Meet the Team
Friendly. Experienced. Passionate.
Our coaches are more than instructors — they’re mentors who care about each player’s journey on and off the court.
🎾 Rick Willsmore — Owner & Head Tennis Professional
Rick is the founder and Head Coach of Scarborough Tennis Academy, which he has led since 2007. With a background that includes U.S. college tennis on a full scholarship and state-level competition across SA, NT, and WA, Rick brings both expertise and vision to the academy.
Over the years, he has mentored players from their very first Hot Shots lesson all the way to national junior finals, guiding their development on and off the court.
He oversees all programs and operations, and coaches Junior Club squads, competition teams, and private clients.
Plays: Right-handed | Backhand: Double-handed
🎾 Madalina Florea — Tennis Professional & UTR Manager
Originally from Romania, Madalina represented her country at national level, played professionally, and earned a full scholarship to a U.S. college. She has coached around the world and brings a passionate energy and a genuine love for developing players.
Madalina has proven herself in the talent development space and is actively involved in Tennis West’s State Super 10s program as a coach and mentor. She also hosts UTR tournaments and works closely with our Junior Club squads, helping players transition from learning to competing.
At Scarborough Tennis, she runs our adult program, coaches private lessons, and supports the performance and development of competitive juniors.
Plays: Left-handed | Backhand: Double-handed
🎾 Renata Silveira — Junior Coordinator & Tennis Professional
Renata grew up in Brazil, where she became a qualified PE teacher and tennis coach. She first learned to coach at the academy run by the parents of Brazilian WTA professional Beatriz Haddad Maia in Rio de Janeiro and as a qualified school teacher, knows how to get the best out of young kids.
Her energy, empathy, and structured approach make her a favourite with both kids and adults. Renata leads our Hot Shots as well as working with beginner adults, and as Junior Coordinator, she helps organise junior pennant competition and track player development. Renata is also qualified in strength and conditioning.
Plays: Right-handed | Backhand: Double-handed
🎾 Kiro Barra — Tennis Professional
Born in Australia and raised in Germany, Kiro learned the game on the European clay courts, developing a strong foundation in movement, consistency, and match strategy. He competed in junior national events and ITF tournaments before transitioning into coaching.
Kiro is also a Sports Science graduate, and is passionate about helping players grow not just in their tennis technique, but in their footwork, conditioning, and athletic development.
Plays: Left-handed | Backhand: One-handed
🎾 Melvyn Scholtz — Tennis Professional
Melvyn is a long-standing member of the coaching team, known for his warmth and creativity. He specialises in Hot Shots lessons and is excellent at helping younger players feel welcome, focused, and engaged.
He also coaches private lessons and brings a fun, artistic energy to the court.
Plays: Right-handed | Backhand: One-handed
🎾 Troy Skopelitis — Tennis Professional
Troy grew up in South Africa and Brisbane before settling in Perth, where he played Division 1 and State League junior tennis and competed in state tournaments.
He brings high energy, strong communication, and enthusiasm to both Hot Shots and Junior Club Squad sessions. Troy balances his university commitments where he is studying teaching with his passion for tennis coaching with us.
Plays: Right-handed | Backhand: Double-handed
🎾 Tim Lau — Tennis Professional
Tim came through the academy himself, winning junior pennant titles, club championships, and captaining Hale’s First Team. He now coaches Hot Shots, junior players, and some adult private clients. Currently Tim plays in the Scarborough Men’s A grade team, who are currently competing at the Div 2 Open level.
While studying a double degree at UWA, he continues to coach a few days per week and remains a valued member of the team.
Plays: Right-handed | Backhand: Double-handed
🎾 Benjy Lau — Tennis Professional
Benjy, like his brother Tim, progressed through Scarborough Tennis and Hale School, earning First Team captain honours. He brings patience and quiet leadership to his coaching and is always open to learning new ways to help his students. Benjy played Division 1 Juniors and thrived on the team aspects of the sport of tennis.
Benjy works with Hot Shots and junior club players and is currently studying Philosophy at UWA.
Plays: Right-handed | Backhand: Double-handed
🎾 Christian Kelly — Tennis Professional
Christian started with us as a young mini player and rose up through the junior ranks to become a multiple premiership winner, multiple club championship winner and also won a scholarship to the US College tennis system where he played for a year. Christian is our current Mens club champion and represents Scarborough in our A grade team.
Christian is a quiet achiever but with a competitive drive that many under estimate. Christian role is to help assist Junior Club squads, run sparring sessions with our stronger juniors and assist with Hotshots coaching.
Plays: Right-handed | Backhand: Two-handed
🎾 scott arnold-eyers — Tennis Professional
Scott grew up in the strong tennis city of Adelaide playing state junior tournaments and reaching a men’s division 1 level in both Adelaide and Perth. Scott understands that focus and hard work is required to become better at tennis and is always a willing student to learn new ways to held develop players.
Scott is the editor and founder of Menu Magazine, a published magazine which is a guide to wining and dining in WA. Scott currently runs one of our Junior Club squads and helps out with Hotshots and private lessons.
Plays: Right-handed | Backhand: One-handed
🎾 Anthony Lau — Office Manager & Chief Racquet Technician
Anthony became part of the team after years of involvement as a tennis parent. With a background in engineering and business, he took on the Office Manager role in 2018.
He looks after enrolments, schedules, make-up lessons, invoicing, and general admin — and he’s also a certified racquet technician, handling all racquet stringing and equipment queries. Anthony also enjoys a social game of tennis and like all the members of his family, enjoy playing the great game.
Plays: Right-handed | Backhand: One-handed