The new initiative is the trusted education partner of the IPC working together to improve educational standards within sport throughout the Paralympic Movement and ensuring that executives, administrators and officials have an educational centre that is sensitive to their needs and in touch with trends and developments, providing world class programmes. It will further the continued aim of the IPC to provide the best support possible for all of its constituents with the ultimate aim of helping all Paralympic athletes to perform at their personal best and inspire and excite the world.

This partnership is the sixth which the World Academy of Sport has established and is based at the world leading Manchester Business School.

The Director of the World Academy of Sport, Chris Solly, said: "‘I am delighted that the World Academy of Sport is able to join with the IPC in this important initiative. We all saw the results of the work done by the IPC and the Paralympic Movement at the Paralympic Games, but to do this requires years of work, not just for Organizing Committees but importantly for National Paralympic Committees and their international supporters. This initiative ensures the IPC is able to assist its constituents in their work all over the globe".

The IPC Academy will deliver its first tailored programme for administrators next week from 26-28 May with representatives from 19 different National Paralympic Committees in Manchester, Great Britain.

More information about the IPC Academy can be found on www.ipc-academy.org