What should we name the medal for the best and most courageous player in the ANZAC Friendship Match? Email vietnamswans@gmail.com with your suggestion.

National President, Phil Johns, says there’s just 4 weeks to go before the ANZAC Friendship Match. And there’s lots more going on as well.

Dear Swannies, Sponsors and Supporters

• 4 Weeks from yesterday – the 3^rd Annual ANZAC Friendship Match, 21 April, Vung Tau
• Help!! Naming of Medal at ANZAC Friendship Match
• Next Weekend: Local Derby, Hanoi
• Last Weekend – Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day raises $8,200
• Last Weekend – Big crowd at Combined Irish/Aussie Rules football match, Saigon
• A few days earlier – Battle of the Codes in Hanoi raised $1,000
• Farewell to Cathie Meinrath’s father.
• 2012 Indochina Cup confirmed for Hanoi
• Final Thought

4 Weeks from yesterday – the 3^rd Annual ANZAC Friendship Match, 21 April, Vung Tau

The countdown clock is on for the Swannies’ single biggest day of the year: the Annual ANZAC Friendship Match in Vung Tau which will be held on Saturday, 21 April.

Four weeks today, we will be at the Vung Tau Dog Track to play the China Reds in front of a crowd of up to 1,000 people, including veterans – some of whom played on the same oval during the war.

This is the event that will give all who participate a lifetime memory.

In a cluttered world, that is a big statement to make. But this is the 2012 ANZAC Friendship Match, Vung Tau, Vietnam.

Promotional posters will appear everywhere during the coming week. Bookings ($40) for the after match dinner on the rooftop of the Worldwide Arms Museum in Vung Tau can now be made. If you would like to be a volunteer during the day, please advise! Latest information will be published at vietnamswans.com/anzac-2012/

Help!! Naming of Medal at ANZAC Friendship Match

We currently present an unnamed medal to the best and most courageous player on the day. We need a name for that medal which will stand the test of time. It needs to resonate with a wide audience and not exclude any parties. The platform of the ANZAC Friendship Match is too important to offer something that is only “vanilla” and neutral. The medal needs to be strong and stand for something. It needs to lead. The prestige of this annual medal will continue to grow as the years pass by.

If you have any suggestions, I would very gratefully receive them. Please email me!

Next Weekend: Local Derby, Hanoi

Next weekend, a number of players from Saigon will travel to Hanoi for a local derby in the lead up to the ANZAC Friendship Match. Multiple cities; one Club.

Last Weekend – Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day raises $8,200

Last weekend, the 2^nd Annual Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day was held at Montgomeire Links, Danang. Compared with last year, the number of golfers doubled to 110 which was a great result. The increase in numbers was due to a reduction in the registration fee and the increased exposure. Unfortunately, not as many people attended the dinner in the evening which is when the raffle and auction were held. Nevertheless, despite the reduced registration fees and numbers at the auction, a fantastic USD8,200 was raised to support the great work being done by Swim Vietnam and Swim Safe (Royal Life Saving Society of Australia) Danang. That money raised will translate into lives saved in the water which is extremely gratifying.

During the week, Montgomerie Link’s General Director, Jon Tomlinson, confirmed that next year, the 3^rd Annual Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day will be held on 23 March 2013.

Promisingly, a number of schools in Danang, Saigon and Hanoi have pledged to run swimming programs in the same week as Swing to Swim so that we continue to raise awareness during a “Water Safety Week”.

Thank you to all our very generous sponsors who supported this year’s Swing to Swim as well as the people who played in the tournament and joined the dinner. Bring on next year!

Last Weekend – Big crowd at Combined Irish/Aussie Rules football match, Saigon

Last weekend, there were 50 players and 200 spectators at RMIT in Saigon for a combined Aussie Rules/Irish football match. There were alternating quarters of each code. The teams were mixed to ensure a great contest.

It was a hugely successful day and in the process, $450 was raised for the Loreto Foundation.

A few days earlier – Battle of the Codes in Hanoi raised $1,000

The winning Skowronski's Sausages team.

On 15 March, the sporting codes in Hanoi, including the Swannies, combined to host the 2^nd Annual Battle of the Codes Trivia night for charity. The show was won by Skowronski’s Sausages (btw, Skowronski is a Swannie).

During the evening, $1,000 was raised which will be split evenly between Swim Vietnam and Little Tigers Orphanage. A great result and well done by all.

Farewell to Cathie Meinrath’s father.

The Vietnam Swans were greatly saddened to learn of the sudden death of Cathie Meinrath’s father during the week. Our thoughts are with Cathie, her family and friends during this difficult time. Cathie, who now lives back in Australia, has been a great supporter of the Swannies while she was working for the Commonwealth Bank over here. Cathie often attended our matches (home and away) and generously volunteered at our various functions.

As a mark of respect, the Vietnam Swans shall also wear our black armbands at the ANZAC Friendship Match in memory of Cathie’s father.

2012 Indochina Cup confirmed for Hanoi

Confucius reflects on the Swannies.

A week ago, Hanoi President, Dan Hopkins confirmed that Hanoi had secured a venue next to the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi, to host this year’s Indochina Cup. So, it’s official. The Vietnam Swans will host the 2012 Indochina Cup in Hanoi on 17 November.

It is expected that the Vietnam Swans will host the Club’s Best and Fairest the following day on Sunday 18 November.

Final Thought

Confucius once say, “He who honk, love Swannie”.

Go you Swannies!

Some exhausted boys come out of the surf on the first day of the 2012 ANZAC Boot Camp. See Swannies' web album for more photos.

Tired, stiff, sore – and satisfied – are how the Swannies in Saigon and Vung Tau are feeling after the ANZAC Boot Camp in Vung Tau this weekend.

Day 1, Saturday, started with some push ups, sit ups, lunges and a few other things on the beach before we tackled the 1,000 steps up to the statue of Mary. Back down the stairs for a 7.6km run to Jesus where we faced another 900 stairs.

After a magnificent lunch at Timmay’s and Asha’s pad, we then took on the Beach Olympics in the soft sand. Just perfect for those of us recovering with very tired muscles from the morning session. Last exercise of the day was to send the exhausted Swannies into the surf…

In the evening, it was off to the Worldwide Arms Museum – new sponsor of the Swannies which also has Tommy’s Armoury on the rooftop – for dinner. Amazing venue. There, it was announced that the rooftop will be the venue for the Official After Match Function for the ANZAC Friendship Match on 21 April 2012. More to follow.

Day 1. The Swannies climb mountains to reach Mary.

This morning, we did the Beep Test session – won by Dave O’Shea. Then it was back to the beach for another session of sit up, lunges etc with bags of sand. Ouch! Then the fines session at Tommy’s Bar and Restaurant.

Special thanks to our excellent facilitator, Matt Natalotto; Timmay and Asha for housing so many of the Swannies; Meg and Sam Stevens for sorting out a lot of the logistics; Shag foe being the fines master and Kev Hornblower for dreaming up the idea at the Swannies’ best & fairest last year. Also, Bob Taylor from the Worldwide Arms Museum (who was an apology on the night) and Glenn & Trang Nolan from Tommy’s Bar for their superb hospitality.

It was a mega weekend which is now locked into the Swannies’ Calendar as an annual event.

Plenty of tired and exhausted bodies in Vung Tau and Saigon tonight… More to follow.

Participants

Ross Munn, Damo Judd, Sam Conroy, Kev Hornblower, Bill Crang, Alex Polson, Shannon Leahy, Paul Koch, Phil Johns, Dave O’Shea, Tim Clements & Asha Phillips, John MacFarlane, Luke Creamer, Ryan Evans, Matt Natalotto, Richard Quinn, Meg & Sam Stevens.

Photos

More photos can be seen by clicking onto the Swannies’ Web Album.

Matt Natalotto’s Website

To see some photos and a short video on our facilitator’s website, click here.

Swannies’ Skipper, Luke “Dukesy” Creamer won the National Best and Fairest with 76 points.  Heath Ellis finished in second place on 70.5 and Derrin Limbrick finished third with 57.5.

David Skowronski finished in 4th place and as the highest ranked player from Hanoi, took out Hanoi’s Best and Fairest.

The Hanoi President, Dan Hopkins, last weekend in Hanoi.

Dan Hopkins, Hanoi President wraps up last weekend’s hugely successful Awards and Presentations night. The man who also won the award for Outstanding National Contribution also congratulates winners of other awards.

Hi all! Thanks to all who joined us last Saturday night at JASPAS for Hanoi’s 2011 Presentation Night.
The night was a huge success and fun was had by all. The night started off with some initial presentations
to sponsors and a run down of the charity work the Swans have managed to accomplish this year.
Then on to the good stuff with a match by match summery and overall votes for the games and tours.

Throughout the count there were some awards given including:

• Hanoi Clubman Award: Dave Diviny, for all his hard work throughout the year.
• Coach’s Award: Dan Lucardie for his work ethic and positive attitude anytime he hits the track.

Congratulations Boys!

Then we kicked on with the count going through the Asian Champs (semi-finalists) and Indochina Cup (winners).

After all the votes were counted, the winner of Hanoi’s Best and Fairest was pretty obvious.

Hanoi’s 2011 Best and Fairest -  Congratulations Dave ‘SOS’ Skowronski!

We also said farewell to Hao Stew and Dan K. These boys have been a massive part of the Swans this year and further back. The efforts that you guys put on the track and off will not be forgotten. Thanks from all Swannies for all your contributions.

We do have one more upcoming event before Christmas.

The Big Kids Aussie Xmas Bash 16th Dec @ American Club 5.00pm. (Auscham, Koto, Swans and Dragons). Lets get out there for a BBQ, a kick of the footy and some froffies to send off 2011 and enjoy a good Aussie style Christmas party!

On Saturday, the Swannies in Hanoi celebrated 2011; the Club's most successful year to date.

Photos are now available of last Saturday night’s Awards and Presentations – including the Best and Fairest – in Hanoi.

The photos can be viewed online at the Swannies’ Web Album.

Congratulations to the individual winners and to everyone in Hanoi for making the night and season so successful.

Go you Swannies!

More to follow.

Hanoi President, Dan Hopkins, at last month's Indochina Cup.

Hanoi President, Dan Hopkins sends out a rev up for Hanoi’s 2011 Awards, Presentations and B&F tonight.

Tonight, Hanoi’s 2011 Awards, Presentations and Best & Fairest kick off.

Hope to see you all there for free flow beer from 6-8pm. There will also be finger food supplied.

We will celebrate the huge year it has been for the Swannies and also send off some of our players.

National Pres, Fabulous Phil Johns, has made his way up from Saigon to join the party. Great effort.

Critical Details:

• JASPAS, Hanoi Towers
• 6 pm onwards

Should be a massive night. See you all there.

Last year, Stanno took out Hanoi's BnF and Dan Kindness took out the Best Club Man, Who will take out these awards tomorrow night in Hanoi?

Hanoi President, Dan Hopkins, congratulates Skipper Dukes for taking out the Swannies’ Best and Fairest. He also provides full details of Hanoi’s awards and presentations to be held tomorrow, 10 December 2011.

Hi all,

Last week Luke ‘Dukes’ Creamer won the National Swannies’ Best and Fairest count. The Skipper who has taken the Swans up a gear in 2011 was a very well deserved winner. His Indochina Cup performance was a prime example of his skill and determination to attack the pill and lead from the front and take home our B2B ICC 2011.

From all in Hanoi, a big congratulations to Dukes for a great year, a very deserving winner.

Hanoi’s Awards and Presentations

It’s now time to acknowledge all of our Hanoi players from throughout the year.

With such a successful year from the Hanoi boys, let’s all get down to Jaspas on Saturday to
acknowledge our players and supporters. Also to farewell some very special players who
have given so much to this Club on field and off.

Where and when

Jaspas Hanoi Towers
Saturday, 10th December
6pm onwards.

The Club will put on some beers and finger food for the first hour or two. We will have a B&F count
as well as some other awards and a slide show of 2011.

See you all tomorrow night!

Entry is open to all but please RSVP to the Hanoi President, Dan Hopkins if you would like to attend.

On Saturday, Pia accepted the Best and Fairest on behalf of her husband, Dukes, who was not able to attend.

Courtesy of Ross McRae, we now have photos available of the weekend’s Best and Fairest and Christmas party in Saigon.

You can view the full set of 90 photos in Ross McRae’s Web Album or in the Vietnam Swans’ Web Album.

Additional Photos

If too many Swannies photos are never enough, Dani Moger has taken another 70 and they can be viewed here.  How good is it to be a Swannie??

Congratulations to all the winners.

Meanwhile, Hanoi’s Best and Fairest will be held in Hanoi next Saturday 10 December 2011 at JASPAS.

Auscham's Geoff Sutherland does the draw at Auscham's Christmas Party in Saigon yesterday. A Swannies banner hangs in the background.

Yesterday, Auscham held their Annual Christmas Party in Saigon in association with the Vietnam Swans, KOTO and the Saigon Australian Cricket Club.

The party was held back at the (tick, tick) Boom-arang Bistro which is where the Swannies were the day before for our Christmas Party and Best and Fairest.

Next Saturday, 10 December, the Swannies in Hanoi will hold their Best and Fairest.

Dukesy - Back to Back Legend! Photo: Adam Martin.

Last weekend, the Swannies went Back to Back with the Indochina Cup.

Yesterday, our Skipper, Luke “Dukesy” Creamer went Back to Back with the Swannies’ Best and Fairest, narrowly nudging out Heath “Heater” Ellis.

In third position was the Saigon President, Dez Limbrick (who was the highest scoring Swannie at the Asian Champs).

The result was a clear crowd pleaser after the Captain’s Indochina Cup winning performance last weekend. Long time friend, Nat Payne who presented the votes for the Indochina Cup with Damo Ballantine said, “I have seen Dukesy play a lot of footy but have seen none better than his performance in last weekend’s Grand Final”.

Dukesy polled 27 votes out of a possible 30 votes at the Indochina Cup.

Other recipients of awards were:

• Best Clubman in Saigon: Saigon President elect, Sam Conroy
• Most Outstanding Contribution: Ross McRae (who also received an air fare and two nights’accomodation at the Lifestyle Resort, Danang)
• Most Improved Players: Trent Mears and Spencer Fowler
• Captain’s Award: Dave O’Shea

The Club also farewelled outgoing Saigon President, Derrin Limbrick and his ever supportive wife, Fleur. We welcomed next year’s incoming Saigon President, Sam Conroy.

Congratulations to all recipients of awards – and all other players who were breathing down their necks all season. It really has been a fantastic season for the Swannies Club.

Much more to follow.

Hanoi Awards and Presentations

Saturday, 10 December 2011, JASPAS. After Hanoi’s event, a complete listing of Best and Fairest votes will be posted on this website.