Archive for May, 2008
Vietnam Swans Vs Singapore Wombats
Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 30, 2008
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Vietnam vs Singapore – tomorrow!
Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 30, 2008
Dear Swans Players and Supporters
The Swans Blog and a number of Singaporean Wombats have already flown into Hanoi. The Capital has been gripped with Footy Fever.
The locals have responded amazingly to Willy’s call for them to express their support for the Swans by leaving their cars at home and riding their motorbikes instead. The Hanoians have come out in droves. Fantastic and unbelievable scenes.
The BIG news is that this inaugural match between the Vietnam Swans and the Singapore Wombats will be played for the Mick Francis / Lou Milicevic Cup. Mick led the charge for the rebirth of footy in Hanoi which has now spread to the deep south of the country. Lou is a former coach of the Singapore Wombats.
The Agenda this weekend is:
- Tonight, from 6.30pm – Jaspas, 4th Flr Hanoi Towers to greet the Singapore Wombats and have the jumper presentation. Hanoi Oi’s netballers will also be there. Awwwwwwwesome.
- Tomorrow @ 2pm – UNIS, Ciputra. Game on. Presentation of the Mick Francis / Lou Milicevic Cup to be done by the Australian Ambassador, Bill Tweddell. (Showers are at the ground so bring a change of clothes)
- Tomorrow after the match – JAFA Bar and Restaurant, Ciputra – drinks and dinner
- Sunday Brunch – The Green Mango
This weekend, you won’t have to wait until the end of the day to discover that it’s all good.
Special thanks to the Club’s sponsors:
- Linfox Logistics – The Swans wouldn’t trust anyone else to shift our trophy cabinets
- Loscam Pallets – The Swans use Loscam’s pallets to load our trophy cabinets onto Linfox trucks
- Blue Ink Asia – As the designers of our awwwwwwwesome new Vietnam Swans jumper, should be rebadged as Blue (Red, White & Black) Ink Asia
- Big Rooster Footy – Rooster the Goose has manufactured the perfect Swans jumper
- Bobby Brewers Coffee – The perfect companion when watching late night re-runs of classic Swannies’ matches
- Jim Beam – With Beam, it’s never Been better.
- Jaspas Bar & Restaurant – You’ve seen Casper the friendly ghost so now try Jaspas your friendly hosts
- Jafa Bar & Restaurant – A clever rhyme has me licked this time – but do try their ice cream
Finally, a prediction for the Wombats: You’ve just been passed by another Swan. Hearin me?
Phil Johns President, Vietnam Swans
Posted in Asian Footy | 2 Comments »
Swans invited to Anzac Day match in 2009
Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 29, 2008
During the week, the Vietnam Swans received an email from the Thailand Tigers inviting us to play in their Anzac Day Tournament on 25 April 2009.
In 2009, Anzac Day will fall on a Saturday.
It is believed that, without any consultation, the President of the Vietnam Swans confirmed that the Swans would attend. And, furthermore, that they were exteremely honoured to receive such an invitation.
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Thriller in Manila
Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 26, 2008
While we’re all focussed on the Vietnam Swans Vs Singapore Wombats showdown next Saturday for the Lou Milsevic/ Mick Francis Cup, a number of other teams in the region are preparing to put on a thriller in Manila.
The Manila Cup will be hosted by the Philippine Eagles and it looks like it might be an unofficial sneak peek at the Asian Champs which will be played later in the year.
The competing teams are as follows: the Philippine Eagles, Hong Kong Dragons, China Reds (not the China Tigers), Malaysian Warriors and… the Hongila Dogs!
The Dubai Dingoes were also a chance to get there, but alas, it was not to be. That’s where the Hongila Dogs seized their chance with all four awesome paws. For the full story, see .
Meanwhile, in a shock announcement, Matty Johns has declared himself unavailable to play in the Swans tilt at the Lou Milsevic / Mick Francis Cup. He blames a work commitment.
If the Swans could bottle that level of commitment, we’d be odds-on to win the Champs.
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Kevin Sheedy visits the Wombats
Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 25, 2008
Last week, Kevin Sheedy visited the Singapore Wombats:
“AFL’s 150 Year Ambassador and recently inducted AFL Hall of Famer, Kevin Sheedy visited the Singapore Wombats last week to conduct a coaching clinic and pass on advice from over 44 years of involvement in the game.
“The Wombats are an Australian football team which began in Singapore back in the 1990’s. This year there has been a strong emphasis on building relationships with the Australian International School to ensure a quality Junior program exists.
“With only 11 children doing an Auskick clinic three years ago and over 2000 Australian children currently enrolled at the school, something needed to be done. With the assistance of the AFL and some passionate individuals the Wombats football club now has over 180 families involved in the Auskick program.
“The Singapore Wombats have played in two international games this year involving the senior team and Auskick children. One game was against Malaysia and another International Rules game was against an Irish team. They have tours to Vietnam, Jakarta and Bangkok in the months ahead. The Auskick players played against Malaysia at half time, which Sheedy said was the first ever international Auskick game! The junior Wombats have also been over to Subiaco to play at half time of the West Coast versus Carlton game in May.”
Click onto on the AFL’s website for the full story.
But what was Sheedy like? Did he have anything genuinely interesting or insightful to say? Singapore Wombats President, Granty’s reply: “Sheeds is a freak – more details over Hanoi beers!”
Bring on next Saturday’s Vietnam Swans Vs Singapore Wombats match.
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Swans score two footies!
Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 24, 2008
Last week, Toni Mitchell who is a teacher from Toorak College in Melbourne, was back in Hanoi.
Toni was in Hanoi on 20 May last year when the Vietnam Swans were working with Austrade on an Australian Schools Open Day (which rolled on to HCMC the following day). The Swans were showcasing some Aussie Rules as a way of helping to differentiate the Australian education product. All noble stuff.
Toni thought our footies looked a bit shabby (that’s what happens when you play footy on the hallowed dirt of Hanoi’s infamous Dead Cat Stadium). So, when she returned to Hanoi last week, she arrived with two footies under her arm for the Swans.
Thank you very, very much, Ms Toni!!
Meanwhile, the Vietnam Swans in HCMC will be showcasing Aussie Rules again tomorrow afternoon. We’ll be with Australiand Education and the Australian Consulate as part of “Experience Australia Day” at a University at 235 Ngyen Van Cu, District 5.
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The Swans new jumper
Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 22, 2008
Eddy the Mexican once remarked that wandering down a dark street in the Bronx with “a Swan on my shirt” may not be very cool.
Maybe.
But maybe, ya wanna stick to Asia – if you’re hearin’ me. Big Rooster Footy found this Angel lying on a pool table somewhere in China wearing one of our sample jumpers.
It’s all good – but can you spot the error in the jumper? The jumper above is likely to become a collector’s edition; worth a mint!
How good will the weekend of 31 May 2008 in Hanoi be when the Swans Official Jumper is unveiled – and we take on the Singapore Wombats? Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwesome.
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Experience Australia Day
Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 22, 2008
Did you know that we now have 10,000 Vietnamese student enrolments in Australia? If you knew that, you probably also knew that this makes Vietnam our 12th biggest export market for education.
Key competitors in this market are the US, UK and Continental Europe. And there are some other Asian countries such as Singapore are that are sometimes seen as being more cost effective.
Experience Australia Day is one of the the responses by the Australian Embassy and Australia Education International is to “profile Australian quality education through the lens of culture, people, the nature and achievements of in areas of education, science and technology. It aims to promote Australian education througgh raising the awareness of Australia as a country where study opportunities are offered by its 6 states and 2 territories”.
The Vietnam Swans will be part of the show on Sunay 25 May at 235 Nguyen Van Cu, District 5, HCMC to help differentiate Australia.
Below is the day’s agenda:
8.30 – 9.00: Opening Ceremony
9.00 – 12.00: Exhibition opens to public
9.30 – 10.30: Australian Cooking Show
10.30 – 11.3: Pre-departure seminar (AEI & VGAC)
12.00 – 13.30: Break
13.30 – 17.00: Exhibition opens to public
14.00 – 15.00: Australian Football coaching session
15.00 – 15.45: Presentation on study opportunities (State Government)
16.00 – 16.45: Presentation on study opportunities (State Government) (Cont.)
17.00 – 18.00: Australian Cooking Show
18.30 – 20.00: Musical show
20.30: Exhibition closes
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Tipstar – Round 8
Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 21, 2008
We are starting to see the quality rise to the top. Some massive efforts in this edition of the Vietnam Swans Tipstar.
Starting to really stamp authority on this comp are “Troggs” and “Deesboy” – Lucky 8’s for the 2nd time in 3 weeks – tough to beat. Slowly lifting and climbing back into the title race are Uncle Crow (yes we here you coming), Boz, Chris B, Tony Morwood (Celebrity Tipstar) and Snags – all with 8. The competition overall is on the improve with the average for this week being up about 6. So enough about the heros – what about the villians from this round?
Well…….”The number 1 Drew” is quickly becoming the Fremantle of the comp – good on paper, but just can’t get over the line. Andy Wall – starting to choke a little like Port, Fabo Phil in need of a name change, and “The Stray” – acting a little too much like his beloved Saints – seasons over. Gone, either tanking or looking for an early footy trip are the Matts – “Johns”, “Ball” and “777” are off the pace and need a bigger sprint home than Kiwi in the 83 Melbourne Cup.
Tipping looks much harder this week – plenty of injuries and suspensions. How long before the CATS or HAWKS lose? Port vs Sydney – who cares?. Will the Tigers be able to put away the Dons? What ever the answers, think long and hard this week – we need to catch the 2 at the top that are starting to pull away.
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The Swans handball board – unveiled this coming Sunday
Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 21, 2008
On Sunay 24 May in Saigon, the Vietnam Swans will unveil our new handball board at the Experience Australia Day event which has been organised by the Australian Consulate and Australia Education International.
The event will be held all day at Truong HPT, 235 Nguyen Van Cu, District 5 (near the Equatorial Hotel), Saigon. The Swans slot will be from 2pm – 3pm.
Full details to follow.
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Taber Talks again
Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 20, 2008
The big footy news this week has been that Melbourne’s longest serving Skipper, David Neitz has hung up his boots. Neitz had to retire after sustaining a neck injury.
Adam Baird from the Hanoi Chapter of the Swans emailed the following emotional, soppy tribute with the subject, “Can I have a minute’s silence”:
I have just received some shocking news! David Neitz has officially announced his retirement from AFL and has relinquished the captaincy of my beloved Demons. This has ended the great run of 306 games for the one club and 631 golas – the most of any Demons player and the longest serving Melbourne Captain.
The team this year is really battling and this is yet another cruel blow.
A more honest, hard working, long serving true gentleman and captain of the game you will struggle to find.
Please out of respect for the great man, can we have a minute’s silence!
Former Swans President, Daryl Taber, wrote back to say:
Sure why not? What’s another minute? The Melb crowd has been silent for at least 100 minutes each weekend anyway!
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Swans update
Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 18, 2008
Swannies, take a breath: it’s hectic!
- Saturday 24 May, RMIT @ 2pm – Scratch Match
- Sunday 25 May in District 5 – “Experience Australia Day” showcasing Aussie Rules
- Saturday 31 May, Hanoi @ 2pm – Vietnam Swans Vs Singapore Wombats in our new jumpers – with our new sponsors: Linfox, Loscam, Blue Ink Asia, Big Rooster Footy, Bobby Brewers and Jim Beam
1. Saturday 24 May – Saigon Swans, turn up for some quick match tactics followed by an internal practice match.
2. On Sunday 25 May, Australia Education International and the Australian Consulate are putting on “Experience Australia Day” in Saigon. The Swans have been asked if we can showcase some Australian Rules. We will have some footies, an exclusive Vietnam Swans handball board made up purely for this event and a big screen showing the 2005 AFL Grand Final which the Sydney Swans won.
We’re looking for volunteers to help out. Our specific slot runs from 2pm – 3pm (an update with specific details will be posted shortly) but it would be good to go from say 1pm – 3.30pm. We’ll wear our footy jumpers and have an awesome time. Please let me know if you can make it.
3 31 May, Vietnam Swans Vs Singapore Wombats, Hanoi. On the Friday night, dinner at Jaspas. Saturday, game starts at 2pm and there will be 4x15min quarters. 16 players per side plus unlimited bench. Dinner at Jafa Restaurant and Bar. Sunday brunch – Green Mango Restaurant. Swans Coach – Jarrod Dale, Hanoi (former captain of the Swans and Swans’ coach on 3 previous occasions for 2 victories). We’re trying to find a hotel at the moment.
So far, confirmed players from Saigon are: Phil Johns, Matt Johns, Clint Muzza, Big Joe, Damo, Chris Arnie (?), Eddie the Mexican, Sam the Man, True Drew, Anthony Cursio (?), Nathan (?).
Have I missed your name? Email me and let me know. It’s the unveiling of our new jumper and sponsors… It’s a piece of history… You wouldn’t want to miss this one…
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