The awards were presented earlier this month at the academy's gala presentation evening, at which the successes of both athletes and coaches were celebrated.

Due to a COVID-interrupted sports year in 2019-20, two years' worth of awards were presented on the night.

Quigley, the athlete of the year for 2019-20, has represented Victoria three times in the Australian Schools Tennis Competition's Pizzy Cup, has a national-ranking of 144 in Australia and plays grade one women's for Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, which is the highest level in teams competition in Victoria.

She has been a member of the BAS tennis squad since the inaugural program in 2013, making her the longest-serving athlete in the academy's 26-year history.

Crossman, the athlete of the year for 2020-21, is now a two-time winner of the scholarship.

She represented Victoria with success in the Foundation Cup and is a 12-and-under national grass court doubles champion.

Crossman currently has a national-ranking of 12 for her birth year and a state -ranking of four for her birth year in Victoria.

She has a national-ranking of 409 in women's tennis.

Both scholarships were presented by John McGrath, a long-time family friend of Gary Tierney, and Rio Olympian Linden Hall, the first Australian female to run under the four-minute mark for the 1500m, and who will again represent her country at this year's Tokyo Olympics.

Meanwhile, Glenn Woodhatch (2019-20) and Melissa Ryan (2020-21) were crowned academy coaches of the year.

BAS executive officer Graham Gordon said Woodhatch, as coach of the clay target shooting squad since its inception in 2014, had been the driving force behind it becoming an associated sport with the academy and had provided the opportunities for many shooters over the years to improve as athletes and develop personally.

"It was great that Glenn was nominated for this award by the recent athletes, but also for his devotion to the program now over several years," he said.

"The shooters have excelled under Glenn's guidance and tutelage and are fortunate to have him as a coach."

Ryan is also another long-time coach with the academy, having been the head coach of the Bendigo netball program since its inception in 2013.

Gordon said her nomination was recognition for the extra effort she put in during the COVID-period.

"As a testament to the efforts of Mellissa and the athletes, 16 athletes were selected in the Netball Victoria 2021 Northern Zone Under-17 Talent Academy, which is an outstanding result out of a group of 20 athletes," he said.

Winner of the Frank Roberts outstanding service award was Margaret Keech OAM, who has been a stalwart of the academy since joining the board in 2006.

Within 12 months she became chair and held that position until she retired in 2019.

She was also an active member of the finance and human resources sub-committees.

Gordon said Keech's passion for sport and volunteering came to the fore where she could oversee the running of the academy and be a volunteer/parent, assisting with volleyball barbecues and lunches, when her children were involved in the volleyball squad.

"Margaret had a close friendship with Frank Roberts and Frank would be chuffed to think of Margaret being the 2020-21 recipient," he said.

"We thank Margaret for her many years of support and leadership in supporting the many young athletes of the region."

Individual athlete of the year and encouragement awards were also presented in each of the academy's sports categories.

2020-2021 Bendigo Academy of Sport Award winners:

Canoeing - athlete of the year: Jorja Mandersloot; coaches encouragement: Jack Gregory and Sophie Hughes.

Clay target shooting - athlete of the year: Connor O'Brien; coaches encouragement: Troy Anderson.

Individual athletes - athlete of the year: Austin Spiteri; coaches encouragement: Angelica Jack.

Netball Bendigo - athlete of the Year: Keegan Amos; coaches encouragement - Sophie Giles.

Netball North East - athlete of the year: Harriet Gall; coaches encouragement: Mia Annie Harvey.

Tennis - athlete of the year: Isabella Crossman; coaches encouragement: Joshua Bavich.

2019/2020 Bendigo Academy of Sport Award winners:

Canoeing - athlete of the year: Baelea Collins; coaches encouragement: Jorja Mandersloot.

Clay target shooting - athlete of the year: Cameron Ford; coaches encouragement: Morgan Carroll-Keays.

Golf - athlete of the year: D'Arcy Whyte; coaches encouragement: James Ralph.

Individual athletes - athlete of the year: Angelica Jack; coaches encouragement: Caitlin Richardson.

Netball Bendigo - athlete of the year: Cayde Hayes; coaches encouragement: Jasmin Gallagher.

Netball North East - athlete of the year: Jazmin Clark; coaches encouragement: Mia Lavis.

Tennis - athlete of the year: Olivia Quigley; coaches encouragement: Deagan Tomkins.

Volleyball - athlete of the year: Abe Penny; coaches encouragement: Matthew Barake.

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