The 2018 season is almost finished… just one more opportunity to play footy before we break for Christmas!

Its been a huge season for the Swans. The debut for the Lady Swans and a win at Asian Champs, a return to form for the Swans lads, the largest touring squads the Swans have ever seen, an inaugural AFL-X tournament in Saigon… and now, the second AFL-X tournament for 2018 in Hanoi.

Cambodian Cobras at Saigon AFLX

After the mistake of inviting the Khmer lads to Saigon’s AFL-X tournament, Hanoi will be an all-Vietnam competition! 

Saturday the 8th of December will be a huge day for the Swans. AFL-X throughout the day, the AGM and the Presentation Night!

Read on for more details…

Hanoi’s First AFL-X Tournament

Six teams will contest Hanoi’s first AFL-X Tournament. AFL-X is the smaller, shorter and faster version of Australian Rules Football and its ideal for playing on soccer/rugby fields. It’s also much easier to learn!

A huge thanks to Jack and Nini over at Ninja Ink Tattoo Studio for the designs for the playing jumpers!

AFLX Hanoi Playing Jumper Designs

Teams will be mixed 9-a-side (on the field) and a few substitutes. The teams are as follows:

  • Cau Giay Crabs – Mentor Kerro, Captain Crazy
  • Hoan Kiem Herons – Mentor Tracey, Captain Jake
  • Ho Tay Turtles – Mentor Dan Lucardie, Captain Tommy Delaney
  • Ba Dinh Buffalos – Mentor Micky Francis, Captain Lachlan Stark
  • Long Bien Langur – Mentor Travvy Fennell, Captain Pottsy
  • Phu Thuong Pangolins – Mentor Fabbo, Captain Trung

The draft for the teams will be taking place in Hanoi on Friday the 16th of November, with team mentors and captains in attendance.

The tournament will be held at My Dinh. The Club will arrange a bus and from the ground. The draw for the day is below:

AFL-X Hanoi Tournament Draw

Games will be two 10-minute halves (or thereabouts), with a short break in between. Good luck!

Swan’s Presentation Night

The 2018 Swans Presentation Night will be a casual affair from 7 to 10pm at Turtle Lake Brewery. It’s an opportunity for the playing group, family and friends to get to know the key supporters of the club and for the Swannies family to continue to develop the strong bond that has been formed this year.

It’s also traditional that the Club makes several awards. With the arrival of the Lady Swans, there is more trophies on offer than ever before:

  • Club Person of the year
  • Best and Fairest and R/U Best and Fairest
  • Best Local Player
  • Player’s Player (as voted by the players!)
  • Coach’s Award
  • President’s Award
  • Most Improved

Annual General Meeting

The presentation night will be preceded by the Club’s AGM from 6pm-7pm. The main focus of this meeting is the nomination (and if required, election) of committee members for next year. It’s an important decision that allows the new committee to get right into planning for 2019.

2019 is already shaping up as a huge year, and the Club needs you! Items on the agenda for 2019

  • Sponsorship renewals and a new playing kit to be released
  • Second year of the Lady Swans and a Title defence
  • The 10th year of the ANZAC Friendship Match in Vung Tau, with 40 diggers already confirmed to come over
  • Another great touring schedule, with 5 or so international tours likely
  • The addition of a Masters team, with games likely in Phuket and Bali
  • Another roaring AFL Grand Final weekend in Vietnam

Nominations for positions will be called for. Some of the current committee will be again putting themselves forward for positions, but any paid up member is able to nominate someone for a position and have that person seconded. In the event that 2 people are nominated for a position, then a vote of those in attendance at the AGM will take place.

The relevant positions are:

  • President: incumbent is Eric Kerrison and is standing again
  • VP – Financial Operations: newly titled role, but current role is held by Shane MacFarlane
  • VP – Communications: newly titled role, but current role is shared by Bill Crang and James Bairstow
  • Football Operations Manager: currently maintained by Chia Sabbatucci
  • Events Manager: currently not overseen by any one individual
  • Administration Manager: currently not overseen by any on individual

There will be other roles sought after the above positions have been filled and the Executive and Operational Committees have had an opportunity to discuss what is required, once this has been done, then nominations will be sought for these roles.

Anybody who is interested in being on the committee in some form is strongly encouraged to let the group know during the AGM or by contacting the President beforehand.

What Do I Do Now?

Real simple:

  • Block out the 8th of December in your diary.
  • If you’re not in Hanoi, get a flight to Hanoi.
  • If you’re a current player, get your vote in for Players Player!
  • If you want to play in Hanoi, nominate for the AFL-X teams ASAP. Speak to the Swans in your city (Hanoi or Saigon).
  • If you want to assist the Club next year, reach out to the Club via facebook or by speaking to the Swans in your city.

It’ll be a great day and we hope to see you there. With the generous support of our sponsors, costs for the full day are being kept to an absolute minimum. For financial members of the Vietnam Swans, the cost will be 500,000 VND, this includes your AFL-X playing jumper, water/beer at the ground for the AFLX and then free-flow beers/basic spirits and food at the Presentation Night. For non-financial members the cost will be 1,000,000 VND.