1994 Goodwill Games (St Petersburg Russia)
1994 was declared by the United Nations as 'International Family Year' and as part of its response Russia held an International Sports Festival called the 'Goodwill Games'.

18 different kinds of sports were competed with disabled sports men and women from all over the world invited to attend and from Great Britain only two competitors were selected -Tracy Harper and Victoria Perez, both members of the Cheshire Academy.

The disability games began at the conclusion of the mainstream goodwill games and both athletes were invited to fly out a few days early and attend the closing ceremony of the Mainstream games. They were also treated to tea with the British consulate.

14 year old Tracy Harper who has cerebral palsy participated at a number of sports and collected a gold for her 100 metres but she also collected certificates for her swimming.

Disabilities gymnast Victoria Perez (age 16) had already established herself as a formidable gymnast in the UK and was able to demonstrate her considerable gymnastics skills before an international audience. Although Russia was recognised as one of the top countries for providing Olympic Gymnastics champions they had little experience with disability gymnastics and the routines and skills demonstrated by Vicky made quite an impact.

Vicky participated at a number of demonstration sports such as archery, swimming and running, and during the medal ceremony Vicky was asked to give a special demonstration of her gymnastics talents. Vicky but made such an impression at these games that she chosen as 'best female athlete of the games' and presented with a special gold medal.

Accompanying Vicky was Cheshire Academy director Jane Whetnall and as part of the invitation to these games Jane and Vicky were invited to a special tour of disability facilities within St Petersburg.

I
Vicky Perez (holding crossbow ) and Tracy Harper far right
t was established that disability provision and organisation within St Petersburg was very primitive however the authorities were very keen for this to change and were desperate for new ideas.

Jane and Vicky were able to meet many disabled parents and their children and to attend a number of special disability workshops. With her knowledge of disability sport and of working with very young children with disabilities, Jane was able to project an image of what potential was possible for disabled children and to give an outline of the sort of programmes which could be developed.

The authorities were so impressed with the ideas suggested at the workshops that Jane was offered a long term contract to develop disability sport within the whole of the region. Although the idea that a british coach was invited to help develop disability gymnastics in a country renouned for its gymnastics talent was appealing Jane declined the invitation and returned to the Cheshire Academy to continue with development of its own disability programmes.