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 www.thevietnamswans.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!