Athletes and their coaches will be supported in their individual development plans, allowing for more flexibility and individual discretion around distribution of resources.

Included on the programme are British junior duo and cross country specialists Emelia Gorecka (pictured) and Jonathan Hay, who are both coached by Mick Woods.

So too are Commonwealth Games trio Max Eaves, coaced by Alan Richardson, a bronze medallist in Delhi, Meghan Beesley, coached Nick Dakin, who retains her place, and Vikki Hubbard, who is coach: Graham Ravenscroft, who also represented Britain at the World Indoor Championships in Doha earlier this year.

The Futures Programme - which supports athletes and their coaches prior to their entry on to the World Class Performance Programme (WCPP) - was born out of the desire to provide more targeted support for young talented athletes and their coaches.

It focuses on athletes with the potential to deliver global medals for Britain in the future - typically in the 17 to 20 age range but with flexibility towards athletes who are deemed an exceptional case for support.

Katie Byres, coached by Julien Raffalli, and Sophie McKinna, coached by Geoff Capes, who both represented Team GB at the inaugural Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in August, are also named.

UK Athletics head of coaching and development Kevin Tyler said: "We are delighted to be able to support 28 outstanding athlete and coach partnerships through the UKA Futures Programme.

"The pairings have earned their way on to the programme and we are confident that our strategy of investing in talented athletes and receptive coaches is an effective means of ensuring we have strong GB and NI senior representation going forward."

UK Athletics Futures Programme leader Jo Jennings added: "We will be supporting a group of very strong athletes and their coaches in their plans and preparations for a busy 2011 season.

"Selection criteria for the programme this year were very tough but we strongly believe that these athletes all have the potential to advance to the WCPP and a successful senior career.

"I really look forward to working with these talented coach/athlete pairs over the coming year and seeing them progress."