A Swannies mega update from the National Prez
Posted by Vietnam Swans on March 19, 2010
National President, Phil Johns sends out an update on what is happening in the Land of Swannies.
Dear Swannies, Sponsors and Supporters
A b-i-g week just finishing. A mega month about to be unleashed…
1. AFL Superstars Nathan Buckley and Gary O’Donnell join Swannies footy clinic at RMIT
2. Lao Elephants Vs Vietnam Swans, tomorrow
3. ANZAC Weekend, Hanoi Vs Saigon, Vung Tau (near Saigon)
4. Footy tipping
5. Tomorrow in Netball: Saigon Vs Hanoi
1. AFL Superstars Nathan Buckley and Gary O’Donnell join Swannies footy clinic at RMIT
In Melbourne Victoria Street, Richmond is known as “Little Saigon”. Last Sunday, RMIT University, Saigon looked like “Little Melbourne” when AFL Superstars Nathan Buckley (Collingwood) and Gary O’Donnell joined the Vietnam Swans for a footy clinic. The players were mobbed by squillions, young and old, Vietnamese and Australian, for autographs and photos. Amazing scenes – especially with the Vietnamese kids from KOTO whose ears were joined by the biggest grins. Despite having just arrived from Australia, Nathan and Gary were both generous and genuine with their time. They both made it look like the footy clinic was the only place they wanted to be. Fantastic.
To see photos, visit the .
2. Lao Elephants Vs Vietnam Swans, tomorrow
Today, the Vietnam Swans set off for Lao to take on the might of the stomping Lao Elephants. Stomp, stomp, stomp. The big game will start in Vientiane at 4pm tomorrow.
When the Vietnam Swans played in our inaugural Asian Championships back in 2007, five top fellas from Lao joined us. Since then, those fellas went on to form the Lao Elephants. Elephants founder, Marty Sharples, says that regardless of the tournament, whenever our two teams play each other, it is the “Marquee Event”.
The Lao Elephants have forwarded a schedule for the weekend and, as expected, the hospitality will be first rate. The Elephants will return to Vietnam in November for the 4th Annual Indochina Cup which will be held in Saigon.
3. ANZAC Weekend, Hanoi Vs Saigon, Vung Tau (near Saigon)
The Vietnam Swans will host an ANZAC footy match between Hanoi and Saigon at the Vung Tau Greyhound Race Track on Saturday 24 April. This will be our inaugural ANZAC Match. Swannie and Warrant Officer from the Australian Embassy, Dan Kindness, shall take us on a tour to places of significant interest to Australia on the Saturday morning. In the afternoon, we will play the footy match which will be followed by an informal function. On the Sunday morning, we shall attend the Long Tan Dawn Service. Dan shall show us several more sites before we head back to Vung Tau to watch the Collingwood Vs Essendon ANZAC Day match on the TV.
The Vietnam Swans will play the footy match on the Saturday as a mark of respect to all who have fallen in all wars and to celebrate life in Vietnam in 2010.
This will be an extraordinary event and going forward, we expect it will become an annual event that connects communities. As part of that, we shall also announce full details of a local swimming program that the Vietnam Swans will support (in Vietnam, approximately 40 children under the age of 15 drown each day).
Coincidentally, last night, Swannie Phil Murphy (Hanoi), who is currently in Melbourne on business, attended a function with Hawthorn players. Phil spoke with Luke Hodge and Brent Guerra (see photo). He says that “Luke was fascinated that there was a very active AFL team in Vietnam and they (wished us) the very best for the year ahead – especially for our ANZAC event.”
Details are still being finalised butclick here for the that has been put prepared by Dan Kindness. As you can see, it is a very comprehensive program and already, 75 people are confirmed to join the weekend from Hanoi.
To register your interest in attending, please contact in Hanoi or in Saigon.
4. Footy tipping
It’s still not too late to join the Vietnam Swans AFL footy tipping competition for Season 2010. For full details, click here or email .
5. Tomorrow in Netball: Saigon Vs Hanoi
Tomorrow, the Saigon Shooters Netball Club will host the inaugural clash between the Saigon Shooters and the Hanoi Oi’s at the Australian International School in D2, Saigon. The Swannies enjoy a very close relationship with both these teams and both have toured with us before. Both teams will be part of our Indochina Cup weekend later in the year. So, if you’re in Saigon tomorrow, get out there to AIS and barrack your lungs out for…
As long as netball is the winner, the Swannies will be happy.
Finally, honk yer horn if you love Aussie Rules in Vietnam!