Michael, Founder and Director, leads the development and coaching of young aspiring athletes through his dedicated athletic development business. With a strong focus on helping athletes optimise their movement and reach their full athletic potential, Michael brings a wealth of practical experience and a solid academic foundation to his coaching approach. Having worked with athletes across a wide range of sports, including AFL, netball, soccer, cricket, tennis, basketball, and athletics, Michael’s versatility allows him to tailor his coaching to meet the unique needs of each athlete. He is a graduate of Deakin University, where he earned his degree in Exercise and Sports Science, majoring in Sport Coaching and Applied Sport Science. Michael is also currently pursuing his Masters of Applied Sport Science at Deakin University, ensuring he stays at the forefront of the latest research and developments in the field to better support his athletes’ growth and performance. Through his expertise and commitment to continuous learning, Michael strives to provide athletes with the knowledge, skills, and guidance they need to succeed both on and off the field.

Peter Schwab, Head of Coaching, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our team. With 171 games played for the Hawthorn Hawks and his subsequent role as their senior head coach in the AFL, Peter has an exceptional understanding of the demands of high-performance sport and the critical role that outstanding coaching plays in an athlete’s development. Throughout his career, Peter has worked with athletes at various levels, including the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), the AFL Under-18 competition, VFL, and AFL. His extensive experience spans elite development programs, where he’s contributed to shaping the careers of many promising athletes. Additionally, Peter has worked extensively in mentoring and consulting coaches within the AFL, helping them refine their coaching methods and enhance their effectiveness. Peter’s strength lies in skill acquisition and game sense development for players. He possesses a keen eye for identifying areas for improvement and has a proven track record in helping athletes develop the technical skills and football IQ needed to excel on the field. His approach to coaching emphasises not only physical performance but also strategic thinking, decision-making, and adaptability, all crucial elements for players aspiring to make it to the top level. Peter has an intimate understanding of what it takes to succeed at the elite level, having coached and mentored athletes who have gone on to play in the AFL. His expertise in player development ensures that athletes receive the highest quality coaching, while his guidance fosters an environment where they can push their limits and reach their full potential. In addition to working directly with players, Peter will play a key role in up skilling our coaches. Through hands-on mentoring and coaching development, Peter will share his knowledge and insights, ensuring our coaching staff is equipped with the best practices to support athlete growth. Where possible, Peter will also work directly with our athletes, providing invaluable expertise to enhance their skills, game sense, and overall performance. His leadership and guidance will ensure that both our coaches and players are consistently striving for excellence.

Joe, Operations Manager and Coach, oversees the day-to-day operations of the business to ensure efficiency and seamless coordination across all areas. With a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Human Resource Management, Joe brings strong leadership and organisational skills that enhance both business performance and the overall athlete experience. Alongside his operations role, Joe is currently pursuing his Certificate III and IV in Fitness. This, combined with his deep understanding of athletic performance, allows him to provide a hands-on coaching approach that supports the development of athletes at all levels. An experienced football coach, Joe specialises in skill development. His extensive coaching background enables him to guide athletes in refining their technique, improving their skills, and ultimately reaching their full potential. Joe's dedication to both the operational and coaching sides of the business ensures that Pro Athletic delivers a comprehensive and impactful experience for all athletes.

Kaiden Marshall, Coach at Pro Athletic, brings a strong background in athlete development and high-performance training. Having trained under Michael Schwab for 6 years, Kaiden has gained firsthand experience in elite-level strength and conditioning, skill development, and movement optimisation. Kaiden has been exposed to Coates League football with the Oakleigh Chargers and has also competed at a representative level in basketball, giving him a well-rounded understanding of high-performance sport across multiple disciplines. His experience in these competitive environments has shaped his coaching approach, which focuses on athleticism, game awareness, and technical skill development. Currently pursuing his Certificate III & IV in Fitness, Kaiden is expanding his knowledge in strength and conditioning, injury prevention, and performance training. His growing expertise, combined with his experience as both an athlete and a coach, allows him to connect with athletes and help them develop in all areas.

Ryan Garthwaite, Specialist Football Coach, brings high-level playing experience and a genuine passion for developing young athletes. A former AFL player and qualified personal trainer, Ryan is highly skilled in breaking down technique and teaching the game in a clear, relatable way. His calm, approachable nature makes him a strong mentor both on and off the field. Due to his current football commitments, Ryan is based outside of Melbourne and returns to work with Pro Athletic when he can. During these visits, he connects closely with our coaching team to help upskill and support them, ensuring our program continues to grow and evolve. Ryan's influence is felt through the quality of his coaching and the way he empowers both players and coaches to keep improving. He’s a respected part of our team — passionate, knowledgeable, and always focused on bringing out the best in others.

Peter Nouk, Coach, brings a wealth of experience to Pro Athletic through his background in football, social work, and youth development. He plays a key role at our footy camps, supporting athletes with both technical development and off-field growth. With proven experience working with young people in high-performance settings, Peter has a unique ability to connect with athletes, mentor them, and promote a balanced approach to sport. His impact is felt not just in drills, but in how he helps athletes build confidence, character, and a genuine love for the game. Peter is a trusted figure in our coaching team — calm, insightful, and always focused on helping players become better both on and off the field.