The former athletes, who have five Olympic Games appearances and over 400 international caps between them, will take on the joint roles of chair for a two-year period following the FIH Congress in Dubai this November.

The structural change was approved by the FIH Executive Board earlier this week in Lausanne after the recommendation was put forward to them by the Athletes' Committee.

It is seen as an important step for the FIH as it strives to continue to implement good governance and gender parity across all areas of the organisation in-line with Olympic Agenda 2020's recommendations.

Cox and Panter were two of the four candidates to be elected directly by their peers at the Rabobank Hockey World Cup in The Hague in June 2014.

Earlier this year, they were nominated as joint chairs by their fellow Committee members in a bid to ensure continuity throughout several projects.

Panter will assume the role of athletes' representative on the FIH Executive Board and Competitions Committee, while Cox will remain an athletes' representative for International Olympic Committee and international relations activity on behalf of FIH, as well as on the Umpiring Committee and the Event Portfolio Working Group.

Germany's Green leaves his position after a six-year tenure which has seen him lead an overhaul of the Athletes' Committee.

"Personally, my proudest moment has been the implementation of our first-ever Athletes' Committee elections at the World Cup in 2014, where we had voting participation of 93 per cent," said Green.

"However, over the past six years we have also made significant progress in terms of Athletes' representation in all FIH Committees and Panels, as well as improving continental representation by building strong relationships with the Federations."

He added: "Marsha and Annie are the perfect candidates to take on this role.

"They are both determined to help Continental Federations establish their own Athletes' Committees whilst also continue the good work we have been making with international relations.

"Athletes are the heart of the Olympic Movement and through our Athletes' Committee, with Marsha and Annie at the helm, they will continue to play a hugely important role in decision-making."

FIH chief executive Kelly Fairweather paid his compliments to the departing chair.

"Michael has been a crucial component in the development of the FIH Athletes' Committee over the past six years," he said.

"His energy and enthusiasm has been inspirational.

"On behalf of the Executive Board and all of our athletes, we thank him for his tireless effort and dedication to his work."

He added: "He does however leave it in very capable hands.

"Marsha and Annie have shown great desire to continue the great progress that the Athletes' Committee has made.

"All athletes can be assured that these two strong personalities will be passionately driving their best interests to ensure their voice is heard when it comes to key decisions for the sport of hockey."

The Athletes' Committee plays a role in the FIH Hockey Revolution, a 10-year strategy aimed at making hockey a global game that inspires the next generation.

Through its direct contact with athletes, the Committee is aiming to help drive many of the key initiatives designed to achieve the main goals of the strategy.

Panter has been playing senior international hockey since the age of 18, making her England debut in August 2002 against China in the Champions Trophy. 

She went on to win 108 caps for England and Great Britain and became a familiar figure in the defensive line, competing in two Olympic Games, European Championships, Champions Trophies and a World Cup.

Among her honours are two European Championship bronze medals, silver at the 2012 Champions Trophy in Argentina and Olympic bronze at London 2012.

Cox made her debut for South Africa in October 2001 at the age of 18 and went on to represent her country at three Olympic Games and two World Cups, earning over 300 caps.

She has also competed at four Commonwealth Games, and was part of the South African team that finished in fourth place at Glasgow 2014.

The former South Africa team captain was selected for the FIH World Player of the Year in 2007, 2009 and 2010.