On the international stage he has trained individuals who have competed as Olympians, and players in the All Blacks, Black Ferns, Black Sticks, Touch Blacks and women's sevens and rugby league teams.
He continues to train local teams, club rugby, and schoolgirl rugby and netball.
And at the age of 75 he still runs training sessions every Monday and Wednesday after school in a local park - a service that is entirely voluntary.
"It's very humbling and a great honour for me, I never expected anything like this," Mr Edmonds said of today's honour.
"I ran my first marathon in 1982 and started training my own family, then others started asking me to train them and their kids.
"Over the years I started specialising in all sports for fitness training and speed training from sprinters to marathon runners.
"As an athletics coach I've pretty much covered all sports because in any sport the key to people's performance is their fitness.
"I've helped some very good athletes over the years like Caleb Ralph and Liam Messam, lots of sevens players, netballers and generally anybody, from kids right up to older people."
Even though he said he was "getting a bit old" he still turns up to Smallbone Park twice a week to help anyone who turns up.
The former trucking contractor said he had no formal coaching training and picked it up as he went along.
"Everyone I train taught me something different. If they come to you, you know they want to train, but if you have to force them, it's a lot harder.
"When they are forced I always tell them to come back when they are ready, otherwise they won't perform.
"It's been a great journey and watching some of them get to the top is a great feeling.
"You need to have a feeling for your athletes and what's good for them."
