Single Scull – Third
2011 Australian National Championship Under 23 Double Scull – Third
2011 Australian National Championship Interstate Youth Eight – First
2011 World Rowing Cup III Women’s Single Scull – Seventeenth
2011 World Under 23 Rowing Championship Single Scull – Ninth
2012 Australian National Championship Under 23 Single Scull – First
2012 Australian National Championship Under 23 Double Scull – First
2012 Australian National Championship Under 23 Quad Scull – First
2012 Australian National Championship Interstate Eight Queens Cup – Second
2012 World Under 23 Rowing Championship Quad Scull – First
2013 Australian National Championship Quad Scull – First
2013 Australian National Championship Interstate Eight Queens Cup – Second
2013 World Rowing Cup I Quad Scull – First
2013 World Rowing Cup II Quad Scull – Third
2013 World Rowing Cup III Quad Scull – Third
2013 World Rowing Championship Quad Scull – Eighth
2014 World Rowing Cup I Quad Scull – First
2014 World Rowing Cup II Quad Scull – Fourth
2014 World Rowing Cup III Quad Scull – Fourth
2014 World Rowing Championship Quad Scull – Fourth
2015 Australian National Championship Double Scull – Second
2015 Australian National Championship Quad Scull – Second
2015 Australian National Championship Interstate Eight Queens Cup – Second
2015 World Rowing Cup II Quad Scull – Fifth
2015 World Rowing Cup III Quad Scull – Second
2015 World Rowing Championship Quad Scull – Fifth
2016 Australian National Championship Single Scull – Second
2016 Australian National Championship Quad Scull – First
2016 Australian National Championship Interstate Eight Queens Cup – Second
2016 World Rowing Cup II Quad Scull – Fifth
2016 World Rowing Cup III Quad Scull – Second
2016 Rio Olympic Games Quad Scull – Seventh
2017 Australian National Championship Single Scull – First
2017 Australian National Championship Double Scull – First
2017 Australian National Championship Open Eight – First
2017 Australian National Championship Interstate Single Scull – First
2017 Australian National Championship Interstate Eight Queens Cup – Third
2017 World Rowing Cup II Double Scull – Third
2017 World Rowing Cup III Double Scull – Fourth
2017 World Rowing Championship Double Scull – Third
2018 Australian National Championship Single Scull – First
2018 Australian National Championship Double Scull – First
2018 Australian National Championship Open Eight – First
2018 Australian National Championship Interstate Single Scull – First
2018 Australian National Championship Interstate Eight Queens Cup – Third
2018 World Rowing Cup II Single Scull – Fifth
2018 World Rowing Cup III Single Scull – Eighth
2018 World Rowing Championship Single Scull – Seventh
Jack Hargreaves
April 2025