The National Prez, Phil Johns, gives a “mega squared” national update below.

Dear Swannies, Sannies and Supporters

• 12th Annual Asian Championships, Bangkok, 13 August
• AFL Coverage on Australia Network under threat
• Free golf at Montgomerie Links, Hoi An!
• Hoo Roo to Visa and Winkie who are UK bound; and the HK bound Westwoods
• Rest in Peace to Ailsa’s sister, Val
• And finally…

12th Annual Asian Championships, Bangkok, 13 August

Just six weeks from this coming Saturday, the Vietnam Swans will make our 5th appearance at the Annual Asian Championships. The Champs will be held in Bangkok on 13 August. The organisers, the Thailand Tigers, have just released the prospectus – a copy of which is attached below as a pdf file.

Key points from the prospectus are:

• there will be no seeding
• there will be a draw that randomly allocates four preliminary matches for each of the competing eleven teams
• The top four teams will then play in the semi finals and from there, the two winners will play off in the Grand Final
• Team squads for each match will be capped at 22 players – 14 on the field and 8 on the bench.
• Ring ins are not allowed (a “ring in” is a “player brought into a team from outside of the club, purely to help a team’s chances in the Asian Champs. The responsibility is on each team (to police)”).

The Thailand Tigers last hosted the Asian Championships back in 2007 – the year that the Swannies made our Champs debut. The Champs was also the occasion that saw the Hanoi Swans undergo a transformation into the country’s first and only national Aussie Rules team, the Vietnam Swans.

The Tigers put on a sensational Champs back then and this year will be no exception. The Champs, the Kanchanaburi ANZAC Match… The Tigers know how to organise the big events.

Compared with 2007, the Swannies are expecting to achieve considerably more success on the field. Expect to hear plenty more from the coaches on this matter and the warm up “Heritage Round Match” in Hanoi on 23 July between Hanoi and Saigon.

As most of us start to ramp it up, it’s reassuring to know that our show-pony players/teachers are currently enjoying their well-earned holidays in exotic parts of the world including South America and the subcontinent. However, last night the guilts caught up with Nat “All Asian” Payne who defensively emailed to advise that we could expect a photograph of him jogging past the Taj Mahal in his Swannies top… So far, just the words have come through. Perhaps the photo will come through in the future. (Footnote: apparently Steph has a few photos of Nat sprinting to the toilet – but without the all important Swannies top.)

AFL Coverage on Australia Network under threat

As you may be aware, there has been no coverage of NRL on the Australia Network this year. AFL matches potentially face a similar fate after August this year when new parameters set by the Department of Foreign Affairs come into effect as to what is most appropriate for the “intended target audience”.

Last week, Australia Business Asia, which comprises the 16 regional Australian Chambers of Commerce and Business Councils, made a submission to the Australian Government that was co-signed by each of the Chambers/Councils. It requested that the Australia Network continue to televise Australian sports including the AFL. The Vietnam Swans then forwarded the letter to the AFL and suggested that it also make representations to Canberra if it hadn’t done so already. The AFL replied that it was acutely aware of the issue and was doing all it could to convince the government of the merits of continuing the coverage.

The Asian football clubs are now on the verge of also co-signing a similar submission. Tomorrow, the Vietnam Swans shall forwarded the joint submission to the Minister for Communications (in the last couple of days, the Government has decided that the Minister for Communications should make the decision).

The Chinese word for “crisis” comprises two Chinese characters: one means “danger” and the other means “opportunity”. I believe this episode has created an opportunity. How extraordinary it is that an issue like the televising of the AFL into Asia has galvanised Australian opinion and action across the region! The business chambers are speaking with one voice. Asian footy is speaking with one voice. The AFL is being responsive. We’re all referring to each other’s arguments and in the process, the areas of overlap between our respective organisations has become very visible. That then opens up the possibility of working more closely together in more areas for mutual benefit. Organisational links are strengthening which is critical in a region where there is a high turnover of individuals.

How good is Australia’s Signature Sport??

Free golf at Montgomerie Links, Hoi An!!

Would you like a free game of golf at the amazing Montgomerie Links, Hoi An? And Hoi An – what an incredible place to spend a weekend! What an amazing gesture by Kyle Hackenberg and Montgomerie Links…

At the 2010 Vietnam Swans AFL Grand Final Party in Saigon, Kyle put in a winning silent bid at an auction for 50 rounds of golf at Montgomerie Links. The 50 rounds, valued at approx $100 per round, must be used up on the same day.

A date is still to be set but if you would like to express your interest in playing a round, please email me with your details. Also, include the names of some friends in case there are still some vacancies. Kyle will then determine a date and hopefully you will be able to join.

Please note that lodging an expression of interest does not guarantee that you will be able to play. Criteria will be based upon the number of people wanting to play, when registrations of interest were submitted, the proposed date etc.

Hoo Roo to Visa and Winkie who are UK bound; and the Westwoods who are HK bound

In Saigon, we say hoo roo to Visa, Winkie and family. We wish you all the best over there in the UK. You will be missed back here in Vietnam.

Visa, a photo opportunity: Big Ben in a Swannies jumper? I’d like to see that.

To the Westwoods heading from Hanoi to Honk On (Hong Kong, really), we hope it goes really well for you guys and look forward to seeing you again soon.

Rest in Peace to Ailsa’s sister, Val.

Ron and Ailsa Vernon came to our ANZAC Friendship Match this year. For Ron, it was an especially emotional time as he had been in Vung Tau during the War. Where we played footy that afternoon at the Vung Tau dog track was the same place that he had won a premiership nearly 35 years ago.

Last week, Ailsa’s sister Val – who also attended the ANZAC Match – died of a massive brain haemorrhage. Val will be buried later today.

The Vietnam Swans extend our deepest condolences to Ailsa, Ron, Brian and families. As a tribute to Val, the Swannies will be honoured to wear black armbands in our next match.

And finally…

This email update has just skimmed the surface of just a few of the hard hitting stories going on. To keep abreast of all the latest, including full details on the Great Australia Network Debate, log on to http://vietnamswans.com or Facebook.

Honk! It’s a hoot!

The hosts for the 12th Annual Asian Championships, the , have just released the prospectus. The Champs will be held in Bangkok on 13 August 2011.

Key points to note in the Prospectus are that:

• Eleven clubs will compete
• There will be no seeding. Each team will play four random preliminary matches. The top four teams will play off in the Semi Finals and the winning two through to the Grand Final.
• Preliminary matches will have 2×12 minute halves; Semi Finals 2 x 15 minute halves; and the Grand Final, 2 x 20 minute halves.
• Each team will have a maximum of 22 players per squad per match comprising 14 on-field players and another 8 on the bench.
• To qualify for the Semi Finals, a player must have played in at least 2 preliminary games. To be eligible for the Grand Final, a player must have played in at least 3 games (preliminary and/or the Semi Final).
• Ring ins:
  “We do not want to see players brought into a team from outside of the club, purely to help a team’s chances in the Asian Champs. The responsibility is on each team, and the following could be used as a guideline:“Acceptable
  • “A former player of the club who has relocated to another country and is touring with the team.

  “Unacceptable

  • “A player who has not played with the team before and is brought in for the Asian Champs specifically because of his playing ability.

  “If any team does overstep the mark in terms of ring-ins, then it’s the other 10 clubs they’ll have to answer to. Common sense and fair play is expected.”

• Registration fee will be USD1,000 per team (for the second consecutive year, the registration fee has dropped which is very welcome news).

To read a copy of the full prospectus, click onto  the

The Thailand Tigers did an amazing job hosting the Asian Champs back in 2007 – when the Swannies made our Champs’ debut. Judging by this prospectus, 2011 will be just as good if not better.

Well done to the Tigers.

The AFL’s International Development Manager, Tony Woods has replied to the Vietnam Swans email of 23 June regarding the threat to the continued coverage of AFL matches on Australia Network. Below is Tony’s email dated 24 June.

Thank you for your email.

We are acutely aware of the proposal that is being driven out of DFAT and your sentiments echo those of many ex pat communities outside of Australia.

I was recently in Bali to attend the Bali Masters and many of the diaspora you speak of spent much of the weekend lobbying me along similar lines.

Obviously we see carriage of our games on Australia Network critical to the growth of the game in the region, but importantly also recognise the role a broadcast plays in creating opportunities for Australians on the ground to conduct consistent social, business and networking initiatives within and beyond the ex-pat community as evidenced by the Swans activity in the past 12 months.

Last year’s exhibition game in China highlighted the value of our game as a trade platform and the role it can play in connecting and promoting Australia and a big part of our culture to an International Community across a number of levels.

We are therefore in the process of lobbying the Australian Government through a variety of channels and are hopeful we can apply enough pressure to at least have DFAT reconsider its position.

In the interim, Australia Network has given us assurances they will deliver on their commitments for 2011.

I’ll keep you informed of our progress.

Footnotes:

• A copy of this email, together with the Vietnam Swans email was forwarded to Auscham in Vietnam. Auscham in turn forwarded them to Australia Business Asia which then forwarded them on to the 16 Australian Business Chambers and Councils across Asia.
• The Age newspaper reports on Tuesday 28 June 2011, .
• The Australian newspaper on Friday 24 June 2011, in an article titled , reports that a “decision on who wins the contentious contract for the running of the Australia Network is likely to be delayed six months and the decision taken by Communications Minister Stephen Conroy’s department instead of Kevin Rudd’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
• is written by former Asian correspondent for Time Magazine and Fortune Magazine, Eric Ellis. He writes about how important it is to continue the coverage of AFL football.

In Hanoi on Thursday 7 July 2011, the Australian Trade Commission in conjunction with Auscham and the Vietnam Swans will host:

The Inaugural Auscham & Vietnam Swans Members and Sponsors Aussie Summer BBQ.

A highlight of the evening will be the screening of the Dog Eat Dog production of Sunrise over Sea which documents the inaugural ANZAC Friendship Match in 2010. This doco was recently screened in HCMC.

The event will be held at the Australian Embassy in Hanoi from 6.30-9pm.

If you would like to attend, please RSVP to

The televising of the Aussie Rules into South East Asia is under threat. Two days ago, Australian Business Asia, comprising the regional Australian Chambers of Commerce, made a submission to the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd. Its submission, which can also be found on , is reproduced below. Or, to view the original in pdf form, click onto .

Dear Minister

Australian Business Asia (ABA) is the name given to the grouping of 16 Australian Chambers of Commerce and Business Councils operating throughout Asia. ABA’s mission is to provide a collective voice for this group.

ABA understands the Government will soon select a broadcaster to provide Australia’s overseas television service, the Australia Network. It has been drawn to our attention that as part of the tender parameters for the new contract, the preferred supplier will be required to reduce the amount of Australian sport broadcast. This is stated as being intended to be part of an effort to better cater to the intended target audience, which appears not to include the Australian diaspora.

We support strongly Australia Network’s role in showcasing Australia, its interests and its values to an overseas audience. Indeed, as Australians with similar objectives of promoting Australia, the Australia Network is for us a valuable tool we employ frequently in our efforts to ensure that Australia and Australians are seen in the best possible light.

We have two primary concerns in relation to the proposed focus of the Australia Network and the consequent decisions that may have for programming.

1. First, many Australian businesses in the region leverage the programs on the Australia Network – particularly Australian sport – to engage our foreign colleagues and business contacts. We are of the view that a significant reduction in Australian sport on the Australia Network would reduce our options for engaging with local business in an environment which is promotional of Australia. In its 2005 report entitled “They still call Australia home: Inquiry into Australian expatriates” the Senate Legal and Constitutional References Committee found that Australian expatriates are an “underutilised resource: not only are they an asset in terms of promoting Australia and its social, economic and cultural interests; they are also ambassadors for our nation”. Since that report the forces of globalisation have only intensified, consequently magnifying even further the important role that the Australian diaspora plays in advancing Australian interests overseas.

There also appears to be a viewpoint that Australian sporting events are of no interest to the “intended target audience”. We disagree. Sport, particularly Australian Rules football, is quintessentially Australian and has always been an important aspect of Australian culture and national identity. It is important that this is not just recognised by Australia’s overseas television broadcaster, but celebrated!

2. Second, Australia Network is an important tool for the Australian Government in its efforts to win back the Australian diaspora. Australia Network provides an essential connection to Australian culture for Australian expatriates of all ages living overseas. The Senate Legal and Constitutional References Committee report further recognised the need for the Australian Government to engage with the Australian diaspora, looking to increase the likelihood of return of this worldly resource to Australia.

The Australia Network provides the Government with an important tool to connect (and reconnect) the Australian diaspora with Australia. Given the sporting nature of Australians, the value of high quality Australian sports in providing this connection should not be underestimated.

It is our contention that the Government should not be de-emphasising the broadcast of Australian sport on the Australia Network. Rather, the Government should be insisting on a mix of programming that not only promotes Australia in the best possible light but also provides Australian businesses with opportunities to leverage in international markets, and which fosters a connection to current Australian society for the Australian diaspora. High profile Australian sport such as Australian Rules football and the rugby codes are essential in this regard and should feature prominently in Australia’s overseas broadcasting.

We therefore ask that you reconsider the Government’s position on Australian overseas broadcasting and programming on the Australia Network.

Yours Sincerely,

John Dick, Chairman
AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS ASIA
21 June 2011

• AustCham Beijing
• Australian Business Association Cambodia
• AustCham FUjian
• AustCham Hong Kong and Macau
• Indonesian Australian Business Council
• Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan
• AustCham Korea
• Australia New Zealand Business Association in Laos
• Malaysia Australia Business Council
• Australian New Zealand Chamber of Commerce, Philippines
• AustCham Singapore
• AustCham Shanghai
• AustCham South China, Guangzhou
• Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Taipei
• Australian -Thai Chamber of Commerce, Thailand
• AusCham Vietnam

Cc: The Hon. Dr Craig Emerson MP, Minister for Trade
The Hon. Julie Bishop MP, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs

Congratulations are now due to Jerry! Jerry! Jerry! And Linda.

The former Swannies who are now back in Washington DC, have just given birth to their first child, Elizabeth.

Many people often argue convincingly that footy is a life skill. Here, Jerry, with the experience of cradling a Sherrin footy, is now very comfortable holding his new baby.

Q.E.D.

Congratulations again to Jerry and Linda from all the Swannies.

At the 2011 ANZAC Friendship Match, of the money raised, approximately $1,000 was donated to the Vung Tau Veterans’ and Friends’ Children’s Fund. Below is an excerpt from the VTVFCF’s first newsletter prepared by Kevin McMillan.

The VTVFCF was formed as a fundraising group of Vung Tau expats in October 2010.  Prior to that time, a certain amount of fundraising activities had been undertaken for various projects but in a somewhat uncoordinated fashion.  Under the guidance of Peter Taylor (PT) the group began to focus on specific projects and to develop something of a future direction.

The group had previously undertaken significant works of this nature at the Da Bac Kindergarten to the North West of Long Tan and the next project identified was the existing Primary School at Nui Dat – at the Western end of the old Luscombe Airstrip Runway.

Since its formation, the VTVFCF has been involved in ongoing fundraising activities, completion of the works at Da Bac and laying the groundwork for the commencement of the Nui Dat project.  In addition, another 2 schools have been identified for possible future attention.

At the inaugural meeting it was also determined that the future direction of the group should focus on the refurbishment/reconstruction of existing Primary Schools and Kindergartens within Ba Ria Vung Tau Province.

Da BAC Kindergarten

Over the past 12-18 months the Da Bac School has been transformed.  At a total cost of around 300M VND, the school has received 16 new toilets, concreted and landscaped playgrounds, the installation of a fresh water bore and tank, new security screens and more recently new fans for all the classrooms.

To read more about the Nui Dat Primary School and their fundraising activities, click onto the  .

Yesterday the Malaysian Warriors, with ex AFLer Trent Croad, scored a convincing victory over the Swannies in Kuala Lumpur.

It was a good strong first half with the scores even at the main break, but the Warriors kicked away in the second half to win the Linfox Cup 12. 7. 79 to the Swannies 3. 8. 26.

The Swannies were playing for our 8th consecutive victory but it was not to be.

The Warriors judged Nick Shiells as the Swannies best.

Congratulations to first time tourers for the Swannies: Aaron Daldy, Scotty Levin, Kyle Hackenberg, Trent Mears and Nibsy. Also congrats to C. Dan Hopkins on his first tour as Hanoi President.

Special thanks to Timmay Clements who took the lead role in organising the tour. Thanks also to Dezza as co organiser, coach, gun player etc and Matty Townsend as the irrepressible and reprehensible Fines Master.

A great weekend put on by our Malaysian hosts.

More to follow.

Tourers: Derrin Limbrick (playing coach), Nick Shiells (Acting Captain), Heath Ellis (Acting Vice Captain), Sam Conroy, Trent Mears, Dan Hopkins, Kyle Hackenberg, Scott Levin, Phil Johns, Stewart Davies, Paul Koch, Anthony Nibsy, Timmay Clements, Mark Pleiter, Aaron Daldy, Matt Townsend, Brett Jota and Ms Ha.