Rick Willsmore: Owner and Head Tennis Professional
Rick is the founder and head coach at Scarborough Tennis Academy and has been running the academy for 13 years. As a player, he has played at a US college on a full scholarship and has played at state grade level in SA, NT and WA. As a player, Rick serves big for his size, rallies hard with big spin on his forehand, great timing on his double hand backhand and very soft hands at net and with a drop shot. Rick has created the courses held at Scarborough Tennis Academy and oversees everything involved in the business. Rick own coaching is focused on the Junior Club squads, teams and private tuition dividing his time between his role of Head Coach with overseeing the Academy’s operations.
Madalina Florea: Tennis Professional and Universal Tennis Manager
Madalina grew up in Romania where she was represented Romania at the 16 and Under National level. She played some tennis on the professional circuit before playing on a full scholarship at a US college. She has played and coached all over the world and now is with us at Scarborough Tennis Academy where she conducts private lessons, runs our adult program as well as being a part of our Junior Club and Hot Shots programs. A left handed player, she uses placement, spins and smarts when she plays. A yoga and fitness enthusiast, Madalina can offer experience and expertise to all levels of players.
Renata Silveira; Junior Coordinator and Tennis Professional
Renata grew up in Brazil where she become a qualified PE teacher as well as qualified tennis coach. She has many years experience working with junior tennis players and adult beginners where her high energy and compassionate coaching puts kids and adults at ease to enjoy their lesson and improve their game. Renata is responsible for our hotshots lessons, adult beginner lessons as well as being our junior coordinator which sees her organising and supervising junior pennant competition and the progressions of our young hotshots players through the ranks.
Anthony Lau; Office Manager and Chief Racquet Technician.
Anthony has been through our program as a parent to 3 strong junior players. He has a background in engineering and business management and in 2018 took over the role as Office Manager for the tennis academy. Anthony helps people arrange make up lessons and changes in enrolment as well as administration of our coaching teams schedules, court bookings and invoicing and new enquiries. Anthony is also a qualified racquet technician which means he is in charge of the restringing at Scarborough Tennis. Anthony is also a keen social tennis player at Scarborough Tennis Club.
Melvyn Scholtz; Tennis Professional
Melvyn has been a long term academy coach and provides passionate and caring Hot Shots coaching lessons. Melvyn helps the children feel comfortable and whilst maintaining good control of the class, he inspires them to learn, improve and have fun! As a player, Melvyn took up the sport as an adult and loves to rally back and forth from the baseline with his top spin forehand and one hand backhand. On top of tennis coaching, Melvyn also has Tango dancing, painting and many other artistic pursuits to his list of skills. Melvyn conducts both Hot Shot group and private lessons at the Academy and is always up for a chat about how lucky we are to be playing tennis!
Tim Lau: Tennis Professional
Tim grew up as an academy player winning multiple junior pennant premierships, competing in state tournaments and winning multiple club championships. Tim was also part of the Hale 1st team where he was Captain. Tim has evolved into a very competent coach who takes hotshots classes through to some adult private lessons and junior club players. Tim is currently doing a double degree at UWA so is very busy but still contributes to the tennis program a couple of days per week.
Benjy Lau; Tennis Professional
Benjy has grown up at Scarborough Tennis playing strong junior pennant competition, tournaments and also playing for his school at Hale. Benjy showed great leadership at the school, joining his brother Tim with the prestigious honour of being captain of the Hale 1st team. Benjy is a patient coach who can help hotshots players and some junior club players. Benjy is currently doing a Philosophy degree at UWA.
Troy Skopelitis; Tennis Professional
Troy grew up in South Africa before moving to Brisbane where he was part of the state tennis programs as well as being a strong cricketer. Troy and his family ended up moving to Perth where his Dad is the Head Coach at East Fremantle Tennis Club and Troy enjoyed and thrived playing Division 1 and State League junior level tennis and some state tournaments. Troy also enjoys surfing and other outdoor pursuits and is starting his University course in 2025. Troy is an enthusiastic, talented coach who is working across both hotshots and also junior club squad program.