The scheme aims to accelerate the development of the nation's most exciting coaching prospects. The announcement pits some former athletes with others who have already embarked on a coaching career and - with London 2012 in mind, includes the head coaches for the men's and women's British hockey teams, Jason Lee (pictured) and Danny Kenny.

 

The full list is:

* Graham Antwhistle - Swimming

 

* Jess Garland - Netball

 

* Louise Graham - Swimming

 

* Steve Harris - Canoeing

 

* Harvey Hillary - Sailing

 

* Danny Kerry - Hockey (women)

 

* Harry King - Athletics

 

* Jason Lee - Hockey (men)

 

* Tony Minichello - Athletics

 

* Darren Warner - Judo

The scheme will see tailor-made programmes developed for each of the 10 coaches, which will not only allow them to develop their technical skills by working with and observing the best in action, but also to develop the leadership skills which are the hallmark of the best operators in high-performance environments in the world of sport, business, industry and the arts.

"As the name suggests, our intention is to take some of the most promising coaches that British sport has to offer and to expose them to the best practitioners from the sport sector and beyond - wherever they happen to be in the world", said Liz Nicholl, UK Sport's Director of Performance.

 

"When you add that to the ability for this group to share their experiences with one another, you have a powerful mix that will result in a new breed of elite coach capable of inspiring our athletes to new heights."

The 10 are the third group since the scheme's inauguration in 2004. Just making the starting line for the three year programme was an achievement in itself, as candidates - who had to be nominated by their governing bodies - underwent a rigorous selection process.

"Coaches will play a critical role in our ambition to move up the Olympic medal table both in Beijing and critically in London 2012," said Nicholl. "As such, Elite Coach represents a key strategic investment in our drive for success and as the past 24 months have shown, is capable of delivering results in an accelerated timeframe.

"Whilst we had put a tremendous effort into building a programme around all those selected and were always confident that it would deliver, we hadn't necessarily anticipated just how much each group would develop its own dynamic of support, challenge and drive, that has had a hugely positive impact on both the coaches and their sports."

The 2006 group will come together for the first time next month where they will hear from key figures within the high-performance coaching industry and spend time putting the finishing touches to their individual development programmes which will see them undertake anything from international exchange programmes with the world's most successful sports, to placements in business and the arts.

UK Sport hopes that the £500,000 per year programme will produce over 50 elite British coaches by 2012.