Vietnam Swans

Australian Rules Football In Vietnam!

  • Grand Final Parties – 27th September

    Saigon, Hanoi, Hoi AnSeptember 27th, 2014
    Biggest and best Grand Final Parties across Vietnam
  • Asian Champs – 10th October – Clark, Philippines

    The Swans take on Asia's best. Season's key event where the Swans will take on the strongest teams in Asia including the Hong Kong Dragons, the Singapore Wombats, the Jakarta Bintangs, the China Reds, the Bali Geckos, The Cambodian Eagles, the Thai Thaigers, the Malaysian Warriors and the hosts, the Philippine Eagles.

Archive for May, 2011

Golf Industry Central reports on “Swing to Swim” success

Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 28, 2011

Money raised at the Charity Golf Day will be used to teach Vietnamese children how to swim.

has reported on the Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day held on 14 May 2011. The event, co organised by the Vietnam Swans, Montgomerie Links, Swim Vietnam and the RLSSA, raised USD25,000. Below is an excerpt (for the full article, ).

“The award winning Montgomerie Links Golf Club located on Vietnam’s stunning Central Coast just outside Danang City has successfully hosted the inaugural Swing to Swim charity golf day raising USD $25 000 for Vietnamese swim programs with all money raised to be equally shared by the Danang based Swim Safe program and Hoi An based Swim Vietnam programs.

“Swing to Swim an initiative created by Montgomerie Links and proudly supported by the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia (RLSSA) and the community spirited Vietnam Swans Australian Rules Football Club held in conjunction with the bi annual world drowning prevention conference easily surpassed the original target of USD $20 000 thanks to the generosity and support of all participants with the event comprising a golf tournament and gala dinner with a charity auction. “The Montgomerie Links saw this event as a unique opportunity to further use golf as a platform to support the local communities in their battle against drowning fatalities in Vietnam which is a staggering 10 000 per year as quoted by some non government organizations (NGO’s). As an Australian expat working in Vietnam, it’s easy to take for granted the outstanding swim programs we have in Australia and it’s only when you realize there is as many drowning in Vietnam as road fatalities that one realizes how serious this problem is so to have the opportunity to make a difference through the Swing to Swim charity golf day is extremely gratifying for all involved” said Jon Tomlinson, General Director at The Montgomerie Links.

“The RLSAA were heavily involved in the preceeding conference on world drowing prevention which was attended by over 400 delegetes representing 60 countries and their Chief Operating Officer Rob Bradley added ‘To have the Australian Life Saving Society combine with the generosity of Montgomerie Links and the Vietnam Swans especially following a successful conference will make a big contribution to saving young lives in the coming year and we are proud to be part of the inaugural event.’

“While Jo Stewart who manages Swim Vietnam the Hoi An based program enthusiastically said ‘The Swim to Swim day was a huge success.  The money raised will allow us to put up a portable pool, significantly expand the program and teach many more children how to swim. We are already looking forward to next year’s golf day!’ ”

To read the rest of the article,

Posted in Swim | Leave a Comment »

Saigon President’s update

Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 27, 2011

Dave Hadley's farewell is on tonight. Pic by Ross McRae.

The Saigon Prez, Dez Limbrick gives us the Weekly Update.

Tomorrow’s training will be the last run before the AFL Masters match next Wednesday night, 1 June. I know that Josh and the rest of the coaching committee have been trying to get people to confirm that they are available.

The Masters are going to be very handy and this is going to be a tough match. So start focussing on the match, and get to training this week.

We will have refreshments at the ground and it would be great to see family and friends at the match also. After the game we will stay around for a beer and have the presentation of the Cup (that’s right we are playing for a cup). Then we have a dinner planned at the Bier Garden on Dong Khoi St from 7 – 7 30 pm. A buffet dinner will be served for VND 150,000 per person and there will be Fosters deals on the night. At the function we will announce the best on ground for both teams, plus have a chance to meet the touring party. We want to see everyone at the dinner who is playing in the match.

I would also like to take this time to acknowledge some fantastic players and contributors for the Swans who are leaving us in the next few of weeks. As you all know Dave Hadley is moving onto a bicycle tour of Europe. Mic Smith, our resident reporter, explorer and gun surfer, is leaving Vietnam on Monday but has already confirmed that he will be at his last training on Saturday which is great.

Also, Robert Visentini will be moving to London at the end of June and we are hoping that he can make the Master’s match so we can farewell him on the field. Rob has the record for the most injuries sustained while playing footy for the Swans (hamstrings, shoulders, necks……..), but despite that he keeps coming back better then ever, as witnessed by his dominant performance in the Legends’ Match in Vung Tau.

Thanks for all of your efforts fella’s. You will all certainly be missed around the club.

Malaysia Tour

Timmy has taken command as Tour Captain for the Malaysia Tour and is doing a great job. For those of you who have not been receiving his information please let me know and I will forward it through. However to keep it simple, the best flights to be found are on Malaysian Airlines, but you will have to book fast. After that Air Asia have good value also and fly at the same time. Tim will run through the rest of this tomorrow at training.

I would encourage everyone to tour if your available. This is our first tour of the year and I would really like to see us continue our strong performances on the field. If we can come away with the Linfox Trophy then this will be a fantastic result. So go and book your tickets now!

Don’t forget tonight – Dave Hadley’s farewell

Angry is saying good bye to Vietnam and there is farewell planned at Jaspa’s on Dong Khoi St from 7 30 pm. This could be your last chance to share your Dave Hadley stories with an appreciative audience, with out fear of retribution. Plus Angry is renowned within the Swans for providing controversial interviews when put on the spot and I am sure that tonight will be no different. In other words who knows what is going to happen. So don’t miss out! I’ll see you all there!

And Finally

Good luck to the Swannies in the North who will play in a Gaelic Football Tournament tomorrow.

Posted in Farewell, Legend | Leave a Comment »

Swannies and Shooters test their stamina in gruelling Le Fruit Triathlon

Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 26, 2011

Saigon Shooter, Fleur Limbrick, finishes 4th in last weekend's triathlon in Mui Ne.

Saigon Prez, Dez, tells us all about the gruelling Le Fruit Triathlon which was held last weekend in Mui Ne.

Following on from the Swannies recent participation in Saigon’s first Gaelic Football event, last weekend several Swannies and Shooters (the netball team) were spotted testing their endurance in the Le Fruit Triathlon held in Mui Ne.

There were two events up for grabs, firstly the Sprint (hardly a good name for it, I would think) which consisted of a 350 metre ocean swim,  20 km off road bike ride and a 5 km beach run.

The second option was the Endurance which consisted of a 750m ocean swim, 40 km off road bike ride and 10 km beach run.  The endurance proved to be particularly challenging and there were many competitors who did not last the distance.

Of the Swannies who competed, Trent Mears picked up third place in the Sprint, and in the Endurance Matt Natalotto finished 4th and Michael McCourt was 6th which were huge results.

For the Shooters, Fleur Limbrick was the 4th place female in the endurance event which was made even harder by a steward who accidentally added another 8 km to her bike ride (what a massive effort) and Ros Natalotto competed strongly in the Sprint .

I also spotted Mark Pleiter and Sam Stevens who, along with the Natalotto clan, both had children were completing in the special kids triathlon.  How good is that!

Once again it was fantastic to see the Swans and Shooters representing at other sporting events around Vietnam and doing such a mighty job!  It was a fantastic effort by all who competed and we should encourage a bigger turn out next year pending our own calendar of events.

Go the Swans! Go the Shooters!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

JASPAS’ 10th Birthday, Hanoi

Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 25, 2011

JASPAS' 10th Birthday Party, Hanoi

JASPAS is part of the Al Frescoes Group which is a National Sponsor of the Vietnam Swans.

On Friday, 3 June 2011, JASPAS in Hanoi will be celebrating its 10th birthday from 6.30pm – 10pm.

For just VND300,000 ($15), you will receive free flow beer, wine, house spirits, margaritas, daiqiuris and canapes. In addition, they will also have the Wheel of Fortune where you can win a trip to Hoi An, dinner at JBC or Al Frescoes.

We already know that JASPAS in Hanoi has been a cracking venue for the Vietnam Swans’ AFL Grand Final Parties.

Just imagine what they’re likely to do for their 10th birthday!

Moral of the story? Be there.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

ANZAC Friendship Match raises $2,700 for charities

Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 25, 2011

Rowan, with his nephew, Matthew, at the ANZAC Friendship Match

The Vietnam Swans Treasurer, Rowan Luke (who also works for the Commonwealth Bank in Vietnam), has just confirmed that USD2,700 was raised for charities at last month’s ANZAC Friendship Match in Vung Tau. Rowan reports below:

To all those who were part of the ANZAC Friendship Weekend in Vung Tau from 23-25 April, I am very pleased to confirm that we have managed to collect all of the funds for the charity operations from that weekend.

The total amount raised was VND56,146,180 (at today’s exchange rates, this is the equivalent of  USD2,728).

These funds will be distributed equally amongst the charities which had been nominated by the Vietnam Swans over the course of the next week, namely:

  • (formerly Tri Bob Swimming Program, Hoi An)
  • Vietnam Vets Schools Program
  • Trung Tam Bao Tro Tre and Thich Nu Tien Lien Orphanages, Vung Tau

I think this is a terrific effort by the Vietnam Swans and I thank all of those involved in raising the funds and those who have given so generously over the weekend.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Dan Hopkins – Hanoi President elect

Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 24, 2011

Dan Hopkins - Hanoi's President elect

As you will be aware, the current Hanoi President, Mark “Willy” Williams will resign from the Presidency so that he can return to Australia at the end of the school year in June.

Last week, the Hanoi chapter held a meeting to vote for the President elect in Hanoi.

The man who took the plaudits and position was none other than Dan Hopkins.

Dan has been an active member of the Swannies for many years. Even though Hanoi has not seen much footy action in the last couple of years (with visiting teams travelling to HCMC), Dan has been a regular at the travel agency buying another air ticket to ensure that he remained integral to the developing story of the Swannies.

National Swans President, Phil Johns added,

“Firstly, I would like to thank Willy for his time as Hanoi President. His Swannies heart has dwarfed Phar Lap’s (this is not a Vietnamese name) for many years. It’s difficult to find a man more passionate and committed.

“Having said that, Dan Hopkins isn’t far away at all. He has always been there flying the flag for the Swannies in the north and making sure he joined the tours to Saigon and overseas. He’s the bloke that you want next to you in the trenches.

“Dan will do an amazing job for the Hanoi chapter of the Swannies.

“The Swannies therefore look forward to the next period with Dan at the helm, with a great deal of excitement.

“Thanks Willy. Congratulations Dan!

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Peter Roache’s mother passes away

Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 22, 2011

Swans to wear black arm bands for Mrs Roache.

A fortnight ago, the Swannie’s Peter Roache received the very sad news that his mother had passed away while holidaying in England.

The Swannies extend our sincerest condolences and sympathies to the Roache family.

The Vietnam Swans shall wear black armbands as a mark of respect to Peter’s mother during our next match which shall be against the AFL Masters on 1 June 2011 in Saigon.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Video from 2011 ANZAC Friendship Match

Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 18, 2011

Adam Martin from – as well as being the Swannies’ Official Photographer – has prepared another Vietnam Swans video – this time from the 2011 ANZAC Friendship Match.

Check it out!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Lagler Australia to sponsor Vietnam Swans

Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 16, 2011

Cameron Luke, from Lagler Australia, meets Channel 9's Peter Harvey at the recent 2011 ANZAC Friendship Match

The Vietnam Swans are delighted to announce that has just become the Swannies’ newest sponsor in 2011.

Lagler Australia is a leading supplier of timber floor sanding equipment and supplies in Australia. Lagler Australia, at is the Australian agent for the Lagler range of floor sanding machines from Germany.

Although Lagler Australia has no business presence in Vietnam, the owner Cameron Luke and his family and friends recently visited Vietnam on a holiday. Cameron explained,

“We were fortunate enough to attend the Vietnam Swans’ ANZAC Friendship Match in Vung Tau and experience the tour of the battlefields as well as the emotion of the Dawn Service at Long Tan.

“I commend the Vietnam Swans for embracing the sacrifice made by Australians, New Zealanders and Vietnamese during the war and allowing a new generation to pay their respects to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice

“I also applaud the Vietnam Swans for their many other social initiatives to help the local Vietnamese community.

Lagler Australia - the newest sponsor of the Vietnam Swans

“Lagler Australia is proud to be a new sponsor of the Vietnam Swans.

“GO Swans!!! (Still hard to say as a Carlton supporter…)”

The National President of the Vietnam Swans, Phil Johns, added,

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Lagler Australia as a sponsor of the Vietnam Swans.

“The Vietnam Swans are very fortunate to have such a strong stable of sponsors. Lagler Australia’s interest in the Vietnam Swans is reaffirmation that, in Vietnam, Aussie Rules is definitely much ‘more than a game’. 

“We thank for their generosity and support of our Club.”

For more information on the Vietnam Swans’ sponsors, please click here.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

$25,000 raised at Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day

Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 15, 2011

Micky J sings at Swing to Swim Dinner

UPDATE: 200 photos taken by Michael Johnston have been added to the .

Yesterday, an amazing (provisional) USD25,000 was raised at the Inaugural Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day at Montgomerie Links, Danang. All money raised will be donated to SwimSafe and Swim Vietnam which both teach children how to swim (in Vietnam, more children die from drowning than  road accidents).

The Charity Golf Day, co organised by the Vietnam Swans, the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia (RLSSA), Montgomerie Links and Swim Vietnam was timed to coincide with the end of the RLSSA’s global conference on drowning prevention.

Some of the Swim Vietnam students take to the driving range.

The provisional total of $25,000 easily exceeded the organisers’ target of $20,000 thanks to very generous sponsors and some excellent auctioneering skills by Vietnam Swan, Mick Francis.

One highlight was a West Coast Eagles footy jumper that had been donated by . Beforehand, organisers were all a bit nervous as to how much an AFL club jumper would raise at a charity golf day in Vietnam. Well, it was bought by a Vietnamese, Mr Tu, for a staggering VND25million (USD1,200).

Mr Tu with his West Coast jumper - and the boy who won "Nearest to the Pin".

Mr Tu explained afterwards that he had recently travelled to Melbourne to play in a golf tournament and had been impressed by the city’s passion for Aussie Rules! So, he bought the footy jumper which he plans to donate to Montgomerie Links to put on display.

A golf cap from the Ryder Cup, signed by Colin Montgomerie, was sold for VND31 million.

Congratulations to everyone involved in achieving such an outstanding result. Special mention to Vietnam Swans’ sponsor, Jim Beam, which again offered incredibly generous support – this time with Makers Mark (America’s favourite redhead).

Michael Johnston has added 200 photos to the .

If you weren’t at the Inaugural Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day, have a look at the photos. Guaranteed, you will lock yourself in for next year!

For more information about Swim Vietnam, pls download the

Footnote: Coincidentally, on the same day, 14 May 2011, the Melbourne Age newspaper ran an article, which had a look at Danang and surrounds including Montgomerie Links.

Posted in Swim | Leave a Comment »

Australian Governor General visits Long Tan Cross

Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 13, 2011

Swannie, Dan Kindness, speaks to the Australian Governor General, Quentin Bryce, at Long Tan.

Today, the Australian Governor General, HE Quentin Bryce, visited the Long Tan Cross which is where the ANZAC Dawn Service was held three weeks ago.

In the photo above, she meets Swannie, Dan Kindness, who provided her with a detailed summary of the Battle of Long Tan in 1966.

Footnote: Two days ago, HE Quentin Bryce opened the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia’s world conference in Danang on drowning prevention. Tomorrow, the Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day will be played at Montgomerie Links.

Related You Tube video of interest

  • , by Peter Harvey, 60 Minutes. The story was aired on 13 August 2006.

Posted in Swim | Leave a Comment »

SE Asian Gaelic Games tomorrow, HCMC

Posted by Vietnam Swans on May 13, 2011

Some of the Swannies action at a Gaelic Games event in Hanoi, 2009.

Father (Brian) O’Rielly, the Irish Queenslander, the Aussie Rules Gaelic Footballer, reports on tomorrow’s SE Asian Gaelic Games.

The SE Asian Gaelic Games will take place at RMIT International University tomorrow, on Saturday, 14th May.

The first game starts at 9:00am. This game will be the first game of the newly formed Saigon Gaels GAA Club.

This team includes a number of the Swannie Players. However, other visiting teams will be very interested in getting some extra players. Ladies will get a game too if interested.

So bring you boots and enjoy a game or three of Gaelic Football.

For those playing with the Gaels, please be there at 8:30am as we will have official team photos. Anybody that turns up and buys a Gaels jersey will be come an inaugural member of the new club.

I look forward to seeing many of you there.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

 
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