The Female Coaching Network (FCN), the world’s leading organisation dedicated to empowering female coaches, has announced a partnership with UK Athletics (UKA) to drive positive change in how athletics coaches are recruited, developed, and retained for Great Britain & Northern Ireland international teams.

This collaboration is part of the global project Advancing Female Coaches in International Athletics: Systemic Change Starts With Selection, led by FCN and supported by the International Athletics Foundation, Professor Leanne Norman, and the Women’s International Athletics Coaching Forum.

The project aims to establish fair and transparent staff selection processes that prioritise athlete needs, while increasing opportunities and representation for female coaches worldwide.

Together, FCN and UKA will develop a new standard for coach recruitment by professionalising selection policies, building on UKA’s existing best practices, and collaborating with key stakeholders to create a strategic, sustainable framework within high-performance athletics. Member Federations from across the globe will also be invited to participate, further extending the project’s impact worldwide.

Vicky Huyton, Founder of the FCN said; “This partnership is an opportunity to build on UKA’s strong foundations in staff selection and demonstrate how transparent, athlete-centered processes can transform our sport. Female coaches remain vastly underrepresented on the world stage, yet their impact is clear and vital. By working with the Female Coaching Network, UKA is showing real leadership — proving that change is not only possible, but essential for the future of athletics.”

Paula Dunn, Performance Director at UK Athletics said; “Creating fair, transparent, and inclusive systems is vital if we are to continue raising standards across athletics. At UKA, we are committed to supporting coaches and believe this collaboration gives us a real opportunity to drive meaningful change in years to come.

“I look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders and seeing the positive impact this partnership will have – not only for female coaches but the wider impact across track and field.”

In the lead-up to LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, UKA, and FCN — in partnership with Women in Sport — will present the model to the UK’s high-performance sporting system, highlighting their best practice in adapting the framework. Exploring areas regarding transparent staff selection, safer working practices, and greater representation of female coaches across future Team GB delegations in years to come.