The Australian Consul General to HCMC, Graeme Swift, does the Indochina Cup Draw, presents the Cup and then becomes a Swannie!
National Prez, Fabbo, gives us the Mega Squared Weekly Update.
Dear Swannies, Sponsors and Supporters
- Swannies win 2010 Indochina Cup
- Injury, International SOS and players’ insurance
- 2010 Best & Fairest
- Swannies End of Season Parties in Saigon and Hanoi
- Good luck to Miss Earth Australia!
- Zaiya Wooz Zaigon – tomorrow at Cafe Latin
- LoretoFest (Saigon International Music Festival) – next weekend
- Swannies Annual Cricket and Golf Days, Melbourne
- Urgent call goes out for “O” -ve blood type
- And finally…
Swannies win 2010 Indochina Cup
National Treasurer, Danny Armstrong is chaired from the ground after playing his last match.
Last weekend the Vietnam Swans won the 2010 Indochina Cup in Saigon. We achieved a perfect score winning our three games against Thailand, Lao and Cambodia and had a percentage of 384. In second place, with two victories was Cambodia followed by Lao and Thailand. Congratulations to the coaching panel of Josh, Dez and Trav; Skipper Dukes and all the players and supporters who helped us win our first ever tournament in such convincing style.
The match was special for another couple of reasons: we farewelled the retiring Danny Armstrong in fitting style (you’re too young to retire, Danny!!) and we proudly wore black armbands in honour of Dave “Flyer” Kainey’s mother.
In the sister netball tournament, the Saigon Shooters covered themselves in glory. Congratulations to the Shooters!
Mega special thanks to Coca Cola who stepped in at the 11th hour to provide all the water and drinks during the tournament!!
Matt Natt is visited by members of the Thailand Tigers footy team in his Bangkok hospital
Injury, International SOS and players’ insurance
During the first match, Swans player Matt Natalotto suffered a serious facial injury. Thankfully, is a sponsor of the Vietnam Swans and, accordingly, were in attendance at the tournament with Dr Bao and his team and an ambulance. This ensured that, immediately, Matt was able to receive expert medical treatment. Stating the obvious, the Vietnam Swans are extremely appreciative of International SOS’s continued support. Matt spent four nights in Bangkok receiving treatment. While he was there, the Thailand Tigers visited demonstrating their concern for a fellow Asian footballer. The spirit of Asian Footy is alive and well. The great news is that Matt is now back in Vietnam and will be at today’s end of season party in Saigon. Go Matty!!!!!!!!
While Matt was fully insured, this incident has raised the issue of player insurance again. The Vietnam Swans have previously searched unsuccessfully for a provider of decent players’ medical insurance. If you think you know of such a provider, could you please contact me immediately.
2010 Best & Fairest
While we had players from Hanoi and Vung Tau in Saigon last weekend, we held the Vietnam Swans Best & Fairest at the Spotted Cow in District 1, Saigon. Congratulations to our Skipper Dukes who took out the coveted award from Kev Hornblower and Dave Hadley.
Winning the Most Improved Player was Matt Townsend; the Coach/Captain’s Award went to Timmay Clements; Nick Russo took the Rising Star Award and Phil Johns was awarded with Saigon’s Club Man of the Year.
During the afternoon, the Al Frescoe’s Group, which owns the Spotted Cow, announced that it will be a Sponsor of the Vietnam Swans in 2011! Thank you to the Al Frescoe’s Group!
Swannies End of Season Parties in Saigon and Hanoi
- Saigon – Begins at 12 midday today in District 2. $5 covers food, catered by Al Frescoe’s, and drinks. Santa will also make an appearance bearing gifts – but only for the little kids.
- Hanoi – Friday, 6.30pm at Jaspas, 4th Floor, Hanoi Towers. More details to follow.
Miss Earth Australia - coming to Saigon
Good luck to Miss Earth Australia!
Tonight, Miss Earth Australia, Kelly Louise Maguire, shall find out if she wins the main title at the Miss Earth 2010 Coronation night in Nha Trang. We wish her the best of luck!
Thanks to Micky J’s hard work, the Swannies are an excellent chance to meet up with Kelly on Monday night in Saigon before she returns to Australia.
The Miss Earth pageant aims to draw attention to environmental issues such as global warming, wild weather, rising sea levels etc. All of these issues are a major concern to a country which has more children die from drownings than road accidents. The Vietnam Swans, led by Mick, are becoming more involved with initiatives to improve the swimming skills of Vietnamese children.
Zaiya is coming to Saigon
Zaiya Wooz Zaigon – tomorrow at Cafe Latin
Tomorrow night, Zaiya will perform live in Zaigon at Cafe Latin from 4.30pm. Zaiya is just at the beginning of her music career and as the Swannies know all too well, getting started is the hardest part.
Zaiya is actually the daughter of Mark Etinger, co owner of Swannies’ sponsors Pest Free and Vietnam Housewares. Pest Free actually bought our first AFL goal posts in Saigon back in 2007 when the national Vietnam Swans team was just starting in the southern city. It would be great to see as many Swannies as possible at Cafe Latin tomorrow night or at the Acoustic Bar where she will also play (see attached poster for full details).
The Swans will be at LoretoFest next weekend in Saigon
LoretoFest (Saigon International Music Festival) – next weekend!
Next weekend, the 2010 LoretoFest – the Saigon International Music Festival – will be held at RMIT University in Saigon. All proceeds will go to the charity, Loreto Vietnam Australia Program. The Vietnam Swans will be there to run footy clinics during the afternoon. See attached poster and banner for details.
Swannies Annual Cricket and Golf Days, Melbourne
It’s happening again at the end of the month in Melbourne:
- Golf – The Vietnam Swans 6th Annual Golf Day shall be played at Royal Ivanhoe Golf Links, Melbourne on Tuesday, 28 December.
- Cricket – The Vietnam Swans 4th Annual Cricket Day shall be held in the MCC Members’ Pavilion (Australia Vs the Poms) of the MCG on Wednesday, 29 December.
These events are becoming increasingly popular. Last year at the golf we had 18. This year will be a cracker. Please confirm your attendance by emailing me.
Stew donates blood for road accident victim
Urgent call goes out for “O” -ve Blood type
During the week, Swannies’ supporter, Glenn Nolan, called to say that there had been an accident in Vung Tau and some “O” -ve blood was urgently required. The word went out through the Swannies network and we had a match with Stewie Davies. Stew went to the hospital and donated the blood. Glenn says that the mate who is there looking after Max (who had the accident) was blown away by the quickness of (the Swannies’ response). He sends his thanks.”
And finally…
This has been a bigger week than most. I know I’m incredibly biased, but this week I have kept reflecting upon the culture of this Club and the people in it. It is special.
Such a long email update and I haven’t even started to thank the people who need to be thanked…
Honk! Honk!