*Details subject to change
Toptenn Tennis Academy Philosophy
Our philosophy is to teach a love of the game. We strive to be the fun and friendly family tennis school. We develop and present programs to to help every student optimise their ability and attain a skill level to enjoy tennis as a lifetime pursuit.
Our motto is: 'Putting the FUN back into FUNdamentals'
The Toptenn Tennis Academy is a full-time professional Tennis Academy employing carefully chosen staff who meet very specific criteria. Our Senior Coaches are required to be Tennis Australia "Advanced" or "Club Professional" accreditation coaches and all assistants must complete their Tennis Australia "Junior Development" coach qualifications. Teaching tennis at Toptenn is not a hobby...it is a lifelong passion and commitment to provide quality coaching and unlimited opportunities to our students. Please study our website carefully to discover all of the services, extras, and added value we offer. Click here to see our coach bios.
Toptenn Junior Coaching Programs
Please use the images to navigate through Toptenn's Coaching Programs
Aussie Mozzie Tennis
Please click on the image to view Toptenn's Aussie Mozzie Program.
Junior Coaching Program
Click on the image to view Toptenn's Junior Coaching Programs and Pathways.
Advanced Coaching Program
Click on the image to view Toptenn's Advanced Coaching Programs and Pathways
Team Toptenn Squads
Click on the image to view Team Toptenn Squad Training
Private Coaching
Click on the image to view Toptenns Private and Semi-Private Coaching
Mini Grand Slam Holiday Clinics Please click the image for Toptenn's Mini Grand Slam Holiday Clinics & Tournaments
Toptenn Coach Bios
Click on the image too see bios for Toptenn's Professional Coaching Team
Toptenn Trophies, Incentives & Rewards Program
Click on the button to view Toptenn's Incentive & Rewards Program
Toptenn Teaching Equipment
Click on the image for Toptenn's state of the art teaching equipment.
Junior Coaching Programmes
- Toptenn Pathways
- 1. Aussie Mozzie Tennis (4-7yrs)
- 2. Hot Shots Tennis Lessons
- 3. Team Toptenn Acceleration Squads
- 4. Hot Shots Social Round Robin
- 5. Prestige + Advanced Coaching
- 6. Private Individual Coaching
- Learning Equipment and Teaching Aids
Toptenn Pathways / Talent Optimisation
Many parents ask what is the next level of my child's development. Our pathways document, available below, explains the progressions and opportunities available at Toptenn. We understand that everyone's involvement in tennis is different. That's why we aim to offer a extensive range of opportunities and activities to cater for the needs and wants of all students.
Click here to download the document.
Click here or the picture below to download the Aussie Mozzie Enrolment Form with times and venues.
Click here to visit the Toptenn Aussie Mozzie Webpage!
What is "Aussie Mozzie" Head Start Tennis?
Aussie Mozzie is Australia’s latest modified Tennis programme for kids aged 4 to 7 years. It is exciting, challenging, success orientated, and above all – FUN!
Aussie Mozzie is a skill acquisition programme to develop physical skills such as hand-eye coordination, balance, movement, and spatial awareness. It promotes and fosters camaraderie and develops social and interpersonal skills.
Mozzie follows many aspects of the Milo Ace Program which has been developed by Tennis Australia in conjunction with the Australian Sports Commission and will guarentee all participants a wonderful "Head Start" in Tennis.
2. HOT SHOTS - Junior Tennis Program
Hot Shots Junior Tennis Programs are weekly 45 minute 'coach-driven' sessions.
There are 4 levels of Hot Shots Junior Tennis (see below). Students are matched to the most appropriate Hot Shots Level according to a combination of age, ability, experience and ITN (International Tennis Number).
Toptenn Tennis Academy has designed a comprehensive and progressive program for each Hot Shots Junior Tennis level. This is based on TA’s player development matrix which is both challenging and fun.
The 4 Levels of Hotshots Junior Tennis are:
- Hot Shots Radical - 7-9 years / Development Stage / Hot Shots Orange Ball Competition. Students with 0 to 2 years experience. Students learning and applying the skills and the introduction of basic tactical concepts. Toptenn Champ and Super Champ Award holders.
- Hot Shots Extreme - 10-12 years / Encouragement Stage / Hot Shots Green Ball Competition. Students who are consolidating technical and tactical concepts and gaining competency in point-play. Introduction of advanced technique and tactics. Toptenn Mega and Ultra Champ Holders
- Hot Shots Prestige - 13+ years / Enhancement Stage. Players become more heavily involved and educated in competition and point-play.
- Hot Shots Prestige + - 15+ years / Cultivation Stage. Specially targeted program to capture the interest of teenagers and advanced groups. It is a balanced program incorporating advanced tactical and technical content.
Hot Shots lessons are the foundation to every student’s development. They teach the correct grips, footwork, swing shapes and patterns, biomechanics, etc. Depending on the level, progressive and relevant tactical elements will be introduced and explained.
If a student is serious about maximising their improvement, these sessions MUST remain an on-going component of their learning. There are always corrections to be made and new shots to be learned. Some of our coaches sat down together and we came up with approximately 8000 different shots and concepts that need to be learned before you can call yourself a complete player. World #1 Lleyton Hewitt still has a coach as he tries to improve his game! This process can be supplemented and accelerated through our squads and match-play programmes, and through our holiday clinics and tournaments.
Toptenn uses a hybrid approach to coaching. Combining the strong elements of the "Game Based Approach" to learning or learning through rallying with the most productive elements of the "Traditional Approach".
3 Team Toptenn - Acceleration Squads
Click here or the picture below to download the Team Toptenn Enrolment Form with times and venues.
Team Toptenn Acceleration Squads are broken into 4 categories. These overlap with the Hot Shots Junior Coaching categories:
* Hot Shots Radical
* Hot Shtos Extreme
* Hot Shots Prestige
* Hot Shtos Prestige +
Click here for more information about these categories.
TEAM Toptenn Acceleration Squads and Representative teams are invitation only squads which target young players from our Hot Shots coaching programs who demonstrate aptitude and clearly wish to progress to the next level.
The focus in these squads is to teach players “how to win” by consolidating their technical skills being developed in lessons and integrating these into tactical situations.
Squad is designed to provide quality structured practice, and to teach students activities and drills they can use when they practise with a parent, a friend, or their team. It is an opportunity to apply the technical skills explored in the technical sessions. We teach students how to think their way through a match and how to begin analysing and correcting their mistakes as they happen. In other words helping students to figure out reasons rather than excuses for their mistakes!
Students can be "over-coached" and are unable to think for themselves in a pressure or competitive situation. Skill is executing correct technique and making correct decisions under pressure. Often the measure of a champion is having the ability to manufacture a win when things are not going to plan.
The emphasis in squad is more on tactics. However tactics are pretty useless if their is no technical foundation to support them. In other words it is difficult to hit a short angle if you don't have the shot in your skills repertoire. This is why we strongly recommend students continue with their technical lessons.
Other squad bonuses are the maintenance of a computerised challenge system, fitness development and our end of semester parties and movie nights. A written report and video/computer analysis are provided at least once a year or when the coach thinks it appropriate.
When should I be doing squad ?
Many students choose to do their squad training directly after their lesson. The benefit of that is that the lesson theme and concepts are fresh in the student's mind. Other students prefer to do their lesson and squad on seperate days particularly if they find the double session too demanding.
Team Toptenn Invitational Squads are available for Radical, Extreme, Prestige and Prestige + players. They are designed for students in these categories who demonstrate aptitude and clearly wish to progress to the next level.
4. MLC Tennis Hot Shots Social Comp
MLC Tennis Hot Shots is Tennis Australia's official kids' starter program for children aged 5-12 years old.
Through the use of modified court sizes and low-compression balls, kids learn to serve, rally and score in a game that is appropriate to their developmental needs.
Building them up for bigger and better things
Children progress through the three developmental stages: Red, Orange and Green.
At each stage, ball compression and court size increases in line with players' development. This gradual progression improves players' skills and prepares them to play on a full-size court with a yellow ball.
At MLC Tennis Hot Shots, children will:
- play with modified equipment that is appropriate to their age, size and ability
- meet new friends, have fun and stay healthy
- develop new skills and coordination
- have the opportunity to play in challenge events where all players receive a participation gift
- be presented with a T-shirt when they enrol for one term of MLC Tennis Hot Shots
- graduate to playing on a full-size court through the “learning to play” pathway.
For just $10 per 2 hour session children participate in standardised matchplay under the guidance of a Tennis Australia Club Professional Coach. They will develop a love for the game and begin to understand and appreciate the tactical elements of tennis along with the social aspect of club tennis. It is an excellent stepping stone or preparation for club competition.
Toptenn Social Comp's are a Tennis Australia Hotshots endorsed and sponsored program. They adhere to Toptenn's Junior Hot Shots groups, using ITN number, age, standard and past experience to match and challenge participants.
5. Prestige + Advanced Coaching
Click here or the picture below to download the Prestige + Enrolment Form with times and venues.
Hot Shots Prestige + is a specially targeted program to capture the interest of teenagers 15 years and over and advanced groups in the Cultivation stage. It is a balanced program incorporating advanced tactical and technical content.
6. Private & Semi-Private Coaching
Click here or the picture below to download the Private Lesson Enrolment Form.
Toptenn encourages all students to experience 1 on 1 coaching at some stage during their learning. Although we are very confident that each student will improve steadily through our group coaching, private tuition presents an opportunity to:
- Address specific weaknesses
- Tailor a winning strategy
- Develop a weapon
- Accelerate progress
- Do an ITN rating
- Learn new shots and tactics
- Boost your confidence
Private or Semi-Private (Share the cost) lessons available by appointment!
Toptenn holds 4 Mini Grand Slam Holiday Clinics & Tournaments a year:
* Mini Aussie Open Jan 2010
* Mini French Open Apr 2010
* Mini Wimbledon Jun/Jul 2010
* Mini Us Open Sept/Oct 2010
Programs run over the full duration of the holidays at many of Toptenn's venues. For more information click and donwload the Enrolment form for the Jan 2010 Holiday Clinic.
Mini GRAND SLAM CLINICS
TOPTENN MINI GRAND SLAM HOLIDAY CLINICS are 3 hour intensive holiday clinics helping students to imrpove dramatically over a short period of time. They include high activity, trophies, certificates, Tennis Australia and USPTA coaching teams, video analysis, radar speed check, Boris the Ball Machine, the Sofast Fast Feet programme and much much more! Each clinic caters for all levels - Aussie Mozzie, Radicals, Extremes, Prestige and Prestige +.
All clinics contribute towards your CHAMP Card and CHAMP Points. Students receive a 1/4 point for each day of attendance or 1 point for attending the entire week.
Mini GRAND SLAM TOURNAMENTS
THE TOPTENN GRAND SLAM SERIES is an on-going tournament series for tennis players aged 7-14 years. It has become a significant part of our junior development programme and we encourage all of our students to participate.
HOW GOOD DO YOU HAVE TO BE?
The tournament is graded to accomodate all levels of play from "entry level" (less than two years of coaching) up to kids participating in "club-level" competition. Clinics and tournaments
also follow our Hotshots categories - Radical, Extreme, Prestige and Prestige +.
HOW CAN IT BENEFIT YOU?
The tournaments offer a wonderful, healthy environment and vehicle to develop match-skills and enjoy the fun of competitive tennis. It is structured so that it is a challenging and positive experience for all participants. It is unique for a tournament in that it combines
the following aspects :
1) Coach Supervision and assistance
2) A variety of tournament formats each day to maximise participation
3) Lots of matches
4) Lots of oppponents
WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP WITH LESSONS?
Lessons are designed to develop each child's skills, self-esteem, and love for the game. Our graded programmes are on-going, carefully planned, and sequential with unlimited opportunities. Match-play in our various formats presents the student with an opportunity to practice these skills under match conditions.
WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP. Beyond this kids can progress to club competition, regional tournaments, state tournaments and perhaps the real Wimbledon! If you would like us to fax or e-mail a copy of our "Pathways Document" we can, however it would be ideal to make an appointment at the Pro-Shop to speak to one of our senior coaches. Our system will now identify and inform all students as to when they are ready to progress.
Trophies, Incentives and Rewards
Program
- CHAMP Card (Trophies & More)
- DAMP Champ (Karate Belt system which shows your progression)
To see the Toptenn trophies CLICK HERE
Toptenn CHAMP Card - Participation Awards Card.
Each student at the Toptenn Tennis Academy has a CHAMP card. CHAMP is an acronym for Commitment, Hard-work, Attitude, Motivation and Participation.
Students earn CHAMP points for all of their Toptenn lessons, clinics and activities. CHAMP points are then recorded on your CHAMP Card. 1 box on the CHAMP card symbolises 1 CHAMP point.
More CHAMP points = more TROPHIES. Once students have collected 4 CHAMP points (4 ticked boxes) they receive a trophy. Students collect a BIGGER trophy for every 4 points they earn.
Coaches will also award CHAMP points according to students who demonstrate the 5 pilars of CHAMP - Commitment, Hard-work, Attitude, Motivation and Participation.
Toptenn DAMP CHAMP - CHAMP Regonition
Once a student has collected 4 CHAMP points and their first/next trophy they also receive a coloured vibration dampener to go on their racquet. The dampener reprsents what CHAMP level they are up to (just like karate belt). This is a warning sign for your opposition, helps your coach to get you to the next level even faster and is recognition of all your hard work and achievement.
Look below to see what Colour represents what CHAMP Level/trophy:
Yellow - CHAMP Award
Grey - Super CHAMP Award
Red - Mega CHAMP Award
Blue - Ultra CHAMP Award
Pink - Toptenn Legend
Black - Toptenn Hall of Fame
Clear - Toptenn Platinum Member
Toptenn uses all of the latest teaching and learning equipment and apparatus including:
Breakthrough Advanced Learning System (BALS) - Coloured Balls: Toptenn has introduced Tennis Australia MLC Hot Shots Coloured Balls into our coaching program. Toptenn was among the first tennis schools worldwide to do so.
By using the coloured balls students are matched with equipment that is appropriate for their age, size and ability. Each ball helps players to improve and progress to the next stage of their development effectively and efficiently:
Red Ball/Ausie Mossie: Used with our Aussie Mozzie Students. Red Balls are slower and larger. Giving Aussie Mozzie's more time and improving success (eg. Red balls are easier to hit, easier to catch, easier to see, etc).
Orange Ball/Hot Shots Radical : Used with our Hot Shot Radicals. Orange balls are 50% slower than a standard tennis ball. They help Radicals to achieve longer rallies and and simplify basic to intermediate technique and tactics.
Green Ball/Hot Shots Extreme: Used with our Hot Shots Extremes. Green balls are 25% slower than a standard tennis ball. They facilitate longer rallies and help Extreme players to explore and apply more tactical concepts. Green balls simplify intermediate to advanced technique.
Tennis Playstation (pictured below) is a wonderful skill development work station. One of its excellent features is to accelerate a students understanding and skill progression in developing topsin and underspin.
Ball machines. The Academy has three different levels of Ball Machines starting with our "Aussie Mozzie" spiral machine right up to Boris who is a high-tech 400 ball capacity computerised machine that can fire balls at up to 160 kph and at 3 balls per second.
Radar "Speed Chek" Guns
The Toptenn Coaches will measure your service speed to monitor how it increases over time!
Airzone and Ropezone.
Excellent rope target systems to improve your accuracy, develop your depth and sharpen up your angles!
Dennis Vandermeer "Target Trainers will help you pinpoint your shots and assist in some very clever technical development tools these trainers incorporate.
Please click on Advanced Coaching Link to discover some of our high tech stroke analysis and tactical enhancement apparatus.
Toptenn coordinates and conducts the coaching programmes at three of Melbourne's leading Private Schools. Our team of professional coaches also train and prepare the School teams for inter-school competition.
Toptenn Coach and State Grade and former world-ranked player Vicky Lee giving some valuable tips to some aspiring Ivanhoe Grammar School girls.
Current schools where Toptenn provides quality programmes:
Scotch College
Camberwell Grammar Boys
Canterbury Primary
This is a fantastic way to get young kids started, develop their confidence, and encourage them to move into the club coaching situation.
Schools currently participating
Scotch College
Canterbury Primary School
Wattle Park Primary
Surrey Hills Primary School
East Kew Primary School
Camberwell South Primary
Hartwell Primary School
Ashburton Primary School
Deepdene Primary School