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Archive for July, 2010

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Kainey speaks about the Kainey Cup

Posted by Vietnam Swans on July 11, 2010

Saigon Prez, Limbrick takes a well earned drink last night from the Kainey Cup, as BOG McEwin looks on in horror.

Dave “Flyer” Kainey may not have been present at the Kainey Cup this year, but he did write this reflective note to all players and supporters:

To players and supporters:

Firstly, I am honored to have my name associated with two of Asia’s finest Australian Rules Football clubs and hope today’s game was a cracker, I know the game would have been played hard and fair, a trademark of both clubs. Please pass on my thanks to Matt Jolly and the touring Bintangs for their continued support of the Vietnam Swans and Asian Football in general. To Phil Johns and Tim Hakfoort and respective Committees, you should be proud for your tireless work in promoting Asian footy and your commitment to service in the community.

I tried hard to make it to the 4th edition of the Kainey Cup but due to commitments (on Krabi beach) I could not be there.

Through my association with both clubs I have developed lifelong friendships. To play alongside guys of the calibre of Hakfoort, Spur, Stevens, Heggarty, Metcalf and Jolly for the Bintangs and McEwen, Francis, Johnston, Williams, Limbrick and Johns for the Swans, to name a few, has been an honour.

I look forward to having a kick, a beer and a yarn later in the season.

David ‘The Flyer’ Kainey

More on Kainey Cup to follow.

Posted in BOG | 2 Comments »

Swannies regain Kainey Cup

Posted by Vietnam Swans on July 10, 2010

The Swannies regain the Kainey Cup

The Swannies have regained the Kainey Cup after booting 9.11. 65 to the Bintangs’ 8.9.57.

More to follow.

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Tomorrow: Swannies Vs Bintangs, SGN

Posted by Vietnam Swans on July 9, 2010

The Kainey Cup - tomorrow at 2.30pm, Saigon

Dear Swannies, Sponsors, Supporters & Spectators

Tomorrow, Saigon will host an Aussie Rules International Blockbuster of a Kainey Cup:

*** Vietnam Swans Vs Jakarta Bintangs ***

It’s at RMIT University and will start at 2.30pm sharp. Together with the support of Al Frescoes, Jim Beam, Fosters and La Vie Water, there will be plenty to eat and drink while watching the footy. Why not have a kick of the footy on the oval at half time with the kids? Just like back home.

After match function will be at Cafe Latin, Dong Du St, D1.

Tonight, at Cafe Latin, Swannies Coach, Josh Little presents On the Couch prior to the AFL telecast. Then, we welcome the Jakarta Bintangs at 9.30-10pm.

Everyone is welcome – to honk their horn when the Swannies boot a sausage roll (goal).

All good tonight and tomorrow.

With goose bumps, Go you Swannies!!

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Sydney Swans jumpers spotted in Cambodia

Posted by Vietnam Swans on July 8, 2010

Cambodian orphans in Phnom Penh wear the Sydney Swans jumpers that Nick Barker delivered

Earlier in the week, General Manager for the Sydney Swans, Tony Morwood, wrote to the Vietnam Swans suggesting that we may be interested in the photo, above, which had come from Cambodia. Tony wrote:

“I recently donated some old stock of Puma kids’ jumpers to a Cambodian Foundation. This came about through my association with Nick Barker (Australian singer/songwriter) who started up the successful band Nick Barker and the Reptiles.

“Nick is a Swans supporter and visits Cambodia regularly to support this program.”

Being such a great photo, and not knowing where things may end up, we then promptly forwarded it to Murray Heath, President of the Cambodian Cobras.

Murray, in turn, forwarded the photo to his Committee:

I believe this leaves us with an unexpected opportunity. We have talked about doing Auskick in the future.

Why don’t we get hold of some Auskick Footballs, bus these kids to the game at Northbridge (on 31 July when the Cobras will host the Vietnam Swans), give them the balls, some hotdogs etc and then bus them back to the orphanage after the game and an impromptu Auskick training session with some of the players at the conclusion of the game?

It would make for some good photos for the Sydney Swans websites as well as our own websites.

My mum is over before the game and already sponsors a Cambodian school on the Vietnamese border on behalf of the town of Wagga Wagga NSW. She is bringing 9 friends with her. I can easily get her to grab a dozen or more Auskick Balls…”

Beginning, middle and end of the day, it is all good.

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Kainey Cup, La Vie Water, Asian Champs… b-i-g.

Posted by Vietnam Swans on July 6, 2010

Nasho Prezo Fabbo delivers another monster update!

Dear Swannies, Sponsors and Supporters… It’s still mega:

  • The Kainey Cup 10 July, Saigon – Gus and Jerry’s farewell
  • Sponsorship news – La Vie Water to sponsor Swannies
  • 2010 & 2011 Asian Championships
  • More footy matches
  • Vietnam Swannies Reunion at MCG on 25 July
  • Friday night footy’s On in the ‘Gon with Josh
  • Facebook fires up
  • Closing thought

Dave "Flyer" Kainey holds his Cup after the Bintangs won it in Jakarta on 31 October, last year.The Kainey Cup, Saturday, 10 July, Saigon

Vietnam Swans Vs Jakarta Bintangs is back on in the ‘Gon. The Kainey Cup, as well as giving both Clubs the chance to doff our hats to Dave “Flyer” Kainey, is developing a great rivalry and friendship between the Swans and Bintangs.

For this Kainey Cup, we will farewell Gus McEwin, a former Captain who was there for our first match back in 2003 and holds the Club record for most number of games played. We also farewell Jerry who will follow Aussie Rules back home to and in the US before he and Linda take it to Algeria on their next posting.

Full details of the Kainey Cup’s weekend of festivities, at which all are warmly welcomed, can be found in the magnificent promo poster (or see post below) which was very graciously designed by Sandra McNair back in NZ. If you need some graphic design work, email Sandra now.

La Vie Water to sponsor Swannies

Sponsorship News – La Vie Water to sponsor Swannies

La Vie Water, owned by Nestle, has just confirmed that it will be the Swannies’ Official National Supplier of Water in Hanoi and Saigon at both events and training sessions. Given Vietnam’s heat and humidity can be stifling, all Swannies players are particularly and extremely grateful for La Vie’s very generous support.

La Vie now joins a very strong list of National Sponsors for the Swannies that includes our Signature Sponsor, Linfox; as well as Pestfree, Jim Beam, Commonwealth Bank, Odyssey Resources, Crown Relocations, SOS International and Corsair Marine International.

During the week, Odyssey Resources sent out the Odyssey – 2010 Year Update to its database that referred to its association with the Swannies. Corsair Marine has also run several similar stories on its Corsair Website. We are very pleased that these sponsors are able to find additional ways to leverage off their sponsorship.

In other sponsorship news, Jetstar has decided that it would not renew its sponsorship from 1 July 2010. The Vietnam Swans would like to thank Jetstar for their previous sponsorship. It was greatly appreciated and has contributed to the growth of our Club.

2010 & 2011 Asian Championships

The 2010 Asian Championships will be held in Shanghai on 16 October during World Expo. The AFL will hold an exhibition match the day after the Champs between Melbourne and Brisbane. AFL Supremo, Andrew Demetriou, shall meet with each of the Asian footy clubs while he is there. It will be a mega weekend.

The Swannies will go into this tournament with much to prove and this is the year that we will make our mark on the field. To maximise our chances, we need to ensure that all our players can get there. It’s not going to be easy because of the financial cost and time required off work. For the first time, the Club will be looking to offer our players some modest financial support. Until this tour, our players have paid 100 per cent of their personal costs (hotels, airfares etc).

The 2010 Champs will be a difficult tour but the cost of not sending a strong team is too great. If we’re not at the Asian Champs, we’re not really playing Asian footy. So, we have a few fundraisers coming…

Meanwhile, a number of the Asian footy clubs have nominated Vietnam to host the 2011 Asian Champs. With up to 12 countries playing, it would be a massive event. But, to host the Champs, we would need two footy ovals side by side to get through all the matches in a single day. We’re looking.

Obvious timing for the event would be Saturday, 20 August 2011. That would allow people (players, veterans, officials, etc) to attend the service at Long Tan for Vietnam Veterans Day two days earlier on 18 August and to then attend the Champs.

The Cambodian Cobras Vs the Swannies

More footy matches

On 31 July, the Cambodian Cobras, sporting brand new Adelaide jumpers with a cobra, will take on the Vietnam Swans in Phnom Penh. The Cobras, this time, are speaking enthusiastically about becoming a regular on the Asian circuit. The Swannies will therefore be particularly pleased to travel there to help generate the interest and motivation as they start up.

Heritage Round, Hanoi, 28 August 2010. After the one-point nail biter in Vung Tau for the ANZAC Friendship Match, will the Hanoi Hawks be able to withstand the fiercely determined Saigon Saints?? Oooh, I wouldn’t wanna miss that match! Should be a cracker.

Vietnam Swans reunion at MCG on Sunday 25 July

So far, we have 14 confirmed ex Swannies who will attend the reunion in the MCC Members of the MCG for the Melbourne Vs Sydney match. If you would like to come, please confirm with Phil Johns.

Josh "Pudding" Little. Who wouldn't want to get on the couch with this Swannie?

Friday Night Footy’s On in the ‘Gon with Josh

This Friday night, prior to the arrival of the Jakarta Bintangs and the Port-Collingwood telecast, Josh Little will resurrect “On the couch” upstairs at Cafe Latin. It will be sponsored by Jim Beam. On the Couch will happen each week continuing right up to the AFL Grand Final. It will play an important role for the Club providing a focus for the players, officials and partners to meet up on Friday nights. And, maybe even do some fundraising for the 2010 Asian Champs!

The whisper is that Hanoi will do something similar again. On the couch was the precursor to the Swannies getting started in Hanoi in 2003.

Facebook fires up

We’ve tried it before and we are going back to it. Facebook. Every story going on the Swannies website will now be linked on Facebook so if you’re a “friend” of the “Vietnam Swans”, you’ll be notified automatically whenever there is new Swannies news. But don’t worry; we’re not going to tweet you. The tweets are far too short.

Closing thought

I did have something profound to write – but I lost it. Some Vietnamese bloke outside on a motorbike is honkin’ his horn.

He probably loves the footy in Asia. Like we all do.

Posted in Farewell, Fundraiser | 2 Comments »

The Kainey Cup poster unveiled!

Posted by Vietnam Swans on July 5, 2010

The Kainey Cup poster is unveiled

Today, the Kainey Cup poster for the Vietnam Swans Vs Jakarta Bintangs clash on Saturday, 10 July 2010, was unveiled. The poster was very graciously designed by Ms Sandra McNair who runs a graphic design business in New Zealand.

If you need graphic design work done, please contact Sandra by clicking here.

Thank you very much Sandra for a magnificent poster.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

The Saigon Prez’s update

Posted by Vietnam Swans on July 2, 2010

Josh Little believes this is photographic evidence that the National President was originally a "ranga"

Saigon President, Derrin Limbrick, gives us the weekly update.

Gents, after the controversy surrounding the Vietnam Swans Rumor Mill’s claims that our National President (aka the Silver Fox) is in fact a ranga in disguise, I have decided to give the rumors a rest and instead focus on gearing everyone up for the Jakarta Clash on the 10th July.  So, now is the time to get fired up lads.  I need everyone who is available to get down to training this weekend so that we can have a good hit out, which will be our last  before the match.  If you’re intending to play, please make sure you’re there.  This is our first home game in HCMC this year so lets make it count and get a win against Jakarta.

Now, for those of you who are keen to watch the big match tonight between the Hawks and the Bulldogs, Josh and Fabbo will be hosting the game at Cafe Latin and plan on introducing some extra curricular fun thanks to our friends at Jim Beam.  So if you’re looking for somewhere to watch the match, or if you’re just looking for some cheap laughs, get along to Latin at around 7.30 pm tonight!

Now, for something a little bit left field, we will be following with tradition and giving everyone the weekend off training after the Jakarta match.  So instead I am proposing that we look at a possible afternoon at the par 3 course in D7.  If someone is keen to put their hand up and sort this out that would be awesome so if this is your thing let me know.  I am sure that it would provide a suitable amount of laughs for the hackers out there, myself included.

Bintangs Tour “Kainey Cup”

Team spots are up for grabs so make sure you get to training guys.  The weekend is taking shape and looks like it will be a great time had for all.

At this stage the plans for the weekend will revolve around Friday night footy and a beer with the Bintangs at Cafe Latin.  Remember to make sure you purchase plenty of beers (and tequila) for our guests on Friday.  It all helps on the Saturday.

Then on Saturday the match will kick off at 2 30 pm at RMIT.  We will have food and drinks available at the ground and encourage families and friends to get along.  On that note, I am also looking for a team of volunteers who will not be playing to assist with jobs such as goal and boundary umpire, scorer, manning the beer tent etc.  Day’s like this do not run without volunteers so if you keen to help out let me know.

After the game we will then move on to Cafe Latin for the after match function, followed by Gus and Shagger’s tour of Saigon’s after 2 pm venues.

For those that were not here last year, we have a trophy that we play for called the “Kainey Cup”.  Named after Vietnam Swan and Jakarta Bintangs legend Dave Kainey, aka The Flyer, who you would have seen running around for the Hawks in Vung Tau or posing as the white maggot in the second half.  Last year the Bintangs won the trophy in Jakarta so this is our chance to win it back.

Cambodia

Ok, it looks like the dates for the Cambodian Road Trip have been finalized for the weekend of the 31st July.  We did this last season and it has widely been regarded as one of the best tours ever.  So this is not one to miss.  Make sure you keep the weekend free and I will be in touch with more details as soon as possible.  We are also expecting them to return the favor and tour HCMC on the 14th August.  All good.

Heritage Round 2

With the memories of the 1 point loss to the Hanoi Hawks still firmly in mind, our chance for redemption is at hand.  The return leg of Heritage Matches will be in Hanoi on the 28th August and I hope that we can get a good team together and bring the trophy home with us.

Grand Final Committee

It looks like Matty T is putting together a crack team for the Grand Final Committee this year so if you want to be involved, let myself or Matt know.  We are also looking for potential sponsors and for footy memorabilia that the Club can auction.  So speak to your sources and get it sorted out.  Now is the time gents.   I know you love this club so now is the time to show everyone.

Posted in Legend | 1 Comment »

Will Vietnam host the 2011 Asian Champs?

Posted by Vietnam Swans on July 1, 2010

The race for the 2011 Asian Champs has unofficially begun. Will it end at the Saigon Race Track?

As the 12 Asian countries competing in the 2010 Asian Champs in Shanghai, busily scramble for flights and hotel beds, the Jakarta Bintangs have asked the question, “What about 2011?”

Tim Hakfoort, President of the Jakarta Bintangs and Old Man of Asian Football says:

May I suggest Vietnam (if they want it) they have played in the last three Champs and if they have the grounds to do it, I think it would be a great place to hold the 2011 Champs. Willing to hear from others for alternate venues.

Hong Kong and Bali also said that Vietnam could be a good choice. The Singapore Wombats and China Reds have offered to share their experience of hosting the Champs.

But can the Swannies host the Asian Champs? We need a venue that would enable us to play two games, simultaneously, side by side. That rules out our standard venues of RMIT in Saigon and UNIS in Hanoi.

One idea that has been thrown out there would be inside Saigon’s horse racing track… Possibly, we could play in that space – while the horses are running on the Saturday arvo…

How about a punt on the nags during the 2011 Asian Champs?? Oooohh… Ya have to luv Asian Footy!

It would be a long shot. Obviously, we need to look at it closely and try and find some other potential options. If we could just find a venue, we could have a seriously awwwesome 2011 Asian Champs.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

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