What should we name the medal for the best and most courageous player in the ANZAC Friendship Match? Email vietnamswans@gmail.com with your suggestion.

National President, Phil Johns, says there’s just 4 weeks to go before the ANZAC Friendship Match. And there’s lots more going on as well.

Dear Swannies, Sponsors and Supporters

• 4 Weeks from yesterday – the 3^rd Annual ANZAC Friendship Match, 21 April, Vung Tau
• Help!! Naming of Medal at ANZAC Friendship Match
• Next Weekend: Local Derby, Hanoi
• Last Weekend – Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day raises $8,200
• Last Weekend – Big crowd at Combined Irish/Aussie Rules football match, Saigon
• A few days earlier – Battle of the Codes in Hanoi raised $1,000
• Farewell to Cathie Meinrath’s father.
• 2012 Indochina Cup confirmed for Hanoi
• Final Thought

4 Weeks from yesterday – the 3^rd Annual ANZAC Friendship Match, 21 April, Vung Tau

The countdown clock is on for the Swannies’ single biggest day of the year: the Annual ANZAC Friendship Match in Vung Tau which will be held on Saturday, 21 April.

Four weeks today, we will be at the Vung Tau Dog Track to play the China Reds in front of a crowd of up to 1,000 people, including veterans – some of whom played on the same oval during the war.

This is the event that will give all who participate a lifetime memory.

In a cluttered world, that is a big statement to make. But this is the 2012 ANZAC Friendship Match, Vung Tau, Vietnam.

Promotional posters will appear everywhere during the coming week. Bookings ($40) for the after match dinner on the rooftop of the Worldwide Arms Museum in Vung Tau can now be made. If you would like to be a volunteer during the day, please advise! Latest information will be published at www.vietnamswans.com/anzac-2012/

Help!! Naming of Medal at ANZAC Friendship Match

We currently present an unnamed medal to the best and most courageous player on the day. We need a name for that medal which will stand the test of time. It needs to resonate with a wide audience and not exclude any parties. The platform of the ANZAC Friendship Match is too important to offer something that is only “vanilla” and neutral. The medal needs to be strong and stand for something. It needs to lead. The prestige of this annual medal will continue to grow as the years pass by.

If you have any suggestions, I would very gratefully receive them. Please email me!

Next Weekend: Local Derby, Hanoi

Next weekend, a number of players from Saigon will travel to Hanoi for a local derby in the lead up to the ANZAC Friendship Match. Multiple cities; one Club.

Last Weekend – Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day raises $8,200

Last weekend, the 2^nd Annual Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day was held at Montgomeire Links, Danang. Compared with last year, the number of golfers doubled to 110 which was a great result. The increase in numbers was due to a reduction in the registration fee and the increased exposure. Unfortunately, not as many people attended the dinner in the evening which is when the raffle and auction were held. Nevertheless, despite the reduced registration fees and numbers at the auction, a fantastic USD8,200 was raised to support the great work being done by Swim Vietnam and Swim Safe (Royal Life Saving Society of Australia) Danang. That money raised will translate into lives saved in the water which is extremely gratifying.

During the week, Montgomerie Link’s General Director, Jon Tomlinson, confirmed that next year, the 3^rd Annual Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day will be held on 23 March 2013.

Promisingly, a number of schools in Danang, Saigon and Hanoi have pledged to run swimming programs in the same week as Swing to Swim so that we continue to raise awareness during a “Water Safety Week”.

Thank you to all our very generous sponsors who supported this year’s Swing to Swim as well as the people who played in the tournament and joined the dinner. Bring on next year!

Last Weekend – Big crowd at Combined Irish/Aussie Rules football match, Saigon

Last weekend, there were 50 players and 200 spectators at RMIT in Saigon for a combined Aussie Rules/Irish football match. There were alternating quarters of each code. The teams were mixed to ensure a great contest.

It was a hugely successful day and in the process, $450 was raised for the Loreto Foundation.

A few days earlier – Battle of the Codes in Hanoi raised $1,000

The winning Skowronski's Sausages team.

On 15 March, the sporting codes in Hanoi, including the Swannies, combined to host the 2^nd Annual Battle of the Codes Trivia night for charity. The show was won by Skowronski’s Sausages (btw, Skowronski is a Swannie).

During the evening, $1,000 was raised which will be split evenly between Swim Vietnam and Little Tigers Orphanage. A great result and well done by all.

Farewell to Cathie Meinrath’s father.

The Vietnam Swans were greatly saddened to learn of the sudden death of Cathie Meinrath’s father during the week. Our thoughts are with Cathie, her family and friends during this difficult time. Cathie, who now lives back in Australia, has been a great supporter of the Swannies while she was working for the Commonwealth Bank over here. Cathie often attended our matches (home and away) and generously volunteered at our various functions.

As a mark of respect, the Vietnam Swans shall also wear our black armbands at the ANZAC Friendship Match in memory of Cathie’s father.

2012 Indochina Cup confirmed for Hanoi

Confucius reflects on the Swannies.

A week ago, Hanoi President, Dan Hopkins confirmed that Hanoi had secured a venue next to the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi, to host this year’s Indochina Cup. So, it’s official. The Vietnam Swans will host the 2012 Indochina Cup in Hanoi on 17 November.

It is expected that the Vietnam Swans will host the Club’s Best and Fairest the following day on Sunday 18 November.

Final Thought

Confucius once say, “He who honk, love Swannie”.

Go you Swannies!

The Hanoi President, Dan Hopkins, last weekend in Hanoi.

Dan Hopkins, Hanoi President wraps up last weekend’s hugely successful Awards and Presentations night. The man who also won the award for Outstanding National Contribution also congratulates winners of other awards.

Hi all! Thanks to all who joined us last Saturday night at JASPAS for Hanoi’s 2011 Presentation Night.
The night was a huge success and fun was had by all. The night started off with some initial presentations
to sponsors and a run down of the charity work the Swans have managed to accomplish this year.
Then on to the good stuff with a match by match summery and overall votes for the games and tours.

Throughout the count there were some awards given including:

• Hanoi Clubman Award: Dave Diviny, for all his hard work throughout the year.
• Coach’s Award: Dan Lucardie for his work ethic and positive attitude anytime he hits the track.

Congratulations Boys!

Then we kicked on with the count going through the Asian Champs (semi-finalists) and Indochina Cup (winners).

After all the votes were counted, the winner of Hanoi’s Best and Fairest was pretty obvious.

Hanoi’s 2011 Best and Fairest -  Congratulations Dave ‘SOS’ Skowronski!

We also said farewell to Hao Stew and Dan K. These boys have been a massive part of the Swans this year and further back. The efforts that you guys put on the track and off will not be forgotten. Thanks from all Swannies for all your contributions.

We do have one more upcoming event before Christmas.

The Big Kids Aussie Xmas Bash 16th Dec @ American Club 5.00pm. (Auscham, Koto, Swans and Dragons). Lets get out there for a BBQ, a kick of the footy and some froffies to send off 2011 and enjoy a good Aussie style Christmas party!

Last year, Stanno took out Hanoi's BnF and Dan Kindness took out the Best Club Man, Who will take out these awards tomorrow night in Hanoi?

Hanoi President, Dan Hopkins, congratulates Skipper Dukes for taking out the Swannies’ Best and Fairest. He also provides full details of Hanoi’s awards and presentations to be held tomorrow, 10 December 2011.

Hi all,

Last week Luke ‘Dukes’ Creamer won the National Swannies’ Best and Fairest count. The Skipper who has taken the Swans up a gear in 2011 was a very well deserved winner. His Indochina Cup performance was a prime example of his skill and determination to attack the pill and lead from the front and take home our B2B ICC 2011.

From all in Hanoi, a big congratulations to Dukes for a great year, a very deserving winner.

Hanoi’s Awards and Presentations

It’s now time to acknowledge all of our Hanoi players from throughout the year.

With such a successful year from the Hanoi boys, let’s all get down to Jaspas on Saturday to
acknowledge our players and supporters. Also to farewell some very special players who
have given so much to this Club on field and off.

Where and when

Jaspas Hanoi Towers
Saturday, 10th December
6pm onwards.

The Club will put on some beers and finger food for the first hour or two. We will have a B&F count
as well as some other awards and a slide show of 2011.

See you all tomorrow night!

Entry is open to all but please RSVP to the Hanoi President, Dan Hopkins if you would like to attend.

In 2010, Skipper Dukesy took out the Swannies' Best and Fairest. Can he go back to back like the Swannies at the ICC? Or was Heater too hot? Or the Saigon Prez, Dez in his farewell year? We'll find out on Saturday!

The Vietnam Swans are pleased to confirm details for the 2011 Annual Awards, Presentations and Christmas Party in Saigon (Hanoi – see details below for 10 December). They will be held on Saturday, 3 December at the Boomarang Bistro, District 7 from 2pm – 6pm.

The schedule for the afternoon is:

• 2.00 pm – People start to arrive
• 2 30 – 2 45 pm – Food is served
• 3 30 pm – Santa makes an appearance for the kids
• 4.00 pm – Thank you to sponsors and partners
• 4 30 pm – Vietnam Swans’ Awards and Presentations commence
• 5 30 pm – Awards and Presentations finish along with all formalities

With respect to the Vietnam Swans awards, the highlight will be the vote count for the Best and Fairest player. For each of our seven matches/tournament days (13 matches in total), we will display two powerpoint slides with photos. We will then have a different nominated player come up to the front of the room and in 60 seconds, highlight what was memorable or significant for them about that particular event. It may be something on field; or it might be something off field. Then, the votes for that particular round will be revealed on a single powerpoint slide and then we’ll move on to the next round.

Last year, it worked particularly well and skipped along at a good pace. And the way the Swannies have been travelling, this year will be even better.

Price is  VND200,000 ($10) for food and drinks from 2pm-6pm. To assist with catering, please confirm your attendance by emailing the Club President, Derrin Limbrick.

As you can see by the presence of Santa in the official proceedings, families with children are also encouraged to attend.

Coming up:

• 4 December, Auscham Christmas Party supported by the Swannies, Boomarang Bistro, Saigon
• 10 December, B&F and Swannies Christmas Party, JASPAS, Hanoi
• 17 December, Auscham Christmas Party supported by the Swannies, Hanoi (tbc)

36 people attended yesterday's training session in Saigon - the last for 2011.

Yesterday the Swannies in Saigon held a scratch match for our last Saturday training session 2011. We had 36 players turn up which was the highest number ever at a training session in Saigon.

Wednesday there will be an evening session at Parklands in D2 and next Saturday, it’s the big one: the 2011 Indochina Cup in Vientiane, Lao. And that’s it for 2011 as far as the on field stuff is concerned (but there’s still Christmas parties, best and fairests, golf and cricket events coming the Swannies’ way).

We also farewelled Brett Findlay who will set off for Japan later this week. Albert announced that he will leave Vietnam at the end of the year. Thankfully, he brought along a replacement, Phil the German (as opposed to the other half dozen Phils we have running around the Club in Hanoi and Saigon).

Brett, Albert, departing Prez Dez and Saigon Prez elect, Sammy were required to skull a can each. Dez managed to win that one.

Gus the G Train happened to be back in Saigon so he came along for the scratch match.

Finally, Dan Kindness has just confirmed that the Indochina Cup in Lao, as with Dez, will be his farewell tour. Dan has been a key asset for the Swannies in Hanoi and has played a critical role in establishing the ANZAC Friendship Match tradition.