The initiative, which is being staged in conjunction with European Athletics, forms part of the British Athletics Annual Officials Conference where an additional 200 officials will be in attendance.

Staging the event was a key part of the successful London bid for the 2017 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Athletic Championships as it is designed to develop the legacy of women's leadership and officiating in athletics in preparation for the event at the Olympic Stadium.

The seminar is also designed to increase the involvement of women in sport at all levels and in all functions and roles while it will be held annually in Britain for the next four years.

"Currently women are under-represented in terms of leadership and decision making roles in sport and the Women in World Athletics Seminar is an excellent opportunity to bring together key individuals to debate and create a better platform and balance for women operating as either officials or competition providers," said British Athletics major events director Cherry Alexander.

"The Women in World Athletics Seminar will allow us to set the scene and strengthen the pathway for women as we build towards London 2017 and our aim is to ensure women are afforded more opportunities leading in officiating roles and event management.

"The workshops will give the delegates an opportunity to share best practice and good examples of their involvement and journey within athletics and enhance their personal development plans."


The event is being partnered by UK Sport and the IAAF Regional Development Centre in Moscow.

Key figures in attendance in Solihull include British Athletics UK Members Council Officials Representative Wendy Haxell, Alexander Porkhomosvsky from the IAAF Regional Development Centre in Russia and Britain's Sydney 2000 Olympic bronze medallist Katharine Merry.

"Since 2009 European Athletics has celebrated the important contributions made by women across the continent to athletics through our biennial Women's Leadership Awards," said European Athletics President Hansjörg Wirz.

"Now we are pleased to be working with British Athletics, the IAAF and other great partners on this seminar, which looks forward and encourages the next generation of women competition officials and club leaders."

The four-day event is due begin tomorrow and run until Monday (April 15).

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