We are pleased to announce the appointment of Patrick Stolpmann as IFAPA’s new Disability Community Liaison. Patrick is currently the Executive Director of the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE), where he has served since 2023. His leadership within ICSSPE, combined with his extensive background in international sport and policy development, positions him as an invaluable partner in strengthening IFAPA’s work across the global adapted physical activity community.
Patrick’s career spans more than ten years of experience in organizations that place inclusion, accessibility, and equitable sport participation at their core. Prior to leading ICSSPE, he served in key leadership positions at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), where he contributed to strategic planning, organizational transformation, and cross-sector collaboration. His time at the IPC deepened his engagement with global disability sport, offering him a rich understanding of the systemic opportunities and challenges that continue to shape inclusive physical activity worldwide.
At ICSSPE, Patrick has been instrumental in advancing the organization’s mission to promote high-quality research, education, and advocacy in sport and physical activity. He has worked to strengthen ICSSPE’s visibility and partnerships, expand its international programming, and support its networks of scholars, practitioners, and policymakers. His leadership reflects a longstanding commitment to evidence-based approaches and cross-disciplinary cooperation — values that strongly align with IFAPA’s mission.
As IFAPA’s Disability Community Liaison, Patrick will play a central role in supporting communication, coordination, and strategic engagement with disability communities across our global network. He will help ensure that the voices, perspectives, and expertise of people with disabilities are represented across IFAPA’s initiatives, from research dissemination to educational programming and policy advocacy. His experience in both the sport governance and disability sectors brings a unique perspective that will enrich IFAPA’s efforts to expand inclusive opportunities in adapted sport and physical education.
We look forward to collaborating with Patrick as he contributes his leadership, international experience, and passion for inclusion to IFAPA’s work. His appointment reflects our ongoing commitment to strengthening meaningful partnerships and ensuring that disability representation remains central to our organizational development. Please join us in welcoming Patrick to this role and in celebrating the shared vision that will guide our work forward.
