The first Vung Tau Boot Camp - 16 February 2008 when 6 turned up. Pictured from left: Joe Hrustinsky, Fabbo and Gus

The first Vung Tau Boot Camp was held in Vung Tau nearly four years ago to the day, on 16 February 2008. Six Swannies turned up top that event at the Dog Track: Gus McEwin, Drew Franklin, Matty Johns, Clint “Muzza” Murrell, Big Joe Hrustinsky (and Little Lek) and Phil Johns.

Tomorrow, we return to Vung Tau for an ANZAC Boot Camp being led by Matt Natalotto. Should be tougher than last time!

First session – 9.30am Saturday

Warm Up: (On beach [below shops] at front of Mary steps)

Stair Running – ‘Mary’ and ‘Jesus’!

• Start at Mary [Beach shops]
• Run up & down Mary
• Running to Jesus (6km) (finish for scaled down group)
• Run up / down Jesus.
• Finish in Jesus car park (finish full distance)

Second session – 4pm Saturday

Warm Up (meet at back beach near imperial hotel):

Beach Olympics (Competitive team event. Teams of 4 will compete for points)

• Beach flag races. (1st = 10 team points / 2nd = 5 points / 3rd = 3 points)
• 4 x 250m Beach sprint -relay race. (10 points / 5 points / 3 points)
• Ironman – Run 250m / Swim* 250m/ Run 250m (10 points / 5 points / 3 points)

Third session – 9am Sunday

Warm Up: (Back beach, Location TBA)

• Beep test
• Fun Swim session – Cool down

Fourth session – 11am Sunday

• Tommy’s Bar – presentations and fine session

Josh, who was at Binh Duong training last week.

Dave O’Shea is starting an AFL revolution in Binh Duong (40 minutes from centre of Saigon). Last week he had 10 people turn up to training. Tonight, even the Horn, Kevvie Hornblower, will be in attendance. Below is his email.

Dear Swannies

Training in Bin Duong will continue this Thursday. Last week we had a great session. About 10 Bin Duong Locals turned up and had a great time.

For those of you who have nothing to do all day, Kevin Hornblower will be playing golf across the road at Song Be Golf Course in the morning and then come across to training after the round. If anyone is interested in this, get in touch with Kevin.

For those coming from District 1, you just have to drive straight from Nguyen Thi Minh Khai. The road changes name, but you just keep going straight for about 30-40 minutes, then turn right at VSIP 1.

Also you can call me on 0120 378 4332 if you have any problems finding the ground.

The Hanoi Oi's who toured to Bangkok with the Swannies in May 2006.

The Netball Club in Hanoi, the Hanoi Oi’s, is back out on the court tonight. Sally has the details below.

G’day All,

We’re off to a great start with 10 players last week, thanks for showing up with such enthusiasm to get back into netty even in the drizzling rain!

More drills and skills on the court this week mixed in with a bit of a ‘scratch match’ tonight. Seeyou there at 6.30pm sharp or there might be extra running involved!

The men’s basketball team even commented how ‘motivated’ we were – awesome stuff!! Possible tournament in Bangkok in May…

Remember the 80K for court hire and please do forward this message to other netball enthusiasts and For further information, please email me at hanoinetball@gmail.com

See you tonight!

Sally

The 2012 Swannies' Supercoach and Footy Tipping comps are now open!

The 2012 AFL Season is getting very close – and that means you need to start thinking about excel spreadsheets and dartboards: spreadsheets for the Swannies’ Supercoach comp and dart boards for the Swannies’ Footy Tipping comp.

Swannies’ Supercoach

If you think you have too much time on your hands, this is the competition for you.

If you ‘re sick of listening to your mates talk about more trades more often than any broker on Wall Street in a bubbling economy, you’re not alone. But don’t worry. Now you can fight back. Thanks to Ross, we’re going to have a weekly Supercoach newsletter, jam packed with vital tips and analysis, that will help you smash anyone not on his mailing list. Ah McRae, you’ve done it again.

Supercoach Details

• Elite League – VND500,000 (AUD25)  and limited to first 18 people who sign up. Modest amount of prize money available. Immodest amount of bragging rights also available. Please pay the Swannies’ Treasurer, Rowan Luke. If outside of Vietnam, you can transfer money to Ross McRae‘s Australian bank account.
• Casual League – If more than 18 sign up for the Elite League, we will run a separate “Casual League”. No entrance fee – and, alas, no prize money.

To join Swannies’ Supercoach, you will need an invitation from Ross at rossmcraedesign@gmail.com

Footy Tipping Competition

Last year, we had multiple comps going on here. This year, we want everyone to be in the same competition. It’s at www.footytips.com.au/comps/Vietnam_Swans

• Entrance fee: VND250,000 ($13AUD)
• Payments may be made to Treasurer, Rowan Luke. Outside of Australia, we will advise separately.
• If you haven’t paid entrance fee by Round #2, you will be ineligible for any prize money.
• If you would like to be the “administrator-facilitator” of the footy tipping, please contact Fabbo.

Another big year in footy is starting…

Saigon Auskick resumes Saturday, 18 February 2012 at RMIT, D7.

Saigon Auskick is firing up for Season 2012! It starts on Saturday, 18 February 2012 at RMIT University, District 7, and we want you there with your kids! All are welcome.

The sessions will commence at 2pm – just 30 minutes before the Swannies – and last for an hour. For the second half of the Auskick session, when the Swannies are doing our warm up exercises, we’ll be able to share the oval.

All this is expected to be very good for football. The kids can see the old to very old to extremely old Swannies having a silky run around the ground. The Swannies might be able to recruit a few parents. The energy of the adults and the kids playing at a shared time should be very positive and lay the foundations for the further growth of both groups. Imagine a growing network of big Swannies and little Swannies…

It should be a mega hoot.

Meanwhile, back to the essential details for Saigon Auskick:

WHEN: Saturdays 14:00 – 15:00hrs. Sign up on 18 February!

WHERE: RMIT University – Phu My Hung , 702 Nguyen Van Linh, District 7

WHAT: A great way to get the kids out on a big field of grass and burn off some energy while learning the basics of Australian Rules Football, meet new friends, practise ball skills and have fun.

For the Dads: Want a bit of extra practice? Join in with the Vietnam Swans who train from 14:30-16:00hrs.

BRING: The family. A Hat. Footy Boots. Sunscreen. Water supplied.

2012 SCHEDULE: Feb – 18 & 25; Mar – 3, 17 & 24: Apr – 7 & 21: May– 5, 12 & 26: June – 2, 9 & 16. (Additional dates in the first half of the year may become available subject to RMIT’s calendar.)

Who heads up Auskick?: Michael Golden and Matt Natalotto

For more information:

• Please email saigonauskick@gmail.com
• The Vietnam Swans’ website now has a page dedicated to “Auskick”. See the tab at the top of this page or click onto www.vietnamswans.com/auskick/ There will be regular updates and photos for the kids on that page.

So now, regardless of whether you’re a “Biggie, Middlie or Smallie”, it’s all: Go you Swannies!!

Vietnam Veteran's newsletter reproduces story of the pipes playing at Long Tan Cross, from the Swannies' website.

The monthly newsletter of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia (VVAA), West Australian Branch is Contact!

On the back page of the February 2012 issue, is last month’s story of the bagpipes playing at the Long Tan Cross for the first time since 1969.

The story was first published on the Vietnam Swans’ website on 14 January 2012 and permission was immediately granted for the VVAA to reproduce it.

Dr Neil MacNeill of the VVAA writes that “the story of the pipers at the Long Tan Cross is eliciting a lot of interest among the Vets. Please thank the Vietnam Swans for their support, and good luck for your season.”

Interestingly, in the same issue of Contact! is an article of the passing of the Vietnam war photographer, Mike Coleridge, on 10 January, 2012.

Ian Affleck from the Australian War Memorial writes that Mike Coleridge will:

“Always be remembered for the photograph he took on 26 August 1967 of a group of soldiers of 5 Platoon, B Company, 7RAR, waiting for an Iroquois helicopter to land and take them back to Nui Dat at the end of Operation Ulmarra. This photograph has become an Australian icon of the Vietnam War and is graphically featured on the Vietnam National Memorial on ANZAC Parade in Canberra. But this is just one of 558 still photographs and 54 films taken in Vietnam by Mike Coleridge in the Australian War Memorial’s collection.”

Trav Fennell's father, Bob, can be seen half crouched, facing camera. The photogrpaher of this iconic photo, Mike Coleridge passed away last month. AWMEKN/67/0130/VN

One of the soldiers in that famous photo is Pte Bob Fennell (hunched over, facing camera). Bob is the father of long time Vietnam Swan, Travis Fennell.

The official description of the photograph from the Australian War Memorial reads:

“Members of 5 Platoon, B Company, 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR), just north of the village of Phuoc Hai, beside the road leading to Dat Do.

“United States Army Iroquois helicopters are landing to take them back to Nui Dat after completion of Operation Ulmarra, the cordon and search by 7RAR of the village of Phuoc Hai. Operation Ulmarra was part of Operation Atherton, conducted by 2RAR/NZ (Anzac) (The Anzac Battalion comprising 2nd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) and a component from the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment) and 7RAR.

“Left to right: Private (Pte) Peter Capp (kneeling); Pte Bob Fennell (crouching, facing camera); Corporal Bob Darcy (left of Fennell); Pte Neal Hasted (centre, front); Pte Ian Jury (centre, back, holding rifle); Pte Colin Barnett (front, right); Lance Corporal Stan Whitford (left of Barnett); the helicopter marshal at right is Pte John Raymond Gould, 7RAR.

“The United States Army Iroquois UH-1D helicopter is operated by 2 Platoon, 162nd Assault Helicopter Company, 11th Combat Aviation Battalion. (Having achieved almost the status of an icon, this image was chosen for, and is etched on, the Vietnam memorial on Anzac Parade, Canberra, ACT, dedicated in October 1992)”

A copy of the Contact! newsletter can be downloaded by clicking the link, Contact! VVAA WA February 2012.

The new and the old: new recruits. Left, Karen & Scott Turner (and Trav). Right, the Veteran Beam Brigade, Kris Harmston and Andy Wall.

Yesterday in Saigon, the Swannies kicked off our 2012 campaign. We had about 20 at training which was then followed up with a sensational meal deal at the Boomarang Bistro.

A number of wives and friends turned up which boosted our numbers to more than 30.

Among the people there was our new recruit, Scott Turner. He is a very good friend of sponsor and top bloke, Mark Greenshields. He has just arrived in Vietnam with Karen and their two children. Also there was Mr Andy Wall, original Jim Beam sponsor, with Kris Harmston.

Another drop-in was Chris O’Dempsey from Heart Reach Australia. Next Saturday 11 February, the Love Heart Concert will be held at the New World Hotel, to raise funds to support the work it does here in Vietnam. The Love Heart Concert starts at 6pm and costs VND1.5million.

Heart Reach Concert, 11 Feb, New World Hotel, Saigon

Unfortunately, most of the Swannies from Saigon won’t be able to go as we’ll be in Vung Tau for the ANZAC Boot Camp. Check for the latest information on the activities we’ll be doing next weekend at Matt Natalotto’s Saigon Sporting Life.

Swannie, Evo, was down in Vung Tau this weekend for his birthday. He says:

“One word for Vungers and (Club Sponsor) Tommy’s Sports Bar… ‘magic!’. Great to see (former Saigon Prez) Dez, Fleur, (Hanoi Prez) Crazy Dan et all on the walls too! (Tommy’s Bar has heaps of Swannie’s merchandise and photos on the walls). 

Can’t wait to be back down in Vungers again next week!”

It just keeps gettin’ bigger!

Dave O'Shea, front and left-of-centre, takes footy to the people of Binh Duong.

Last Thursday, Swannie Dave O’Shea, fired up training out in Binh Duong which is just 45 minutes from Saigon…

Training last Thursday night was a great success.

We had a mixture of nationalities and gender. We had Mara from Australia who is the first girl I have seen attend a Swannies training session*. Also her boyfriend Josh, a 6′ 3″ gun, who plays in the country league in WA, was visiting and heard about the training session. He turned up and showed us some things. He was so impressed and excited when I told him about all the good things happening around the Club, such as all the touring to other countries and the ANZAC Friendship Match. He said he would love to come back and play a match for the Swans.

The different nationalities at the training session were; Irish, American, British, Canadian and of course Australian.

It is so good to introduce the game to so many different countries. “Michael” from America quoted after the training session,

“Wow I love this game! It is so much better than American Football! Hand balling is so cool!“

* Ed’s note:

Last Wednesday on this website, former Hanoi President of the original Hanoi Swans spent 5 minutes with the Flyer. He also mentioned having a couple of young females training with us.

In Hanoi, the boys used to train at Dead Cat Stadium (known to the locals as Hoang Cau Stadium). There, it was often joked that the lights were just bright enough to work out where light towers should be installed. Judging by the lack of light in the above photo, Binh Duong could probably use a light tower or two as well!

Well done Dave for opening up the Swannies latest Chapter.

Whatcha bin doin’ in Binh Duong? Footy, mate. Honk, honk!

*** Hanoi Committee Meeting*** Tonight, the Hanoi Committee shall meet at JASPAS, Hanoi Towers.

Last night in Brisbane, non resident Swannies, Dez and Scotty Beasley, caught up in Brisbane (middlle). Left, Scotty at the 2007 Asian Champs. Right, Dez at last year's Indochina Cup.

As the Swannies Alumni continues to grow, the number of Swannies catching up with each other outside of Vietnam also continues to grow – with increasing frequency.

Last night, for example, former Saigon Prez, Dez Limbrick and wife Fleur, caught up with Scotty Beasley in Brisbane – for what appears to be a red wine! Un-Australian not to be slipping a Tiger in the tank??

Interestingly, also in the photo above of Scotty at the 2007 Asian Champs, is Pieter Bossink (standing behind him on the left side). Pete, who now works in Bangladesh and is trying to start up a footy club called the Dhaka Ducks, just happened to be in Saigon last weekend.

Also, at the same Asian Champs were Mr Jim Beam, Andy Wall, and The Artist, formerly known as Captain Gus McEwin. Both will be at the Boomarang Bistro in Saigon this evening for the Swannies’ “Welcome to 2012″ Celebration to kick off our season.

Go you Swannies!

Swannies and sunsets at the Boomarang on Australia Day. And it's on again tomorrow at the Boomarang, after training, from 5-7pm. All welcome.

While our Saigon President Sam Conroy (who works for Linfox) is busily driving B Double trucks back in Australia for Uncle Lindsay, the Swannies’ show continues to roll on.

Tomorrow, Saturday 4 Feb, footy starts up again at 2.30pm, RMIT, D7

The Swannies in Saigon are back on for Season 2012. It starts at 2.30pm tomorrow at RMIT  University, D7. It should be mega awesome to be kick the pig skin again after such a long drought. Dave O’Shea can tell you just how bad it’s been. (With necessity being the mother of invention, Dave has been forced to start up his own training sessions on Thursday nights out in Binh Duong. And the people are coming! More to follow).

Tick, tick… It will go off again at the Boom-arang after training for Swannies and Supporters!

Phew! We’re overdue for another Swannies function that, tick, tick, will go off at the Boomarang Bistro.

To celebrate the opening of the new season, we’ve teamed up with the Boomarang to welcome all partners, friends and supporters to share in the fun of being part of the Vietnam Swans in 2012.

From 5-7pm, after training tomorrow, there will be a BBQ with meat supplied by the Swannies’ Trav Fallon and Tra Vy’s Butcher Shop; San Miguel Beer and soft drink for just VND250,000.Or you can order separately off the menu.

If you were at the Swannies/ Boomarang Australia Day celebration, you’ll know how much of a hoot it was. As a bonus, we have former rock star, Swannies’ captain, and current dag, Gus McEwin back in town.