McManus and Cheatle took home the major honours at the Berrima District Sports Awards (BDSA) ceremony on Friday night at the Mittagong RSL Club.

Cyclist McManus won the BDSA senior sportsperson of the year while cricketer Cheatle received the junior equivalent.

The BDSA committee recognises the best junior and senior athletes in the Highlands each month over a 12-month period.

McManus was nominated for the January monthly award after representing Australia at the UCI World Championships in Mexico.

McManus said it was a "special recognition" to take home the BDSA senior champion award.

"It's a great honour to win a local sport award," he said.

"I definitely had some good competition in the awards."

Cheatle was the junior champion for December after being recognised for captaining the Highlands under-16s cricket team.

Cheatle was the only girl in the side which won the Southern Zone competition. She said she was shocked to win the BDSA award.

"I didn't expect it at all," she said.

"It's a privilege because it was my fourth year as a nominee."

A large crowd attended the BDSA award ceremony.

Several other awards were handed out at the event.

Bowral Bowling Club stalwart Gordon Lewis won the Alex McLean Award, which recognises the effort made by Highlands sportspeople behind the scenes.

The Moss Vale Hockey Club under-11s team won the junior team of the year award.

For the second successive year, the Moss Vale Golf Club Emily Hurt Shield team was named senior team of the year.

The Chevalier College first grade rugby union side won the top school of the year honour.

The Southern Highlands state under-13s division three indoor hockey team and Moss Vale Magic under-12s girls basketball team shared the state champions honour.

Eleven young Highlanders also won the junior achievers awards.

* Click here to view a gallery of photos from the BDSA awards ceremony.