Matty Scott
Founder & Director
“At Future Athletics, “We build performance from the ground up — technically, physically, and mentally.”
Matty Scott is a high-performance sprint coach with a proven background in elite athlete development. As an athlete, he was ranked Australia’s #1 Junior Sprinter, won seven national titles, and achieved a top-10 world ranking as a junior—competing at the highest level and understanding what it takes to perform under pressure.
Matty set multiple benchmark performances, including breaking the Queensland State Championships U16 200m record with a time of 21.61 in 2011—a record that had stood for 16 years—and winning the State 200m every year from U13 to U17. He also broke the GPS U14 200m record (22.69), a mark that remained untouched for 13 years.
With over a decade of coaching experience, Matty applies evidence-based training, biomechanical analysis, and performance-driven programming to develop speed that transfers directly to competition. He has worked with elite rugby programs and individual high-performance athletes, and currently serves as Athletics Director at Brisbane Grammar School. His coaching philosophy is built on precision, accountability, and long-term athlete development—producing athletes who don’t just train fast, but perform when it matters most.
Rajeev Balakrishnan
Director Sprints & Hurdles
Rajeev brings in extensive experience in the area of speed and agility training and has coached in Australia, USA and Asia.
Having worked with professional Tennis players as well as high performance Rugby, American Football, Netball and Soccer teams he brings in unique knowledge of speed and agility training specifically designed to get you faster in your respective sport.
As an Olympian and exceptional sprinter himself, he has competed professionally all over the world and has worked with some of the best sprinting coaches in the world, giving him a unique coaching perspective.
Michael Hillardt
Head Middle Distance Coach
Michael was a professional athlete representing Australia at the 1984 Olympic Games for the 1500m. Due to injury which finally ended his career, he had to withdraw from the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. Michael also won the 1985 World Indoor Championships over 1500m. Other Championships Michael competed in was the World Cup (1981 - 1985), World Championships (1983 - 1987), Commonwealth Games (1982 - 1986) and the World Indoor Championships (1987). He also won eight Australian 1500m and two 800m titles as well as holding Australian Junior and Senior records over 800m, 1000m, 1500m and mile. His personal best times included 800m 145.72, 1000m 2.17.49 1500m 3.33.39 and mile 3.51.82. Over a six-year period Michael was constantly ranked top 12 in the world and in 1985 Michael had a best world ranking of 7th.
Since the early 1990’s, Michael has been coaching middle distance athletes and is a level 4 coach with Athletics Australia. Michael has coached school and senior athletes to State & National level and coached Youcef Abdi to a 1500m bronze medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Michael has worked as head coach at various schools since 2002 for cross country and middle distance. Michael has the skills to help male and female athletes of all ages achieve their goals to the level they are aiming for.
Ebony Lane
Director Speed & Agility Training
Head Coach Junior Sprints
Ebony, 26, is a 100m sprinter with PBs of 11.30 and 11.23* (wind-assisted). A consistent five-time national 100m finalist, she was part of Australia’s record-breaking 4x100m relay team and has competed at Diamond Leagues, World Championships, and World Relays, as well as being selected for the Paris Olympic Games.
She co-owns Empower Performance, helping people build physical and mental strength through training, nutrition, and mindset coaching.
Ebony also has many years of experience coaching track and field, working with athletes of all levels to refine their technique and performance.
Sav Wilshire
Speed & Agility Head Coach
Sav has a unique athlete journey, competing in various sporting disciplines, and is passionate in sharing her love for fitness and sport with younger athletes. Sav was a high-levelled gymnast who utilised sprint training in her program until transferring into the Australian aerial skiing program from the age of 18. Since training under the QAS, she became obsessed with the strength and conditioning part of training and continues to grow in this space. Studying Sport Management, certificates III and IV in Fitness, little athletics training, followed by years of gymnastics training and coaching, touch football experience and coaching, sprint training, ski training and a new love for AFL, Sav delivers engaging trainings with plenty of variety and experience under her belt. Sav ensures our Speed and Agility sessions are fun yet challenging and technique focused for all athletes whilst in a safe and supported environment.
Jarrad Boswell
Head Strength & Conditioning Coach
Jarrad has completed Masters level studies in Exercise Science (specializing in Strength and Conditioning), a Bachelor of Exercise Science, a Level 2 (Pro) Strength & Conditioning Accreditation, and is a member of the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA). Currently working as the Director of Athletic Development at Anglican Church Grammar school where he oversees and implements all high performance programs. In addition to this, Jarrad has worked within state and national sporting teams including the Womens Rugby 7s program. He has also been a part of the Strength & conditioning staff for the Australian School boys and Mens A Rugby 7s international squads. Jarrad is looking forward to providing the latest training methods to the great program at Future Athletics to help develop an already fantastic program.
Emily O’Neill
Emily is a versatile coach with a passion for nurturing athletes across various disciplines. She has completed a Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology and this has provided her with a unique blend of experiences that have shaped her coaching philosophy.
Her journey in sports spans both competition and coaching. Emily has been coaching disciplines such as; Athletics, Cross Country and Touch Football, working with individuals of diverse ages and abilities. Emily's personal involvement in sports includes touch, athletics, cross country, hockey, rowing, netball and both water and snow skiing. As a well-rounded sports person she has experienced the dedication and passion required for high-level competition.
Her goal is to make training sessions enjoyable yet challenging, fostering a love for sport while pushing individuals to surpass their own expectations. She aims to instill a love for physical activity, creating a positive and motivating environment for every athlete under her guidance, while inspiring a new generation of athletes.
Rory Easton
Rory brings a diverse sporting background, having excelled in both team and individual sports. During his school years, he played rugby, cricket, and football before focusing on athletics, where he quickly rose to a national level. Specialising in the 100m, 200m, and 110m hurdles, Rory has experienced the demands of high-performance sport first-hand. His personal best of 10.40 seconds in the 100m ranks him among the top 20 fastest sprinters in Australia.
Rory continues to pursue his sprinting career while sharing his expertise and passion for performance with others. His approach to coaching blends technical expertise with real-world athletic insight, ensuring athletes of all levels receive guidance that’s both effective and inspiring.
Jamaika Forsyth
Jamaika is a multi-sport athlete, youth worker, and dedicated fitness professional whose career spans track and field, basketball, bodybuilding, and endurance sports. Starting out in athletics, she later went on to win over 12 bikini bodybuilding championships, earning 4th place in the world at the WBFF, and has coached others to success on the competition stage. Always chasing new challenges, she has competed in marathons, HYROX, and a range of other sporting events. Now, as a fitness instructor, personal trainer, and experienced youth worker, she combines her diverse athletic background with her ability to mentor and guide young people, inspiring both adults and school-aged athletes to push past their limits and achieve their personal best.
Patrisia Arvanitagis
Pat is a dynamic coach with a passion for nurturing athletes across various disciplines. She has completed a Bachelor of Exercise of Sports Science and she brings together academic knowledge and hands-on experience to shape her unique coaching approach.
Her journey in sports spans both competition and coaching. Pat’s personal involvement in sports includes volleyball, soccer, hockey and netball. Having lived the dedication and drive required to excel, Pat understands the commitment behind athletic success.
She strives to make every training session both engaging and challenging – encouraging athletes to enjoy the process which pushing beyond their own limits. Pat’s aim is to nurture a lifelong love of physical activity, build a supportive and motivating environment, and inspire the next generation of athletes to reach their full potential.
Justin Cavanagh
Justin has been training and competing since the age of 11, reaching national finals and medalling as a junior before achieving top-10 finishes at the Australian Open Nationals in the 200m and winning the 2019 University Nationals over the same distance.
An Athletics Australia Level 3 Performance Coach in Sprints & Relays, Justin has been coaching since he was 17, working with athletes privately and in his role as a school sprint coach. He believes that building strength and conditioning is just as crucial as refining technique when it comes to maximising sprint performance. He brings a wealth of experience and a results-driven yet approachable style to every session, helping athletes unlock their potential through technical precision and genuine enthusiasm.Rory continues to pursue his sprinting career while sharing his expertise and passion for performance with others. His approach to coaching blends technical expertise with real-world athletic insight, ensuring athletes of all levels receive guidance that’s both effective and inspiring.
Ginger Cox
Ginger graduated from st Margaret’s in 2024. She is originally from Townsville and started coaching for future athletics in 2024. She has competed in track and cross country at a national level and currently still training alongside studying at the Queensland University of technology studying law and business. With my experience as a junior coming through, I would love to pass on my knowledge to the younger generation on how to find their best in the funnest way possible.
Danika Messina
With a background as a national level junior middle-distance runner and hurdler, I bring firsthand experience and passion to coaching young athletes. I’m a Level 2 Development Coach and have worked across various Little Athletics clubs throughout Sydney, supporting junior athletes in building strong foundations in both technique and mindset.
Alongside my coaching, I hold a Bachelor of Nursing, a Master of Nursing (Leadership & Management), and a Master of Mental Health Nursing. I’m currently undertaking Post Doctoral Research in mental health, deepening my expertise in psychological wellbeing and resilience.
As both a clinician and a mother of children involved in sport, I understand the unique challenges and opportunities young athletes face. My holistic approach to coaching supports not only physical performance but also emotional health and personal growth. I strive to be a positive role model, helping children build confidence, discipline, and a strong sense of self, on and off the track.
Piper Lawson
Piper has always been interested in a range of sports. With a history of both competing and coaching in athletics, netball, volleyball, and touch football across her schooling career.
She has competed at a state level in distance running events including the 3000m steeple chase, 1500m, 800m, and cross country, as well as a national level in the 3000m steeple chase. Seeing the world of sport from both an athlete and a coach’s perspective has given her a comprehensive understanding and unique set of skills on how to inspire others to be the best they can be.
Currently completing a degree in Clinical exercise physiology at UQ, Piper has a keen interest in creating a love for sport and physical activity, and hopes to foster sessions that balance enjoyment while also pushing athletes towards their goals.
Freyja Burrell
Freyja is a well rounded athletics coach with six years of coaching under her belt, working with athletes across a range of abilities. Currently studying a Bachelor of High Performance Sport, she combines academic knowledge with practical expertise to deliver evidence-based training. Having been a middle-distance runner herself for the past six years, Freyja brings a deep understanding of the sport from an athlete’s perspective. Her favourite part of each session is the warm-up — especially technical drills and plyometric exercises — as she knows these lay the groundwork for efficient, powerful performance. With a particular interest in youth athlete development, Freyja focuses on strategies that support the long-term growth of her athletes. Her coaching philosophy centres on building a strong foundation that enables athletes to perform at their best for years to come. Many of her athletes have progressed to state and national competitions, while many more have achieved personal bests, improved performance, and developed a greater love for the sport.
Ava Myers
Ava has coached a variety of age groups across several schools, bringing energy, knowledge, and a genuine passion for sport to every environment she works in.
She has previously competed in a range of sports including athletics, touch football, cross country, and hockey, and proudly represented Queensland in both high jump and hockey, over the years.
Now focused on the heptathlon, she continues to challenge herself as an athlete while inspiring others through her coaching. Her experience across multiple sports and age groups gives her a well-rounded perspective on athletic development and the importance of fostering a lifelong love of sport.
Gemma Hooper
Gemma brings a dynamic sporting background, excelling in both team and individual sports across school and club environments, including hockey, touch, cross country, and track and field. With state and national-level experience in cross country and state-level success in track, she knows what it takes to perform at a high level.
Driven by a passion for helping athletes reach their best, Gemma combines insight with motivation and encouragement, pushing athletes to challenge themselves, improve their skills, and love the journey of sport.
Eliot Wilkins
As an athlete Eliot spent the majority of his junior career ranked among the fastest hurdlers in Australia.
He has been the number one 100m Hurdler & 110m Hurdler in Australia, the 110m Hurdles Australian Champion, invited to train with the Australian Under 17 Development Squad, and the 2013/14 Under 18 110m Hurdles Oceania Champion.
He is currently completing his thesis in Sports Psychology at the University of Queensland, with most of his research specifically involving school sport and youth performance.
He brings unique knowledge and understanding of how to build confident competitive youth athletes, as well as a wealth of experience coaching and competing.
Affiliated Partners
Chris Dillon
APA Titled Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist
Chris graduated UQ’s Physiotherapy program in 2002 and has worked in Private Practice in Brisbane since 2004 after some time overseas. Chris attained his post graduate sports degree in 2006, and is an accredited APA Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist. More recently Chris has attained ASCA level 1 certification and is undergoing further training in advanced concussion management.
Chris spent several years as head Physio for Easts Rugby Union and worked concurrently in roles with Australian Rugby Union and the Reds Academy and u21 programs. In this environment, Chris was exposed to a significant number of traumatic upper and lower limb injuries and enjoys the challenges of knee and shoulder reconstruction rehabilitation.
Now working with Churchie’s Football Program, Chris has amassed over 20 years of experience dealing with junior and aspiring professional athletes in development programs. This has ultimately fostered a strong desire to assist youth athletes in reaching their physical potential, without injury complication.
https://brisbanesportsphysio.com.au/
Victoria Spiliopoulos
Victoria is the founder and principal teacher at Vicalates, a boutique, modern classical Pilates studio in Tenerife. Victoria was first trained and taught in Melbourne, before pursuing further qualifications and experience through Balanced Body in the US. Since its opening in 2020, Vicalates has become incredibly well respected in the international Pilates community for its exceptionally high standard of teaching, client care and commitment to the ever-evolving Pilates industry. The Vicalates studio team have also been training Future Athletics director, Matty, for many years now. And he can attest to both the enjoyment and rigour of the Vicalates method. Plus how they always manage to nail his hamstrings!
Victoria and her team love working with athletes across the entirety of the Pilates apparatus to harness their competitive advantage through Pilates exercises. Already working with younger athletes, Victoria is incredibly passionate about educating clients about their body and using this to advance their athleticism and prevent injuries through innovative, challenging and adaptive Pilates sessions. Victoria is also the founder and facilitator of Alignment Academy, an international Pilates professional development and teacher training platform.
Contact Vicalates at hello@vicalates.com for bookings and enquiries.
Kieran Cusack
Sports and Remedial Massage Therapist
With 24 years’ experience in working with local, state, national and international level athletes, I have travelled to state and international training and pre-departure camps in Brisbane, Canberra and, Townsville having attended many Track and Field Nationals in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Tasmania, and Brisbane. I have also travelled internationally with teams to Switzerland, Germany, USA, Korea, France, Greece and Italy. My most recent competitions are the Brisbane Commonwealth Games and Invictus Games in Sydney, having also travelled with the Australian Team to the World University Games in Korea.
Special Interest
My special interest is in posture and its effects on the fascial chains changing the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system. This is achieved by correcting alignment through selected stretching routines and specific soft tissue release. Posture and normal movement patterns allow an athlete to progress in their training program and technical performance.
