Provost's Welcome

I am proud to welcome, once again, the players, officials, friends and families from the 32 teams competing in this, the 36^th Perth Masters Tournament, at Dewar’s Rinks, which is sponsored this year for the first time by Mercure Hotels. 

It gives me particular pleasure to greet the 15 teams that have come here from overseas:

Four teams from Canada

Three teams from Switzerland

Two teams from Norway,

And one team each from the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Russia and Sweden.

With 16 teams from Scotlandthis makes 32 in all – a full house.

The Perth Masters tournament is always the first sporting event of the calendar, and with its large contingent of overseas players and supporters, it gives Perth a great international start to the year. For some years now Perth has been developing events that attract international competitors. Curling is perhaps the most important, but they also include golf, motor sport, orienteering, cycling, horse trials, canoeing, and a Terrex race.

These international competitions are very important, not only because of their economic effect on the local community, but because they greatly enhance the international profile of Perth, and contribute to Perth’s development as a dynamic modern European city.

And so, may I wish all the competitors success over the weekend, and I hope that you all have an enjoyable time here in the Fair City.

Dr John Hulbert
Provost of Perth & Kinross