Warrnambool hockey player Callum Bridge wins SWAS's highest gong

The ceremony was held at Deakin University.

The Warrnambool teenager, who is a Brauer College student, was awarded not just for his on-field achievements but also his hard work off-field, including attending SWAS education and gym sessions.

Bridge is in the Hockey Victoria open men's state country program. He's also been part of state junior teams.

His home club is Technique and he also plays for Werribee in Vic League 1, the state's second-highest competition.

Former elite athlete turned businesswoman Carol Fox held a one-one Q and A with Hamilton's Olympic and Paralympic table tennis player Melissa Tapper.

Fox's achievements came in swimming, water polo and surf lifesaving.

There were two major sections of the academy's awards.

Sports awards went to Eddie Worrall (cycling), Tom Clark (clay target shooting), Hamish Braithwaite (football), George Beasley (golf), Callum Bridge and Zoe Klopak (hockey), Shelby O'Sullivan (netball) and Marcus McClintock (tennis).

There were also sport awards for individual athletes Chloe Mutton, Millicent Illingworth, Caytlyn Sharp, Matilda Mason, Zoe Addinsall, Sophie Grist, Maddison Drake.

Strength and conditioning awards went to Kiarna Murfett (Moyne Shire), Marnie Mueller (Glenelg Shire), Ellorah McConachy and Joshua Jellie (Southern Grampians), Darcy Abbott and Nellie Sadler (Corangamite), Riley Ontronen and Jamieson Mueglitz (Warrnambool) and Adele McNamara (online).

Keely Beaton took out the holistic achievement award for demonstrating resilience throughout the coronavirus pandemic-impacted year and attending as many SWAS events as she could.

The pandemic meant many athletes missed out on opportunities to compete at state or national level.