From athlete to leader: Jason Dunkerley on the impact of IPC's leadership course
Canada’s five-time Paralympic medallist Jason Dunkerley shares his experience participating in the IPC’s Para Athlete Professionals leadership course The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is accepting applications for the next cohort. Applications are open until 2 August 2026 15 Jul 2026
In May, 19 Paralympians celebrated completing a seven-month leadership course organised by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), designed to support retiring athletes in transitioning into leadership roles beyond sport.
The Para Athlete Professionals programme equips athletes with the skills, confidence and networks needed to thrive within the Paralympic Movement and beyond, supporting their transition from high-performance sport to life after competition.
With the application period for the second cohort of Paralympians now open until 2 August, we spoke to members of the inaugural group and, over the coming days, we will be publishing a series of stories to share their key takeaways and messages for future participants.
Here, Canada’s Jason Dunkerley, a five-time Paralympic medallist in Para athletics, shares his experiences from the programme and the kind of leader he hopes to become.
IPC: What encouraged you to participate in this programme and what were your expectations?
I applied because I was looking for a way to stay involved in Para sport and the Paralympic Movement. After officially retiring from the track in 2023, I felt unsure about how I could stay involved. My work in Canada is in sport, but not specifically in Para sport. When I saw this opportunity, I thought I had to go for this and it just felt right.
I knew good things would come from participating, meeting other athletes and being part of a programme that could teach us about how we could remain involved and contribute to the Movement.
The discussion around athlete transition is not talked about very much. I was interested in that because I was obviously going through the transition and just wanted to be part of a course that would focus on that.
IPC: What are your takeaways from the course?
I’ve learned so much, from learning about the IPC and on its commitment to create a more inclusive world through Para sport, which really resonated with me, to discussions about how to share our own stories. There were workshops on different topics, from financial planning to having difficult conversations, to verbal and written communication. We heard from incredible speakers.
It’s all been incredibly instructive. One takeaway was to not be shy about being a Paralympian. Being a Paralympian has taught all of us what it takes to reach the Paralympics – consistency, discipline and resilience - and how those things can transfer beyond sport.
Another big takeaway has been the collaboration and the encouragement to reach out to others through mentorships, learning from people who are at the centre of this Movement, but also from each other. We formed this community of support, which I think we’re always going to have, and I think it’s incredibly powerful.
IPC: What did it mean for you to take this programme with fellow Paralympians?
We’ve each grown individually and as a group. Sharing an experience like this with the group is incredibly valuable, and as we continue each on our own journeys, having this team around us is really empowering and enabling.
IPC: What kind of leader do you want to become?
One of the incredible speakers we had was IPC President Andrew Parsons. He joined us remotely from Brazil, was present and gave us a lot of his time – he was totally committed and took it really seriously.
He talked about the idea of being a servant leader, and it really resonated with me because often there’s a sense that leaders should be out front and have all the answers and strategy. I got the feeling from him that he’s someone who surrounds himself with advisers and different perspectives that inform his ability to be a leader. That’s the type of leader I hope to be – someone who builds knowledge and competency around them because I certainly don’t have it all – and brings people along the journey of leading.
Leadership is not necessarily about one single person, because this Movement is so much bigger than any one of us. It’s about bringing people together with the right tools, information, expertise, knowledge and passion.
IPC: Can you share a message to the next cohorts and Paralympians who are thinking about applying for this programme?
This is an amazing opportunity to learn and grow, discover yourself, learn from others and challenge yourself to take a step forward in your journey beyond being an athlete.
About the Para Athlete Professionals Programme
From 2025 to 2028, a select group of Paralympians from around the world will take part in this annual programme, designed to unlock their leadership potential.
Through in-person and online learning, participants will build the skills, confidence, and networks needed to thrive in leadership roles. Cultivating a new generation of Para athletes who are not only ambassadors for the Paralympic Movement but also active, impactful changemakers in their communities and beyond.
How to apply for the 2026-2027 programme
Following the successful completion of its first-ever leadership course for retiring Paralympians in May 2026, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced a call for applications for the second cycle.
The six-month course takes place both in-person and online, and will kick off at the IPC Campus in Bonn, Germany, in November 2026. After the initial week in Bonn, Paralympians will participate in several months of online learning courses covering subjects including financial literacy, strategic thinking, and public speaking. At the end of the course, Paralympians will present an Athlete Transition Action Plan, a personalised strategy for career advancement and long-term impact.
To be eligible for the course, applicants must be Paralympians who have competed in at least one edition of the Paralympic Games and have retired from competition or are in the process of retiring.
The application for the 2026/2027 cycle can be accessed here. Applications are now open until 2 August 2026.
