The scheme is funded by Sport Canada and pairs apprentice coaches who have recently graduated with existing coaches in the U SPORTS system.

U SPORTS is the national governing body of university sport in Canada.

"We’re excited to open the recruitment process for the second year of our Female Apprentice Coach Program," U SPORTS chief sports officer Lisette Johnson-Stapley said.

"As we continue to tackle the unprecedented challenges currently facing Canadian sport, this initiative will open new doors and provide the tools for furthering coaching development and education in Canadian university sport and for success to more proud alumnae aspiring to become coaches themselves in the near future. 

"We appreciate the ongoing support of our partners at Sport Canada for helping us further make those dreams a reality."

In the Female Apprentice Coach Program's first year, 18 apprentice coaches were selected across eight sports to take part.

There are 11 women's sports that U SPORTS sanctions - basketball, rugby union, soccer, cross country, curling, swimming, ice hockey, field hockey, track and field, wrestling and volleyball - and recently-graduated coaches from any of them are eligible to apply for the apprenticeship programme. 

The deadline for applications is January 29, and full information is available here.