The Female Coaching Network (FCN) is proud to announce the launch of the FCN |Women’s International Athletics Coaching Forum (WIACF), a groundbreaking initiative designed to connect and empower high-performance female coaches in elite international athletics.
As the landscape of track and field evolves, the need for a strong, independent platform dedicated to female coaches has never been greater. The WIACF emerges as a vital space for these professionals to collaborate, share experiences, and drive meaningful change within the sport.
Led by a distinguished group of international athletics coaches with decades of experience at the highest levels, the WIACF is built on the foundation of expertise and advocacy. Among its founding members are Laura Turner-Alleyne, Lead 4x100m Coach for UK Athletics and Director of West London Track & Field; Vickie Croley, a High-Performance Jumps and Combined Events Coach and Head Coach at Western University in Canada; Mechelle Lewis Freeman, an Olympic Sprints Coach and the most successful 4x100m relay coach in US history; Carole Bam, Head Coach of the Belgian Cheetahs 4x400m Relay Team; Vicky Huyton, Sprints Coach and Founder of the Female Coaching Network; Sharon Hannan, renowned for coaching Olympic Gold Medallist Sally Pearson; and Jackie Newton, an esteemed Endurance Coach and Performance Lead. Together, these pioneering women are uniting to address the systemic challenges facing female coaches in track and field.
The purpose of the WIACF is clear: to provide an independent platform where high-performance female coaches can connect, support one another, and amplify their voices in elite international athletics. It aims to advocate for change in recruitment, retention, and recognition, ensuring that female coaches are given equitable opportunities to progress and lead within the sport. The forum will also support the FCN’s ‘Advancing Female Coaches in International Athletics’ project, leveraging member insights to drive policy shifts and systemic improvements. By compiling a global repository of coaching experiences, the WIACF aspires to shape the future of athletics coaching on an international scale.
For too long, female coaches have faced significant barriers within the sport, a reality underscored by stark statistics. Fewer than 5% of Member Federations currently have a female Performance Director or Head Coach, and only 10% of coach accreditations at major international championships are awarded to female team coaches. Even more strikingly, just 8% of the athletes at the Paris Olympic Games had a female coach. While progress has been made in areas such as officiating and council leadership roles, the pathways, opportunities, and overall recognition for female coaches remain stagnant—or, in some cases, are even regressing. The time for change is now, and the WIACF seeks to be at the forefront of that transformation.
Founder of the FCN and WIACF member Vicky Huyton underscores the urgency of this initiative:
“Over the last few years, we have conducted extensive research, advised and consulted with federations, and built networks within the high-performance track and field arena. We’ve analysed the statistics, identified systemic barriers, and examined policies that shape the landscape of international performance coaching. What we’ve found is a significant gap in equality between male and female coaches.
Now more than ever, the sport needs a global network of female track and field coaches. It needs a place for female coaches to feel supported, feel heard, and feel valued. The WIACF will provide an independent and supportive platform for female coaches, empowering them to lead change and collaborate with federations to create a more equitable system.
In the coming weeks, we will be launching additional initiatives within track and field and look forward to working alongside WIACF and any athletics federation that wishes to be supported, to develop more effective, inclusive, and safer elite coaching systems for all.”
High-performance female athletics coaches are invited to join the WIACF and be part of a global movement committed to fostering change and advancing the role of female coaches in elite athletics. Those interested can sign up through the FCN website and take part in shaping the future of track and field coaching.
The Female Coaching Network remains the leading global community for female sports coaches, dedicated to supporting, connecting, and empowering women across all levels of sport. Through initiatives like the WIACF, the FCN continues to drive gender equality and work towards a future where female coaches are given the opportunities, resources, and recognition they deserve. For more information and to join the WIACF, please visit www.femalecoachingnetwork.com/wiacf.
The purpose of the group is:
✔️ Independent Platform – We provide an independent platform for high performance female coaches to connect and share their experiences coaching in elite international athletics.
✔️ Advocate for Change – We advocate for change within the high performance athletics coaching system for the betterment of female coach recruitment, retention, and recognition of female coaches.
✔️ Advancing Female Coaches – WIACF members provide the FCN insights and support towards the ‘Advancing Female Coaches in International Athletics’ project.
✔️Build a Global Picture – Together, WIACF will create a unique library of insights and experiences that can help guide the future of athletics coaching around the Globe.
The WIACF founding members are
Laura Turner – Alleyne – Laura is the 4x100m Lead for UK Athletics, overseeing relay strategy and coaching to achieve success at major championships and the Olympic Games. She also supports the UKA Futures programme and has served as Team coach for GB&NI. Laura is also the Head Coach of West London Track & Field.
Vickie Croley – Vickie is in her 32nd year as the Head Coach of Western University and coaching with the London Western Track & Field ClubShe has also coached some of Canada’s top high-performance athletes, including Decathlete Damian Warner to Gold at the Tokyo Olympic Games and served as Team Coach for Canada.
Mechelle Lewis -Freeman – Mechelle is the winningest USA Relay Coach of all time, as she coached the women’s 4 x 100, 4 x 400 and mixed 4 x 400 to Gold at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships and Gold and WRs at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.Mechelle is also the founder of TrackGirlz.
Carole Bam – Carole is a former sprinter who competed for Cameroon at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games. She is now a 400m specialist based in Belgium, as well the Head Coach to the 4 X400m women’s relay team, leading them to their first ever medal at the European Athletics Championships 2024.
Sharon Hannan – Sharon, renowned for coaching Olympic gold medallist Sally Pearson, is a Queensland-based sprints and hurdles coach. With 40 years of experience, she now mentors coaches for Athletics Australia and the AIS.
Jackie Newton – Jackie has held various leadership positions within high-performance sport in the UK and Ireland and brings experience of developing pathways for athletes and coaches that have led to World-Class performances and championship success. She is currently the Performance Lead at Mountaineering Ireland and working with Olympic and Paralympic Coaches tracking towards the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, as well as the lead for Sport Ireland for the Pursuit of Excellence Programme for Brisbane in 2032.
Vicky Huyton – Vicky is the founder of the FCN and a global leader in coach development. Formerly a sprints coach, she now specialises in coaching elite coaches focusing on wellbeing and performance.
How To Join
Membership is informal and is aimed at female athletics / track & field coaches with the following experience; coaching international athletes, team staff / coach on an international team at a major champs, S&C coaches who work with elite level athletes.
As a member, you will have access to attend our live webinars, receive monthly newsletters and be a part of a growing and developing global athletics coaching community.
☑️ Coaching International Athletes
Coaching junior and or senior international athletes who have competed at Diamond League, Area championship (ie European Championships), Commonwealth Games, World Championship and or Olympics, or Paralympics in the last 20 years.
☑️ Team Staff Experience
Coaches who have had a role within International Team Management such as Team Coach, in the last 10 years.