Kerrie Leonard has become the first Irish Paralympian to complete the International Paralympic Committee’s Para Athlete Professionals training course.
The programme was launched by the International Paralympic Committee as part of its Sport for Mobility Programme, a four-year initiative designed to support Paralympians as they prepare for the next stage of their professional lives beyond competition.
Leonard, who represented Ireland in Para archery at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, was one of 19 athletes selected for the first cohort of the programme from more than 1,000 Paralympians who applied.
Delivered through a blend of in-person and online training, Para Athlete Professionals supports athletes to develop skills, knowledge and confidence that can help them become leaders, innovators and advocates within the Paralympic Movement and beyond. The course focuses on areas including leadership and self-awareness, career readiness, digital, financial and business literacy, public speaking and advocacy, industry awareness and networking, and legacy building.
Reflecting on the programme, Leonard said: “The course had a really profound effect on me as I adapted to life after elite sport and have to say I processed a lot of complex emotions along the way. The 10 modules ran the gauntlet to prepare athletes for life after representing your country at a Paralympic Games. The topics included financial and media literacy, navigating difficult conversations as well as strategic thinking. It was truly a global community coming together to support each other and experiment to build out the programme for many more to come.”
Leonard also highlighted the significance of giving the closing valedictorian speech, describing it as an added honour after completing the course.
