It is a tradition of big curling events to encourage school parties to come and experience some of the atmosphere. The World Junior Curling Championship at Perth has done just that. It's a great idea - there are usually plenty of seats available at the morning and afternoon draws.
Who knows, the experience of seeing some of the world's best curlers might be the stimulus for a future Eve Muirhead or David Murdoch....
This group was certainly providing some 'atmosphere' this morning.
Good to see some of the players taking time to sign autographs for the kids. Here are the US teams.
And the Japanese women.
The Perth organisers had done more. Local Area Curling Development Officer Claire Milne had set up a competition for local schools to make a banner to support 'their' team. The winner of that competition was declared this morning, David Hay making the announcement.
WCF President Kate Caithness had chosen the winner and presented a very special signed brush to a representative of the winning school, LuLu McLaren, of Kinnoull Primary School.
And here is Kinnoull's winning banner in support of the USA teams.
Some of the pupils with 'their' teams! (Click the pic to see larger size.)
Here are all the schoolkids who were here this morning with the Scottish girls! (Click the pic to see it larger.)Photos © Skip Cottage
