Bitterne-born 5000 metres runner Alison Wyeth is among the first batch of experienced track and field internationals to take up UK Athletics' invitation to become a qualified coach.
Along with stars like shot-putter Judy Oakes and runners Yvonne Murray-Mooney and Richard Nerurkar, Wyeth has attended a pioneering teach-in at Loughborough University.
UK Athletics' performance director Max Jones said: "I've worked for national governing bodies for 20 years.
"None have done much to encourage former international athletes to stay in the sport. We cannot afford to turn our back on this valuable resource. What we cannot replace by reading books, watching videos or attending courses is the experience of actually having been there and done it."
