Menu
SMAC Gym proudly serving the Mornington Peninsula since 1996
SMAC Gym has Classes on the Mornington Peninsula, Perfect for Kids, Teens, and Adults Martial Arts Lessons.
Who we Are And why You Should Train Here
Since we’ve opened, we’ve been dedicated to changing the lives of people one person at a time, through martial arts, education and coaching. We strive to provide a safe, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for all students and family members. We take pride in creating an environment for individuals to achieve, develop and succeed in their personal goals.
We strongly believe that martial arts can be for everyone, regardless of age, gender or experience levels. Throughout all of our programs, students will not only learn the necessary skill sets to protect themselves, we stand behind our realistic and practical approach, confident it will enable every member to achieve greatness and live their best life..
Get To Know Our World Class Instructors
Matthew Ball
Matt is the head coach at SMAC Gym.
He instructs Zen Do Kai, Muay Thai, Krav Maga, Boxing and Systema. Matt has more than 3 decades experience as a coach, taking fighters from local comp to world titles including Professional Title wins in the USA at Maddison Square Gardens and Foxwood casino for Muay Thai, a WBO world title bout in France for boxing and WKA Open World Championships for K1 and Muay Thai in Spain and Italy.
Matt is well known as a striking coach and the ability to break down the body mechanics of skills.
He is a sought-after seminar coach, teaching throughout Australia, New Zealand, in the USA, Thailand and Serbia. He is constantly looking to improve his own skills traveling far and wide to spend time with the best.
Ben Hicks
Ben started training at SMAC as a junior. He grew up around the gym and became an assistant instructor when he was in his early teens. He continued this role through Secondary School and University. After completing his Psychology Degree Ben joined the SMAC team as a full-time trainer.
Ben is our program director and has the very important job of starting our new members on their Martial Arts journey.
Ben is a 3rd Degree Black Belt; he has competed in tournaments and ring fighting.
Ben is well known for his coaching ability and helping people find the passion for training.
Simone Mitchell
Simone is one of our original members. She has been part of our instructor team since 2000. A highly accomplished martial artist and myotherapist, Simone knows how help members get past their limitations.
Simone has a deep knowledge and teaches almost all our programs. She has a strong desire to learn and improve and takes every opportunity to train with the world’s best.
Simone is one of the highest ranked, active, female martial artists in Australia.
She holds teaching certification in Zen Do Kai, Muay Thai, Krav Maga and Sytema H.L.
Chris Milward
Chris Milward, SMAC Gym Boxing Coach. Chris started boxing with us in the early 2000’s he went on to compete in Boxing, Kickboxing and MMA.
Chris is always looking for an edge to help improve his coaching and our members skills. Chris is a registered amateur boxing coach with the VBA, part of the Commonwealth and Olympic boxing system. Not only has he competed in the ring he has also cornered many of SMAC’s fight team.
Wayne Holley
Wayne Holley brings a world of knowledge to our club. Wayne started his combat training 60 years ago with boxing, in his teens he started Tae Kwon Do becoming very accomplished on the tournament circuit. Wayne ran the Hastings Tae Kwon Do club for 3 decades and since he has trained and received instructor certification in Krav Maga, Systema H.L., Sikaran, Eskrima and Bob Jones Martial Arts
Wayne works with most systems taught at SMAC but his primary coaching roles are in Krav Maga, Zen Do Kai and Systema.
6o years’ experience is very rare in Australian Martial Arts, Wayne is very active and it’s an honour to have him on our coaching team.
Dylan Walker
Dylan Walker is our lead Muay Thai Coach. Dylan started training as a young teen and quickly got involved in competition. He has competed at interclub, amateur and professional levels.
In 2016 he competed in the WKA World Championships in Italy earning a silver medal.
Training in numerous combat styles Dylan has found his main focus and passion lies with Muay Thai. He has trained and competed many times in Thailand. At 19 he spent 6 weeks as the only westerner, living and training at two camps outside of Pattaya.
Dylan started his coaching career upon completing year 12, he has developed his coaching continuously including completing a Kovar Trainers course in the USA. He is a licenced Professional Combat Sports Trainer with the Victorian Government. Dylan’s ring experience directly relates to his training of our members.
Connor McLaughlin
Connor McLaughlin has achieved a lot.
He loves anything martial arts and combat sports.
He has a great passion for coaching and has been part of our coaching team since being a teenager assistant trainer, through to becoming one of our main team.
in 2020 Connor completed an international coaching course with Kovars. He has trained in Thailand and has competed in tournaments and ring sports.
Connor is one of our two main children and teenagers’ coaches but is equally as comfortable coaching adults.
Joshua Pereira
Josh is one of our two Boxing Coaches at SMAC Gym.
Josh has the perfect temperament for coaching. Open, quick to adapt and encouraging, he gets the best out of people.
He works equally as well with beginners, competitors or those who just love to train.
An intelligent trainer, Josh is always researching and working on way to develop skills, create drills and improve our members.
His ring experience has been instrumental in guiding him to coach and corner many of our fight team. He is a licenced trainer with the VBA, part of the Commonwealth and Olympic boxing system.
(Head Instructor Info Goes Here) Fusce vulputate eleifend sapien. Pellentesque ut neque. Aenean tellus metus, bibendum sed, posuere ac, mattis non, nunc. Aliquam lorem ante, dapibus in, viverra quis, feugiat a, tellus. Fusce vulputate eleifend sapien. Nunc nec neque. Maecenas egestas arcu quis ligula mattis placerat. Praesent ut ligula non mi varius sagittis. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Donec venenatis vulputate lorem. Aenean ut eros et nisl sagittis vestibulum. Praesent nonummy mi in odio. In turpis. Aenean massa. Cras id dui. Suspendisse faucibus, nunc et pellentesque egestas, lacus ante convallis tellus, vitae iaculis lacus elit id tortor.