Hayley Verbunt OLY

VIC | Mercantile Rowing Club

Hayley “Hayls” Verbunt is a trailblazing coxswain from Brighton, Victoria, whose calm command, tactical intelligence, and infectious energy have made her an integral figure in Australia’s elite rowing ranks. A second-year National Training Centre (NTC) scholar and proud member of Mercantile Rowing Club, Hayley balances her time between coxing Australia’s fastest boats, studying commerce at the University of Melbourne, and coaching the First VIII at St Catherine’s School, VIC.

A graduate of Firbank Grammar School, Hayley found her passion for rowing in school, and after graduating, joined a club with her friends, just to keep enjoying the sport. What started as a love for team dynamics and racing soon evolved into a high-performance pathway, encouraged by the mentorship of coaches like Nick Mitchell, Sam Fennessy, and David Colvin.

Her early national achievements include a 2021 U21 Women’s Four title, and consecutive Queen’s Cup victories with Victoria in 2023 and 2024. In 2024, she also coxed the Open Women’s Eight to a national title.

Internationally, Hayley made her senior Australian Rowing Team debut at the 2023 World Rowing Championships, her first major international event, where she helped steer the Women’s Eight to a Bronze medal. A year later, she was back in the coxswain seat for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where the Australian Women’s Eight finished fourth, the best result in the event for Australia at any Olympic Games. That campaign, she says, was unforgettable: “I’m so thankful for my amazing crew and our journey.”

Now entering the 2025 season, Hayley’s goals are clear: make the Australian Women’s Eight again, win medals at the World Rowing Cups, and claim the prestigious Remenham Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta.

Off the water, Hayley enjoys baking, bushwalking, beach days, running, and sipping Moccona coffee. 

Hayley is currently a member of the  Australian Women's Eight. 

Last updated May 9, 2025.