Our Coaches — Muay Thai Coaches Melbourne | ACSA Thornbury Skip to content
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The people who coach you

Meet The
Coaches

Good coaching is the difference between training and just working out. Every class at ACSA is led by an experienced coach who actually watches you, corrects you, and helps you improve.

Start Here · Beginner Course See the timetable
01Why it matters

Real coaching that develops you

At ACSA every member is genuinely coached — taught the fundamentals in the right order, corrected on the detail, and progressed through a structured levels pathway so you keep improving year after year. That steady, guided development is what keeps people training for the long term.

02The team

Your coaching team

ACSA coach Phillip Lai
Owner & Head Coach

Phillip

Phill founded ACSA and leads the academy, with over 15 years coaching experience. He's a technical, detail-focused coach who prioritises correct technique, strong fundamentals and long-term development — and a Muay Thai Victoria Board member helping grow the sport across the state.

Owner & Head Coach15+ years coaching experienceMuay Thai Victoria Board MemberAIBA 1 Star Boxing CoachBJJ brown belt
Book with Phill →
ACSA coach Ting Lee
Coach

Ting

Ting brings elite-level experience, including three years coaching China's national Muay Thai team. A boxing and elbow-technique specialist with a fundamentals-first approach, he's coached across Thailand, Hong Kong and Dubai, and builds strong basics in every student.

Ex-China national team coachBoxing & elbow specialistInternational experience
Book with Ting →
ACSA coach Yusuf Sheikh
Coach

Yusuf

An active amateur competitor and Muay Thai Victoria's 2025 Male Amateur Fighter of the Year, Yusuf is known for clean, technical striking and a sharp kicking game. He leads ACSA's morning and lunchtime classes and tailors every session to the student in front of him.

2025 MTV Fighter of the YearTechnical strikingDaytime classes
Book with Yusuf →
ACSA coach Mel Castillo
Women's Program Coach

Mel

Mel is an active professional Muay Thai fighter with an undefeated record, and leads ACSA's Women's program in a supportive, empowering environment. Known for a smart, adaptable style and clean technique, she brings real fight experience and a detail-oriented approach to every session.

Pro fighter · undefeatedWomen's programTechnical & adaptable
Book with Mel →
photo of Mikaela Orlanda
Kids & Teens Coach

Mikaela

Mikaela co-runs ACSA's Kids and Teens classes alongside Coach Phill, bringing a patient, structured approach that keeps young students engaged while they build real technique. She holds a current Working With Children Check.

Kids & Teens coachCurrent WWCC
ACSA coach Kara Varker
Beginner Fundamentals Coach

Kara

Kara leads ACSA's Beginner Fundamentals classes, known for a patient, technical coaching style that helps new students build correct technique from day one.

Beginner FundamentalsPatient & technical
ACSA boxing coach Joe Triscari
Boxing Coach

Joe Triscari

photo of Braden Tasm
Coach

Braden Tasm

photo of Gunn
Coach

Gunn

03Common questions

About our coaches

Every coach at ACSA has real competitive or professional experience — from owner Phillip Lai's 15+ years coaching and Muay Thai Victoria Board role, to Ting Lee's three years coaching China's national Muay Thai team, to active fighters Yusuf Sheikh and Mel Castillo.
Yes. Mel Castillo, an undefeated professional Muay Thai fighter, leads ACSA's Women's program in a supportive, empowering environment.
Yes. Several coaches are active or former competitors, including Yusuf Sheikh (2025 Muay Thai Victoria Male Amateur Fighter of the Year) and Mel Castillo (undefeated professional record).
Yes. Every coach at ACSA is beginner-friendly and understands that everyone learns at a different pace. Their years of coaching experience go into focusing you on the fundamentals that matter most, so you learn to do things properly from day one.
Yes. Each coach's booking page shows their live availability — just click through to see openings and book directly.
Coaches teach across different classes depending on what they specialise in. Every coach is experienced and qualified, whichever age group they're leading.
A mixture of both. Some coaches are still competing, others have retired from competition — all bring that real fight experience back into how they teach. We don't expect you to compete; the goal is building strong foundations properly, so you keep improving years down the track.
Train with us

Start with the 2-Week Beginner Course

No experience needed. Learn the fundamentals from the team, properly — Monday and Thursday evenings, gloves included.

Start Here · Beginner Course
2-Week Beginner Course
Beginners welcome
Start Here