Rick Trewavas was one of the quiet architects of Australian Rules football in Asia — a passionate football man whose influence stretched from Indonesia to Vietnam and whose legacy continues to shape the game across the region. Rick played a foundational role in early expatriate footy in Jakarta, helping establish the embryonic football community that would later become the Jakarta Bintangs, and later brought that same energy and spirit to Hanoi in the formative years of the Vietnam Swans.

After arriving in Hanoi following a decade in Indonesia, Rick helped inspire what became the original Hanoi Swans. Those early gatherings around Hanoi’s Pepperonis helped spark a club that would go on to become a central force in Asian football. Rick remained deeply connected to the Swans long after leaving Vietnam, proudly following the club’s growth, fundraising and community spirit from Australia and his beloved Broadbeach Cats  where he was a life member.

A fierce football romantic, loyal South Melbourne man and champion of the “Bloods” spirit, Rick faced a long battle with cancer with characteristic stoicism and humour. So valued was his contribution that the Vietnam Swans created the Rick Trewavas Medal, initially awarded in Cambodia fixtures to honour courage, commitment and the values he embodied on and off the field, this medal has gone on tobe one awarded annually for players player as voted by the players themselves. For many in Asian footy, Rick represented something larger than football: generosity, resilience, mateship and an enduring belief that communities could be built around the game.

Club stalwart, original Swan and sponsor Mick Francis had this to say:
“Rick Trewavas brought the Bloods (South Melbourne) spirit to life with his vivid recollections of the fierce passion and determination of past bloods eras. That spirit and passion that Rick shared was why we named the Hanoi Swans Clubman medal in his name. He showed the same qualities through his life which had a significant impact on the lives he touched here in Hanoi. Rest In Peace Rick.”

Rick Trewavas leaves behind a lasting imprint on the Vietnam Swans, Asian Australian Rules football, and the many teammates, friends and football wanderers fortunate enough to share in his story.

Rest in Peace Rick, from the Swannies family.