STRANGE things happen in the middle of summer. Tennis rackets are dusted off, park courts are full and dads are convinced they can serve like Federer. It's the Wimbledon factor.

Interest in tennis reaches a peak and more children take up the game than at any other time. Inspiring these juniors to continue all year round is vital to the sport's success and, fortunately, the North-East has the person to do just that.

Barbara Borwell is the Durham and Cleveland County mini-tennis coach, a position funded by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). Based at Tennis World, in Middlesbrough, one of her many roles is to help deliver the LTA's starter schemes to young players around the region.

"Mini tennis is a scaled down version of the real thing," said Barbara.

Played on shorter courts with specially-designed rackets and lower bouncing balls, everything is designed to make the game easier and fun for the very youngest players.

"The mini game is a fantastic tool for igniting young children's interest in tennis," she said. "It is a sport that can be enjoyed by players of all abilities and at the same time gives a superb grounding for the champions of the future."

And she should know - Barbara has had first hand experience of the benefits of mini-tennis.

She enrolled her eldest daughter, Sarah, in a junior beginner course at the age of eight. Sarah's potential stood out immediately and Barbara was encouraged to involve her daughter in as much junior tennis activity as possible. It was from there that Barbara's involvement in the game, and mini-tennis in particular, grew.

Mum became an expert in her field and Sarah's progress was even more dramatic. She is a now full-time professional and has just competed in this year's ladies' singles at Wimbledon.

Barbara's youngest daughter, Pippa, is a top county player and also started out by playing the shortened game.

Mini-tennis is expanding and Barbara is instrumental in introducing the game to hundreds of young players each year.

"A large part of the job is liaising with schools, local authorities and of course the coaches," she said.

"There is a tremendous amount of satisfaction seeing these schemes produce a huge interest in tennis amongst the children."

It is a role that requires excellent organisational skills and endless enthusiasm; qualities Barbara has in abundance.

One scheme she is particularly enthusiastic about is The Spring Health Challenge. Aimed at seven and eight-year-olds, pupils are offered mini tennis coaching in curriculum time, culminating in a fun competition at a central venue against other participating schools. Barbara is the scheme's co-ordinator and currently has more than 200 schools involved.

"The Spring Health Challenge is important because it generates a real interest in the game within school time, allowing children to have a go and hopefully become inspired into taking up tennis at their local clubs," she said.

Barbara is also a qualified coach with the LTA and takes her own very popular mini-tennis sessions, currently coaching more than 100 four to nine-year-olds every week.

If a talented young player could harness Barbara's dedication, then strange things indeed may happen in future summers. We may just have a British Wimbledon champion.

* Barbara Borwell can be contacted at Tennis World, Middlesbrough on (01642) 322388.