Vietnam Swans

The Swannies win a tough game against Cambodia

The Swannies managed to pull off a tough victory against a determined Cambodian team.

The final score was Vietnam 7.9. 51 to the Cambodian Cobras 4.9. 33.

The Swannies voted Matt Townsend as the winner of the Rick Trewavas Medal.

Field umpire, Richard Beecher was presented with an award for outstanding umpiring services.

Miss Vietnam, Mai Phuong Thuy, at the coin toss

Miss Vietnam 2006, Mai Phuong Thuy, added some glamour at the start of the match by tossing the coin and having her photograph taken with both Clubs. A gesture that was extremely appreciated by all in attendance. (For the record, Damo, filling in for Skipper Dukes won the toss).

Tonight the respective teams will pick BOG’s for the other team at Cafe Latin.

The day was tinged with sadness as one of the Swannies, Matt Natalotto has just returned to Australia after hearing news about his mother. As a mark of respect, the Vietnam Swans proudly wore black armbands for Matt’s mum.

For first photos, courtesy of Dave Hadley and Asian Images, click onto the Vietnam Swans Web Album.

Additional photos can be seen on the Asian Images website.

More to follow.

Will Miss Vietnam 2006, Mai Phuong Thuy, toss the coin at the start of tomorrow's match?

Miss Mai Phuong Thuy was Miss Vietnam back on 26 August 2006.

That’s a fact.

Meanwhile, a rumour is currently circulating that she will appear at RMIT University tomorrow afternoon just prior to the big clash between the Vietnam Swans and the Cambodian Cobras.

This isn’t a fact; just a rumour. The rumour is that she will toss the coin prior to the match.

By tomorrow evening, we will be able to confirm whether it was just a rumour – or a fact!

The Cambodian Cobras arrive in Saigon tonight for tomorrow's rematch against the Swannies

The Saigon Prez, Dez, delivers the weekly update including the big one against the Cambodian Cobras tomorrow.

Vietnam Swans vs Cambodia

RMIT will be buzzing again tomorrow afternoon as the Vietnam Swans take on the touring Cambodian Cobras.  The match is going to kick off at 2 30pm and we will have a BBQ and drinks at the ground from 2pm onwards.  There is plenty of green grass for the kids to run around on, so, make sure you bring your friends, family and colleagues down for a fun afternoon of footy.

For those of you who are intending on playing but still have not got back to me, make sure you do today at this address so I can add you to the team list.

The Swannies BOG shall win the Rick Trewavis Medal.

But, tonight we will have a huge Friday night on the couch with Josh at Cafe Latin (25 Dong Du Street, D1, HCMC).  Latin will be showing the big AFL Final between the Cats and the Saints LIVE from 4.30pm.  As usual there will be happy hour beer prices, plus the Cobras should be arriving around 6 pm to join us.  So make sure you get down to Latin tonight for the footy and a beer with the Cobras.

After the game on Saturday we will be staying at the ground for a beer or two and then it will be off to the Cafe Latin for the after match function.  We will have a set price buffet available (lots of food this time comprising hamburgers and sausages). And, eventually off into the night for those who are still kicking on.

This is going to be another HUGE weekend for the Swans in HCMC!

Vietnam Swans 2010 AFL Grand Final Party, Saigon

Grand Final Tickets are now on sale!  You can pick them up for VND 650,000.00 adult / VND 350,000.00 child / Under  5 years free, at the match tomorrow or Latin tonight.  Plus, we have several venues that you can drop in a grab them anytime during the week.  Check out the poster for more details on the Saigon and Hanoi Grand Final Parties.

This year it is going to be bigger and better than ever  before.  We will be hosting the GF Party at La Cantine – On the 6, 6 Dong Khoi St, D1.

Importantly, the footy will be telecast on three projector screen and a flat screen so you can see the match wherever you are.

All that needs to happen now is for everyone to sell some tickets.  So get your friends, family work colleagues, organized and pick up some tickets!  Let’s make this day huge, and one to remember.

Asian Champs

I know that some of you have been in touch with me to confirm your attendance to this year’s Asian Champs, however Matt has put together an online survey that he wants everyone to fill in.

Just to remind everyone that we have been able to source a group flight from HCMC to Shanghai for around USD 350 return.

Vietnam Swans Vs Tarrawingee

Also don’t forget about the match against the visiting Australian Team on the 19th Sept!

AusKick, Saigon

Is not on this weekend but will resume again the following week.

The Vietnam Triathlon is back on - saving kids' lives

Dear Volunteer!

In its 4th year running, the Vietnam International Triathlon is back, on the 11th of September in Hoi An. This year, the organizer, Tribob is offering a 40 per cent discount on race fees for any volunteers in Vietnam. Tribob has also committed 50 per cent of your participation fee to the Tribob Hoi An Children’s Swimming Program (further information below).

The race will kick off on the palm-fringed sands of stunning Cua Dai Beach then wind its way through tropical hinterland which is home to many of the country’s major historical treasures.

Designed as a unique destination event, this action-packed weekend caters for all ages and all levels of triathlon experience and features the following races:

• • Olympic Distance Triathlon: 1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run
  • Sprint Duathlon: 3.5km run, 10km bike
  • Kids Aquathlon: 200m swim, 1.5km run
  • Heritage Ride: 60km or 120km ride

You can race individually or as a team!

For your discount code and more information about how to register please email nadine@hoianevents.com or phone 0915 324 614.

Tribob Hoi An Children’s Swimming Program

The Singapore-based Vietnam Triathlon organizer, Tribob, initiated the Children’s Swim Program to give Vietnamese kids basic swimming skills and other water safety skills, as part of a long-term goal to raise the standards of swimming and water safety in Vietnam. Water safety awareness is a serious problem in Vietnam. Based on UNICEF’s data, an average of 10 Vietnamese children die every day from drowning, which is the biggest cause of accidental death among kids in Vietnam.

The Vietnam Swans are a supporter of the Tribob Swimming Program in Hoi An. At our ANZAC Friendship Match in Vung Tau earlier this year, we raised over USD1,000 for the program. Jo Stewart, the Program Manager of Tribob, has advised that some of the children from the Program will compete in the Triathlon and will wear shirts with the Swannies’ logo on them.

Every year to conclude the swim course, 30 – 40 of the most swim-adept kids are selected to take part in the Kids’ Aquathlon that is part of the Vietnam International Triathlon.

The Tribob Hoi An Children’s Swimming Program now in its 3rd year has received a very enthusiastic response from the kids, the schools and the parents, and has equipped more than 1000 kids with water safety skills that are likely to save some lives.

For more on the Tribob Hoi An Swimming Program, click here.

Aiden played another great game for Hanoi

The first photos of Heritage Round have emerged.

To see the half dozen photos that have come through, click onto the Vietnam Swans Web Album.

Yesterday, an article appeared in the Saigon Times, titled, Aussie Expats gear for footy championship in China. It also includes a short report of the Heritage Round match.

To see other articles that have been written about the Vietnam Swans, click here.

Victory again to Hanoi

The match was nearly cancelled due to incessant rain. But just two hours before the scheduled start, we were given the all clear to proceed – albeit on a shortened oval at the UN International School, Hanoi.

Saigon turned up as clear favourites – and got belted.

The final score was Hanoi 15.6. 96 to Saigon 6.9.45.

So, for the second time this year, the North has retained the trophy.

More to follow.

Hanoi's Phil Johns presents Saigon's Phil Crouch with a broken hammer n sickle trophy after the Sourtherners beat the Northerners 99 to 53 in Saigon on 21 April 2007.

National President Phil Johns gives us our Weekly Footy Feast.

Dear Swannies, Sponsors and Supporters

• Heritage Round Match, Hanoi, tomorrow
• Grand Final Parties
• Strategic Marine and Aussie Home Loans announced as sponsors
• Reflections from a Swans’ Dad
• The Countdown Clock
• Rumour File

Heritage Round Match, Hanoi, tomorrow

Tonight, the Southerners will fly to Hanoi for tomorrow’s big Heritage Round clash. Hanoi will be dressed in the Sydney Swans kit while Saigon will wear the Vietnam Swans strip.

Tomorrow will mark the long overdue return of football to the nation’s capital. The last time the Swannies played a match in Hanoi was on 8 August last year against the Lao Elephants.

The Hanoians are pumped to be hosting this match and have put together a cracking schedule for Saigon’s favourite sons. It all starts at JASPAS tonight in Hanoi Towers.

The match will be played tomorrow at the UN International School, Ciputra between midday and 2pm. We shall then move to JAFA Restaurant for the post match festivities and the telecast of the AFL matches.

During the week, the Sydney Swans generously donated two footy jumpers signed by their 2010 player list for our Grand Final Parties. MJ picked them up - and immediately lost one to his partner and the other to his mother-in-law! MJ, make sure you bring them to Vietnam!!

Grand Final Parties

Tickets are now on sale for our Grand Final Party in Saigon. They will be on sale shortly in Hanoi.

• Hanoi – will be held at Jaspas, Level 4, Hanoi Towers, 49 Hai Ba Trung Street. Tickets are USD40 or USD35 with a Swannies discount.

• Saigon – will be held at La Cantine On the 6, 6 Dong Khoi Street and will cost USD35 for pre purchased tickets. Tickets are on sale now!

Click here for full details.

Strategic Marine and Aussie Home Loans announced as Club Sponsors

As announced during the week, the Vietnam Swans are delighted to welcome Strategic Marine and Aussie Home Loans, specifically Aussie’s Broker, Mark Greenshields as sponsors.

Their generous support is greatly appreciated. Click here for full news of the announcement.

Reflections from a Swans’ Dad

A fortnight ago, Josh’s Dad, David, dropped into Saigon for a weekend. David came along to Friday night football, came out to training on the weekend and immediately fitted right into the Club. After returning to Australia, he sent an email to Josh reflecting upon his time in Saigon.

Among other things, David writes:

I travelled to Vietnam wanting to make a statement of support for my son. I admire his courage and stickability at having a go in another country away from his conventional support structure.

I always knew he loved footy (how many assignments can you do at school on the Essendon Footy Club?), but I was not aware of the degree of importance the Vietnam Swans has played in his sanity and happiness in Vietnam. I am aware now.

To read the rest of his email, click here.

David, thanks for wanting to be a part of this Club and we are extremely pleased to have you as a member! We look forward to seeing you next – probably in Melbourne at the Vietnam Swans Golf Day and/or Cricket Day in December.

The Countdown Clock

• Vietnam Swans AFL Grand Final Parties (25 Sept) – 4 weeks.
• The Asian Championships, Shanghai (16 Oct) – 7 weeks.

For all other Swannies events, click here.

The Vietnamese Government may rename the Gulf of Tonkin, for this weekend only, to the Gulf of Honkin'.

The Rumour File

As previously noted, it is just over a year since the last footy match was played in Hanoi.

The Vietnamese Government is rumoured to be so pleased that footy is returning to the Nation’s Capital that it has convened a Working Group to recommend what can be done to celebrate this auspicious occasion.

Apparently, top of the list of suggestions is a bold proposal to rename, for this weekend only, the Gulf of Tonkin. The rumour says it will be renamed the Gulf of Honkin’.

If true, this will certainly be no silent tribute to Aussie Rules!

Honk! Honk! Giddy up!

Shannon, Mick, David and Josh at training a fortnight ago

Two weekends ago, David Little visited the Swannies. David is the father of Josh, who is the coach in Saigon. After returning to Australia, David wrote to Josh and reflected on his weekend with Josh and the Swannies.

Josh, thanks for the great time in Vietnam. The following comments are for you and your colleagues, I would like you to pass them on to the team.

I travelled to Vietnam wanting to make a statement of support for my son. I admire his courage and stickability at having a go in another country away from his conventional support structure.

I always knew he loved footy (how many assignments can you do at school on the Essendon Footy Club?), but I was not aware of the degree of importance the Vietnam Swans has played in his sanity and happiness in Vietnam. I am aware now.

It was an honour and a joy to meet the guys that make up the club. I loved the diverse personalities from a heavy metal, Filipino rock band support act of Tim to the passion of ‘Fabbo’ Phil with his undying energy to find ways to promote his club.

Josh has fitted into this group like a ‘hand into Matthew Lloyd’s glove’.

In particular I was rapt at how you embraced the dads. I know Michael (Shannon’s father), like me, felt a part of the group from Day 1.

It took me a good week to get over the training, but no injuries, so all is good!

Good luck with all the big challenges ahead, including the Vietnam Swans 2010 AFL Grand Final Party.

I am proud to be a paid up member of this Club.

David, Josh’s dad.

National President, Phil Johns announces the signing of two new Club Sponsors.

Dear Swannies, Sponsors and Supporters

It is my great privilege to announce two new Club Sponsors for the Vietnam Swans:

• Strategic Marine; and
• Aussie Home Loans or, more specifically, Mark Greenshields who is a broker for Aussie Home Loans.

Strategic Marine

Strategic Marine

Strategic Marine is an international ship building and engineering firm that specialises in both steel and aluminium construction. Strategic Marine operates in Vung Tau (home of the Vietnam Swans ANZAC Friendship Match), Australia, Singapore and Mexico.

Strategic Marine’s General Manager, Michael McCourt writes,

Strategic Marine is proud to be a sponsor of the Vietnam Swans. As an Australian-owned company with operations in Vung Tau, it’s great to support an organization so iconically Australian as an AFL team. We also respect the contribution that the Swans make to cultural ties between the two countries, and to local community causes.

Go the Swannies!

Mark Greenshields - Broker for Aussie Home Loans

Aussie Home Loans – Mark Greenshields

Aussie Home Loans‘ website encourages visitors to “Let an Aussie Mortgage Broker fight hard to get you a better deal, even if it is with your current lender”.

Mark Greenshields is a broker for Aussie and it is he, as an Aussie Home Loans broker, who is the Vietnam Swans new sponsor. Mark only spent five months in Vietnam before returning to Australia but, even in that short space of time, he made a big impact on the Vietnam Swans. It didn’t take long before Mark Greenshields was renamed Mark Goal for his ability to, well, mark the footy and boot a goal! Mark was very much the man committed to the team and played in every one of our home and away games in that five month period.

The Vietnam Swans saw first hand what a difference Mark made out on the field. We have no doubt that he will also be able to make a big difference in getting you a better deal on your home loan in Australia.

Mark Greenshields can be contacted at mark.greenshields@aussie.com.au

Summary

The Vietnam Swans are delighted to welcome both Strategic Marine and Mark Greenshields, an Aussie Home Loans Broker, as new sponsors.

We very much look forward to working with them over the next 12 months.

The Swannies 2010 Grand Final Party in Saigon is coming!

The artwork has been finalised for the Vietnam Swans 2010 AFL Grand Final Party in Saigon which will be held at La Cantine – On the 6 at 6 Dong Khoi Street, D1, HCMC.

The artwork has been sent to the printers. Tickets will be available to purchase by the end of this week for just 650,000VND (USD35).

To reserve your tickets, email vietnamswans@gmail.com now.

The poster features Club Legend, Gus McEwin who has played more games for the Swannies than anyone else. He started in our first ever match in 2003 and was running like a G Train until just last month when he relocated to Indonesia (having said that, he is expected to fly back to Saigon for our match against Cambodia on 4 September).

Speaking of Legends, another is Scotty Stacey. Scott was also there at the beginning in Hanoi and was instrumental in establishing the national Vietnam Swans team in 2007 and became the inaugural Saigon President of the Vietnam Swans. So why is this of any relevance to our Grand Final Party? Well, Scotty is going to fly in from Australia for the Big Event!

Meanwhile, Hanoi’s Grand Final Party will be held at Jaspas in Hanoi Towers, Hai Ba Trung Street. Final details will be confirmed in the next couple of days.

Riding On article. Click to enlarge.

Glenn Nolan, part of the Vung Tau Massive is also the Vice President of the Ulysses Club.

He has just forwarded the side article on Long Tan Cross ANZAC Day 2010 which has appeared in the August 2010 issue of Riding On magazine. Click on the article to enlarge it.

Half of the article refers to the ANZAC Friendship Match.

The article is all good – except there is one slight inaccuracy. It was actually Hanoi rather than Saigon who won the match! By a single point.

Click here for other articles that have appeared in the press about the Vietnam Swans.

Back of Car Sale. Saturday, 21 August 2010, Saigon. Be there!

Does your home need something extra? The Vietnam housewares Back of the Car sale may be just the ticket for you.

Vietnam Housewares export a vast amount of stuff to countries like Australia. Tomorrow, with the Vietnam Swans, they are having a clearance sale at the SNAP Cafe at 32 Tran Ngop Dien Street, D2 , Saigon.

It’s on from 8am – 4pm.

Auskick returns to Saigon on Sunday 22 August, 2010

Matt Natalotto, our Auskick Man, gives us the update on Auskick Saigon which returns this weekend:

Dear families, friends and footy lovers…

Auskick Saigon will be on again 8am, this Sunday at the AIS sports centre –Thao Dien.

The new season has seen large numbers of kids coming along and getting involved in the fun. This week will be HUGE as the first group of kids to complete three sessions will receive their Auskick packs which include your very own sports bag, footy, Auskick cap, drink bottle and heaps more!  Remember it only takes three sessions to earn yours so come along and get kitted up!

This week we will have all new drills and skills, fun competitions and another game where last week the blues beat the whites 5 goals to 3!

Mums and dads – Come 10 minutes early to warm up and have a kick with your kids before the session starts.

For further details, contact Matt Natalotto.