Vietnam Swans

This weekend’s footy match between the North and the South in Hoi An is being promoted all around the country.

Last night, Club President, Fabbo dropped in to Hue to check out efforts at the just opened Hue Backpackers Hostel.

The Hostel carries no less than 6 promotional posters on the ground floor. Unprecedented publicity you may think.

But, it’s not really surprising. The Hostel is owned by Hanoi’s very own Mr Football, Mr Mick Francis (and Max). The Hue Backpackers’ Hostel is managed by Hendo who made his debut for the Swannies against Thailand in this year’s ANZAC Day clash.

If you’re looking for backpacker accommodation in either Hanoi or now, Hue, get on board. Check out their for full details.

Last week, Shannon and Nick missed footy training in Saigon. The Swans Blog has received the following message from Shannon:

Just so you know, when me and Nick aren’t at training, we’re still pushing the Swannies’ message – here’s us spreading the gospel with a kick-to-kick in Mui Ne – followed by me getting my arse kicked with their kind of footy.

All good.

AFL State of Origin

North vs South

‘Rumble in the Jungle -This time it’s personal!’

Hosted by the Vietnam Swans Aussie Rules Club

Saturday 18 July, 12 noon

Le Loi Avenue sports ground, Hoi An

Free event! Bring the family along to watch or even don the boots for a kick!

Irish Gaelic football players an nd Tasmanians also welcome.

Don’t miss the after game function – US$10++ all you can eat BBQ and AFL on the big screen!

Saturday 5pm at Heritage Bar Life Resort

1 Pham Hong Thai, Hoi An

For further info, email [email protected]

Culi Café, 40 Luong Ngoc Quyen, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi.

(50 metres west of bia hoi corner).

(04) 2213 2951

1. Friday, July 10: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

• First Drink for Free  (beer, soft drink, water, smoothie, mixed spirit, hot drink).
• Comfortable Cafe (above the Laundromat).

2. Sunday, July 12: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm

• First Drink for Free  (beer, soft drink, water, smoothie, mixed spirit, hot drink).
• Comfortable Cafe (above the Laundromat).

On 26 June 2009 in Hanoi, the Vietnam Swans found themselves in the Gaelic footy tournament in Hanoi.

See the link for a quick summary.

The photo to the left shows the proud Swannies.

Tonight, it has been confirmed that the North will play the South in the neutral territory of Hoi An in Central Vietnam on Saturday, 18 July 2009.

Players and families will fly into Hoi An from Hanoi and Saigon on Friday 17 July and depart on Sunday 19 July.

It is rumoured that officials from the White House are in the process of repositioning satellites to closely monitor this match of Aussie Rules. The reason for their interest? North Korea.

Officials are asking, could such an idea be used on the Korean Peninsula to bring the North Koreans back into the fold?

More details about the specifics of the weekend in Hoi An to be confirmed shortly.

Honk yer horn if you love the footy in Vietnam.

Last week, Philip Murphy was in Melbourne and caught up with a few Hawthorn greats: Graham Arthur – 1961 Premiership Captain; Alan Jeans – Premiership Coach 1983 , 1986 1989; and Alan Joyce Premiership Coach 1988 1991.

Phil writes:

A great lunch and “Yabby” Jeans still speaks about the game with so much passion. He could still coach. Happened to be sitting on their table.

His insights today about what went on behind the scenes in the 1989 Grand Final build up, match day preparation, the moment Dermie (Brereton) went down, that he only had 13 fit players at half-time and how he got them up is just fantastic to hear. Could have listened to these guys all day.

He said of Dermie, “It’s now how he went down its how he got up… ”

Loved it guys.

All good at the beginning, middle and end of the day.

1. Friday, 3 July: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

First Drink for Free (beer, soft drink, water, smoothie, mixed spirit, hot drink).

Bowl of chips per table to get the night started.

2. Saturday, 4 July, 9.30am – 11am – Footy Training

Put what you learnt Friday night into action under LONG BIEN BRIDGE. AFL Football’s most surreal training venue, and it’s all ours!

9.30am – be there to warm up. Training starts in earnest at 10am.

BYO Water.

20,000VND  per person ground hire.

If you get onto the Bridge and look down to your right, you’ll see a small soccer ground on the island. If you can’t see it, call Micky J. on 0904 408 193.

3. Sunday, 4 July: 2:00pm – 5:00pm

First Drink for Free (beer, soft drink, water, smoothie, mixed spirit, hot drink).

Bowl of chips per table to start the match off and help Saturday night’s stomach to settle.

Where does all the footy viewing happen? Culi Café at 40 Luong Ngoc Quyen in the Old Quarter (50metres west of Bia Hoi Corner). The Culi Café is the “Café above the Laundromat”.

Due to its location, as a special treat, Micky J is saying: “FREE Comfort added to wash cycle to help soften your footy jumper so that you don’t scratch your opponent”.

But there’s a condition: Offer only applies if washing is done during televised matches or if your name is B***y H**l (No, Willie, it’s not Benny Hill!).

Last Saturday in Hanoi, the Viet Celts Blue, the Vietnam Swans and a team from Malaysia played a gaelic football tourney.

Clint Lambert, former AFLer, now Gaelic Footy Tourney Director reports that:

No-one seems to know the exact score as the Viet Celts have stricken it from their memory and the Swans were too excited at winning. But, from memory, the Swans got 3 goals 2 behinds – 10 points to the Viet-Celts Whites 2 goals 3 behinds – 9 points. Game came down to the wire with the Swans size and fitness, and their strategy of swamping the forward line proving too much for the Viet Celts to handle.

But all was not completely good with Clint adding:

Those results were for third place. Malaysia won the competition beating the Viet Celts Blue by 2 points.

Making a special guest appearance for the Swans was Peter Gun from the Bali Geckos.

To see all the photos that were kindly supplied by Clint Lambert, click . To see a selection of photos of the Swans, click onto the .

Last week, Vietnam Swans National President, Phil Johns, sent out the following update email on all things happening around the Club.

Dear Swannies and Supporters

Today, Laura Dundovic, Miss Australia emailed the Vietnam Swans. You may recall that we met her one year and two days ago at the New World Hotel, Saigon, for a photo shoot? Laura wrote, “It was lovely  meeting you all in Vietnam. Guessing you saw the photos (Ed’s note: Ah, yeah… we sort’ve noticed them)? They were great.”  She says she has also heard about some of the Swans off-field work such as raising money for the victims of the Australian bushfires and would like to know more.

Today, the Sydney Swans published an article about the Vietnam Swans match in Thailand on Anzac Day. A photo of Drew, in the ruck, appeared on the . It was linked to a story, “Vietnam Swans honour the fallen” which can be found .

Today, Wayne Driver, an Auskick coach for the Canning Vale Cougars in Western Australia wrote to the Vietnam Swans. He said, “I am writing to see if it is possible to obtain any posters etc of the Vietnam Swans Team to use as incentive prizes for our Auskick Teams and to also show the children that Australian Rules Football has been taken to other countries.” Accordingly, we have forwarded the artwork to him of the Vietnam Swans Auskick Poster, Anzac Day Match Banner and Bushfire Match Banner.

Today, the CEO of the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League wrote to the Vietnam Swans to say that they will hold a “small function at Woori Yallock this Saturday at 12.15 for an ex board member who lost a lot in the bushfires. The YVMDFL Board & key people will be there.   It would be great if you can come so we can also recognise the Vietnam Swans contribution to the Black Saturday bushfire fund raising efforts.”

Yesterday, the Vietnam Swans received an email from HCMC’s former Austrade Commissioner, Kev Dacey, asking if there is “any chance of getting a gig as a goal umpire with the Swannies if I can juggle the travel dates” for the Asian Championships in KL on 5 September? Sure can!

Over the last week, we have been working hard to finalise sponsorship deals for our 2009/10 Club jumper. Expect Linfox and Pest Free to both figure prominently in the pending announcement.

Over the last couple of weeks, the following footy matches have been confirmed/scheduled/proposed:

• 26 June, Hanoi – GAA Cup, the Viet Celts Vs Vietnam Swans (Gaelic Football match)
• 8 August, Hanoi – Vietnam Swans Vs Lao Elephants
• 5 September, Kuala Lumpur – The 10^th Annual Asian Championships
• 31 October, Manila – The Philippine Eagles Vs Vietnam Swans (tbc)
• 28 November, Bangkok – The Indochina Cup
• North Vs South match, Hoi An – tbc

In the last couple of weeks, the Vietnam Swans in Hanoi have secured a new training ground – an island in the middle of the Red River next to the Long Bien railway bridge! Bring that on.

Encouraging discussions and negotiations with various parties are continuing with respect to establishing a swimming program that will teach children how to swim. Each year in Vietnam, drownings account for more fatalities among children than road accidents.

Good luck to the Swannies participating in Hanoi’s Gaelic football match on Saturday!

Honk yer horn if you love the footy.

Tomorrow at midday in Hanoi at UNIS, the Vietnam Swans will be trying some of their Irish luck with a spot of gaelic football against the Vietnam Celts.

The weather will be stinkin’ hot but the boys will be pumpin’ to perform strongly.

A key organiser of tomorrow’s event is Ben from Jafa Bar & Restaurant who always does a sensational job for the boys after training.

Also, for those in Hanoi wanting to watch the AFL footy on the small screen tonight (Ess V Carlton, 6 -9pm) and Sunday (Geelong V Port Adeliade, 11.30am – 2.30pm), try the Culi Cafe at 40 Luong Ngoc Quyen in the Old Quarter. Culi is offering:

First drink for free (beer, soft drink, water, smoothie, mixed spirit, hot drink) and a bowl of chips per table to get the night started.

Yesterday, Miss Australia, Laura Dundovic, contacted the Vietnam Swans. It was the first time we had heard from Laura for one year and two days. On 21 June last year, a few of the Vietnam Swans caught up with Laura at the New World Hotel in Saigon for a photo shoot. Laura, as the reigning Miss Australia was in Vietnam for the Miss Universe pageant. Below is her email:

Hi Boys!

How are you going?

How is the season going??

Was lovely meeting you all in Vietnam! Guessing you saw the photos? They were great!

I hear you are doing a bit of charity work also? Fill me in!

Hope you are well!

Kind Regards, Laura Dundovic

Laura was a sensation and the Vietnam Swans were extremely pleased that she was the one to represent our country in the Miss Universe competition. Incidentally, we did happen to notice the photos that she refers to above. To see them, have a look at