Paula Dunn (Para-athletics) and Mel Marshall (swimming) will be among a group of leading coaches who will guide other women as part of the scheme.
“It’s a critical and probably long overdue step,” Dunn told BBC Sport.
Marshall said the existing representation figures are “concerning” and Sally Munday – who took up the UK Sport chief executive role last May – agrees with her.
In addition to Dunn and Marshall, Kate Howey (judo), Bex Milnes (Para-triathlon) and Tracy Whittaker-Smith (trampolining) will all offer opportunities for female coaches to observe them in action, while former GB Hockey coach Karen Brown will act as a mentor.
Why are female role models so important?
Dunn won five Commonwealth medals for England as a sprinter and, having taken her first job with UK Athletics in 2001, she progressed to her role as British Para-athletics head coach in late 2012.
However, towards the end of her career on the track she had been reluctant to consider coaching as an option because she did not see anyone like her in those positions.
“We need to break boundaries and it’s critical we have people in positions that female athletes can look up to,” said Dunn.
What has traditionally held female coaches back?
“Women don’t want to be treated specially, but sometimes there needs to be a little flexibility,” said Dunn, who for several years juggled life as a single parent with full-time employment.
“If a meeting is called for 8am then that’s horrendous for me as I have my son to take to school, so I’ll have to either ask for it to be moved or arrange childcare.
Women bring a “completely different dynamic”, according to Marshall, a former Olympian and European champion swimmer.
