Bendigo Academy of Sport Annual Presentation Evening

The Bendigo Academy of Sport’s Annual Presentation Gala Evening celebrated the successes of the athletes and coaches for the 2019-2021 years, with the evening combining last year’s Gala with this year.

The 2019/20 Bendigo Academy of Sport Athlete of the Year went to Olivia Quigley [Tennis]

Olivia was awarded the Gary Tierney Memorial Scholarship Award at a Gala Ceremony on Friday 14th May at the All Seasons presented by John McGrath long-time family friend of Gary Tierney and Linden Hall [VIS Athlete, Rio Olympian and set to compete in Tokyo as well as being the first Australian female to run under the four-minute mark for the 1500m].

Olivia has achieved the following:

  • Represented Victoria 3 times in the Australian Schools Tennis Competition – Pizzy Cup
  • Has a national ranking of 144 in Australia (Ash Barty is number 1)
  • Plays Women’s Grade 1 for Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club which is the highest grade/level in teams competition in Victoria

 

Olivia has been in the BAS Tennis Squad since the inaugural program in 2013, making her the longest serving BAS athlete, in the academy’s 26-year history.

 

The 2020/21 Bendigo Academy of Sport Athlete of the Year went to Isabella Crossman [Tennis]

Isabella was awarded the Gary Tierney Memorial Scholarship Award for the second year at the BAS Presentation Evening also presented by John and Linden.

Isabella has achieved the following:

  • Represented Victoria in the Foundation Cup and was very successful
  • Won a 12 and under National Grass Court Double’s Title
  • Currently has a national ranking of 12 for her birth year and a state ranking of 4 for her birth year in Victoria
  • Has a national ranking of 409, in Women’s

At a young age, Bella is always eager to learn. Her ability to fight and mental toughness is a tremendous asset to have.

 

2019/20 Academy Coach of the Year – Glenn Woodhatch

Glenn has been the coach of the Bendigo Academy of Sport Clay Target squad since the program started in 2014. Glenn was the driving force behind Clay Target Shooting becoming an associated sport with the Academy and providing 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. The shooters have excelled under Glenn’s guidance and tutelage and are fortunate to have Glenn as a coach. Athletes coached by Glenn have enjoyed success and this reflects his understanding of the sport and being able to impart his wealth of knowledge to the young athletes.

 

2020/21 Academy Coach of the Year – Melissa Ryan

Melissa is also another long-time coach with the Academy having been the head coach of the Bendigo Netball program since it commenced in 2013.

It was pleasing to see Melissa nominated for the coach of the year award for 2020, noting the extra effort that Melissa went to last year during COVID.

As a testament to the efforts of Mellissa and the athletes, 16 athletes were selected in the Netball Victoria 2021 Northern Zone U17 Talent Academy, which is an outstanding result out of a group of 20 athletes.

 

“Frank Roberts’s outstanding service award” – Margaret Keech OAM

Margaret has been a stalwart of the Bendigo Academy of Sport since joining the Board in 2006. Within 12 months she became Chair and held that position until she retired in 2019. In addition, she was an active member of the Finance and HR sub-committees.

Margaret’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 BBQs and lunches when her children were involved in the Bendigo Hire Volleyball Squad.

Margaret had a close friendship with Frank Roberts and Frank would be chuffed to think of Margaret being the 20/21 recipient.

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

 

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

 

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