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!
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
What is Aussie Mozzie Cossie?
At their frist lesson each new student is presented with their Sunsmart Aussie Mozzie Cap and Aussie Mozzie T-Shirt to wear to tennis each week.
What Equipment Does Aussie Mozzie Use?
Special modified racquets, modified net, low compression balls which move slowly through the air, are softer and easier to hit, billy the ball machine, and more!
How Long Does Aussie Mozie Go For?
AusMoz Minis (30min)
● 30 minute classes for 4-5yrs.
AusMoz Minors (45min)
● 45 minute classes for 5-7yrs. Use the 'big net' for the final 15 minutes of each lesson.
Toptenn director Peter Owen, together with several
of our coaching staff, have physical education backgrounds. We therefore understand
the real importance of developing co - ordination, balance, judgement, movement
and basic decision making at the earliest opportunity.
TopTenn in its twenty year history has always conducted a modified tennis program
and was the foundation member of the Wilson ‘Mr Pee Wee’ and the ‘Head Start’
tennis programs in Australia. Aussie Mozzie is the culmination
of all our experience in teaching little tennis players.
What are the benefits?
So many young kids are not exposed to the very important ‘universal ball skills’
until it is almost too late. Rolling, throwing, catching, stopping, eye-tracking,
etc, are so critical to kids in all ball sports, not only in preparation for
a sporting future, but for basic co-ordination and self esteem in their day to
day activities. We live in the age of computers, Nintendo and Playstation. Do
you want your child to be sedentary at age 8?
A common statement from parents is “my child is not ready to play tennis because
he/she can’t hit the ball”. Our philosophy and experience tells us that the less
co-ordinated your child is the earlier they need to be introduced to basic ball
skills. The older they get without intervention,
the less likely they will develop
the confidence to go onto a court. We may lose them to tennis before they start.
Mozzie Progressions
Stage 1:
MOZZIE “MINI” for 4 to 5 year olds.
This is played over a very small net to maximise
success and hence self-esteem.
The lesson is of 30 minutes duration which we find to be an ideal concentration
period at this early stage of development.
Mozzies will have color-ins depicting various shots to take home for homework.
The focus for minis is on general coordination and universal motor skills.
Stage 2:
MOZZIE “MINOR” for 6 to 7 year olds.
This is played over a medium
size net to continue to promote success but to
provide a greater challenge and a sense of progression. “Minor” lessons are of
45 minute duration. An exciting Minor” lessons are of 45 minute duration. An
exciting aspect of this program is that the final 15 minutes of each lesson is
conducted on the full size tennis court in preparation for the next phase. Students
will graduate to our full court junior programme and will receive a graduation
certificate.
Stage 3:
M O Z Z I E “ T H E G A M E ”
is a scaled down version of full court tennis to complement and utilise skills
developed through the “Mini/Minor” programmes.
It is a non threatening introduction to basic competition. We encourage parents
to become active participants and a doubles partner for their child at this level.
Holiday Programs:
Mozzie Mini/Minor is an integral part of our Toptenn Mini Grand Slam Holiday
Clinic and Tournament Series. See our
Holiday Programme brochure for further details.
Mozzie School Yard Tennis
Currently the Toptenn Tennis Academy conducts “School Yard Tennis” at Scotch
College, Ivanhoe Grammar, Canterbury Primary and Wattle Park Primary.
We have a variety of programmes and formats which we use in the school yard for
promotional clinics and are available for physical education programmes in schools.
Schools interested in incorporating one of our tennis modules in to their physical
education programme should contact the Toptenn ProShop.
We provide all the necessary equipment including nets and a class set of racquets.
Pictured below are some of the stars of Canterbury Primary "Aussie Mozzie Schoolyard Tennis" . Many of these players have now graduated to the "full-size" court.