Our Team
When it comes to experience, knowledge and a strong developmental philosophy, MITS coaches have proven for over 25 years that they can grow, nurture and produce high performance results in all athletes and set them on the right pathway to success.
Our coaching staff combined have had an involvement with 15 Top 100 Players on both the WTA and ATP Tours as well as over 15 Top 100 ITF juniors and had involvements with Davis cup, Federation Cup & Hopman Cup’s and has also coached at all of the Grand Slams in the last 25 years.
We pride ourselves on our ability to provide a fun, disciplined & hard working environment that caters and cares for all players and their families. All MITS coaches have been trained in the MITS coaching systems which ensures the MITS philosophy is consistent within all our products. We provide low player to coach ratios at all times and design each program on individual needs to get the best results.
George Vogiaztis Assistant Coach
George has had 13 years of coaching experience having worked at an exclusive selection of clubs throughout Melbourne and has worked with a range of players from beginner to elite. He has spent the last 8 years working under Level 3 coaching mentors and is one of twelve coaches around Australia to be recognized at Tennis Australia's Next Generation High Performance Coaches in 2019. George has developed a range of internationally and nationally ranked juniors as well as college level tennis players. His passion, knowledge and coaching philosophy ensures that players grow both in terms of their tennis abilities but also in developing life skills.
View George's profileVanessa Saragoza Williamstown Tennis Club Head Coach
After being under the watchful eye of her coach Michael Baroch, Vanessa had a very successful Junior career. Being in the top 10 in Victoria and a member of the Victorian State Squad Vanessa was able to play State Pennant for 5 years with being in the same team as Nicole Bradtke ( Provis ). She also played Pennant for the Victorian Institute of Sport on a number of occasions. Vanessa also travelled with a Michael Baroch to the USA in 1995 as being the number 1 female player in the team. She won the Sonoma County Junior Tournament and beat a number of college scholarship holders from a number of different colleges such as Stanford University. She also played…
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Michael Baroch High Performance Coach (Level 3 Tennis Coaches Australia)
The founder of the Melbourne International Tennis School and director of coaching, Michael began his tennis journey under the tuition of one of the world's greatest coaches of all time, Tony Roche. Michael spent many years being coaching by Tony and then becoming Tony's understudy as he learnt all his coaching philosophies and life skills from his mentor. A very handy ATP player himself, Michael began his coaching journey as a hitting partner for several of the world's best tennis players including Ivan Lendl, Stefan Edberg, Boris Becker to name a few. Michael gained valuable experience on the road as a player and hitting partner and then landed his first big coaching gig with former top 10 player Mark Philippoussis…
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Marc Sophoulis High Performance Coach (Level 3 Tennis Coaches Australia)
After injury cut short a playing career in 2001, Marc turned his hand to becoming a career coach. Under the guidance of his mentor Michael Baroch, Marc spent 6 years studying the game and achieving the highest level of qualification as a tennis coach in Australia (Level 3 High Performance). Starting out as a hitting partner to several top 100 ATP and WTA players, Marc went on to coach and tour with several players and still currently works with Australian players Dane Propoggia, Anastasia Rodionova and Arina Rodionova. Marc has coached all over the world, worked with some of the world's best players, and is now connected with some of the world's best coaches. All of this experience has given…
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Dean Bleazby Club Professional Coach (Level 2 Tennis Coaches Australia)
Dean joined with his mentor and former coach Michael Baroch over 25 years ago, firstly as a junior player with big goals and ambitions, to then a career coach and right hand man to his mentor. Working for many years with some of the world's best juniors and travelling the world coaching on the ITF junior tour with his charges, Dean turned his hand to coaching some ATP and WTA players and took his coaching to new levels. Working with the best junior and senior players held Dean in good stead in his role as junior development coach at MITS where he has produced many top junior players and Super 10 players. Dean is currently the head assistant coach in…
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Mikallie Baroch Tennis Australia Development Coach (Level 1 Tennis Coaches Australia)
The daughter of director Michael Baroch, Mikallie has grown up with a tennis racquet in her hand. A very handy junior player, Mikallie was hitting with top WTA players from the age of 14 including Monique Adamczak and Maria Sharapova. Mikallie combines her coaching career with studying Business Marketing at RMIT as well as managing the business and development side of MITS. Mikallie's experience grew in 2014 as she was the media player liaison for the Vietnamese Davis cup team and travelled to assist her dad on tour. Highlights: Player Liaison for Vietnamese Davis Cup Team Player Liaison Manager/Assistant Tournament Organiser for ATP Challenger Vietnam Worked with MITS Singapore Captain of 1st Tennis Team (Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School) AGSV…
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Stephen Theodorou Tennis Australia Development Coach (Level 1 Tennis Coaches Australia)
Growing up under the MITS philosophy since the age of 3, Stephen has developed his game through his journey with his coach and mentor Michael Baroch and through his scholarship at the Maribyrnong Sports Academy. Stephen spent his whole secondary education at Maribyrnong College and was a leader in several state team titles for the school. Having the experience in team scenarios held Stephen in good stead for his stint in Germany playing German club tennis and now working as part of the coaching team at MITS. Stephen has coached at our base in Singapore and now works in the team in Melbourne. Still currently playing competitive, Stephen has always been a role model with his work ethic and dedication…
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Ola Luczak Accredited practising dietitian for the Maribyrnong Sports Academy
Ola is an Accredited Practising Dietitian who graduated from the Master of Dietetics at Deakin University. In addition, she holds a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) from the University of Central Florida, USA, where she was awarded a full sporting scholarship for the duration of her studies. Ola has always been drawn to working with motivated people who want to make positive changes to improve their health and sporting performance. Ola is an active member of Sports Dietitians Australia, delivers all nutritional services to the Maribyrnong and Gippsland Sports Academies and works in private practise at Lakeside Stadium and the Officer Medical Centre. She has worked with elite and junior athletes across a range of sports and clubs including Tennis Victoria,…
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Stephen Rendall Accredited Sports Psychologist practising at the Maribyrnong Sports Academy
Stephen is a registered psychologist who works with athletes and non-athletes on a range of issues and areas including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, conflict management, anger management, sport performance issues, goal setting, stress management, relationships, self confidence, post injury / rehabilitation issues and counselling. Stephen has enjoyed working with athletes from a range of sports such as: Australian Rules Football, golf, power lifting, middle distance running, diving, Paralympic athletes, cycling and tennis to name a few. Stephen incorporates a number of techniques when working with clients and organizations that include cognitive behavior therapy, mindfulness based cognitive therapy, and a psychodynamic psychotherapy approach. Stephen is passionate about working with individuals to assist in overcoming personal barriers to achieving their goals and…
View Stephen's profileAmir Takla Accredited Sports and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
Mr. Takla was born in Alexandria and educated in Melbourne where he completed his physiotherapy training at The University of Melbourne in 1997. After completing 12 months of clinical practice, successful entry was gained into the University of Melbourne Masters of Physiotherapy (Manipulative Therapy) program. The clinical masters program focused on advanced clinical reasoning, problem based learning and manipulative techniques. In 2007, he gained successful recognition as a sports physiotherapist by the Australian Physiotherapy Association. Regularly invited speaker to local and international meetings on the physiotherapy following hip arthroscopy and management of hip disorders. Physiotherapy posts Head Physiotherapists for the Victorian Men’s Gymnastics program – 1997 – 2007, World Championships team 2003 & 2005, Australian Open – Tennis Sports Physiotherapist 2003 to 2015.…
View Amir's profileMaribyrnong Sports Academy
Address: Maribyrnong College, River Street Maribyrnong
- World Class Facilities at our doorstep.
- 6 Hard Courts with lights
- Indoor and Outdoor Running Tracks
- State of the art Gym, including free weights, machines and cardio room
- Indoor Stadium including Basketball, Badminton, Volleyball, Offices
- Lecture rooms, classrooms, Offices, Boardroom
Maidstone Tennis Club
Address: Cnr Mephan Street & Rosamond Road
- Maidstone Tennis Club provides tennis to all ages, abilities and gender.
- The club has 4 functionally working hard courts in which all members have access to and are all flood lit.
- Coaching is available for all members and non-members weekdays and weekends and competition is played on weekends as well.
- Maidstone Tennis Club is associated with the Western Region Tennis Association and Tennis Victoria.
Williamstown Tennis Club
Address: Esplanade & Morris St, Williamstown VIC 3016
- The Williamstown Tennis Club in situated in the heart of Williamstown and next door to the Wiliamstown Football Club.
- The Club has 3 synthetic grass courts and has a great view of the Williamstown Beach Front.
- We participate in the Western Region Tennis Competition (WRTA) in both Junior & Senior Competitions.
- We are associated with Tennis Victoria & Tennis Australia.