Ali Hoover, Amy Cowan and Grant Keys
The Swannies have used their successful Grand Final parties in Hanoi, Hoi An and Saigon to expand their community partnerships right across the country.
In Hanoi, thanks largely to the support of Grand Final Day sponsors VIP Bikes, the Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake Hotel and Red Apron wines, the Swannies were able to raise over 61 million vnd, with 20% of proceeds being donated to The intiMate Initiative, a new and exciting social enterprise that that promotes sexual health education and gender equality in Vietnam.
Representatives from the Swans, Ali Hoover and Amy Cowan from the Intimate Initiative and Andrew Souto from VIP Bikes gathered in Hanoi this week to hand over 12.5m VND to The intiMate Initiative, forging a new partnership for the Swans in the north of the country. Having only recently signed contracts to begin life as a fully legally registered company, The intiMate Initiative will put to funds to good use in helping them establish operations in Vietnam.
“I’d like to express my utmost gratitude on behalf of The intiMate Initiative. What wonderful news! We’re very excited about this donation and will start using it as soon as possible to fund the translation of our blog into Vietnamese and the establishment of an official website.” said intiMate Initiative founder Amy Cowan.
Andrew Souto from VIP Bikes (right) with Evan Spencer
A large portion of the funds raised were through the auction of a magnificently restored Honda 67 motorbike, donated by long-running Hanoi-based Social Enterprise VIP Bikes. Andrew Souto from VIP Bikes and his mechanic Mr Thuong were also on hand yesterday to present the keys to Hanoi Swans Auskick Dad Evan Spencer.
“VIP Bikes are pleased to support footy development in Vietnam and we are stoked that the auction was such a success raising heaps of cash for these great causes” Andrew Souto said.
Grand Final parties in Saigon and Hoi An also raised considerable sums through well supported ticket sales, auctions and raffles.
In Saigon, around 200 people gathered at Game On! to watch the Hawkies smash the Eagles, with over US$4,800 being raised to assist the Swans local football development and community initiatives such as the Swim Vietnam’s “Swim Teacher of the Month” program. Money was raised through raffles, games and auctions, with some of the great items on offer including AFL collectors items (thanks to Sydney Swans, Hawthorn, Geelong, Melbourne Demons, North Melbourne and Geelong), a fixed-speed bike courtesy of The Bike Shop VN, and a gas BBQ generously donated by Saigon BBQs.
Gavin Crossley of Saigon BBQs (saigonbbqs.com) with lucky winner Carmel Leonard.
While at 3 Dragons in Hoi An, VND6million was also donated to Swim Vietnam thanks to the effort of local Swanny legend Michael Johnston.
Swans National President Grant Keys was delighted with the fundraising initiatives across the country. “Grand Final day has traditionally been our big fundraiser of the year and its awesome to see the whole club pull together to put on the best Grand Final parties in the North, Central and South of the country. The Swannies have a great tradition of supporting and giving back to our communities and the money raised from these events will do exactly that.
“While supporting charities such as Swim Vietnam, The intiMate Initiative, The Centre for Social Protection of Children:Vung Tau Orphanage and Association Xuan are part of the Swannies fabric, one of my big hopes is to see more Vietnamese kids in Swannies jumpers and this money will be a massive boost for our local development initiatives.
Swannie Tuan Nhan starred in the locals game at Champs
“We are seeing great growth in the sport from local players playing the game in China, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia and the Philippines and we don’t want to be left behind in this regard. The AFL have just given AFL Asia the nod to enter a combined IndoChina team at the 2017 International Cup in Australia, so we want to see some Vietnamese representatives in this team.
“The idea of a “Swans Academy” is being thrown around and our close relationship with RMIT University could provide a great foundation to take this concept forward in both Saigon and Hanoi. We will be appointing a Head of Local Football Development on the new Committee to progress this over the next year, but funds have already been earmarked for this.
“We want to help introduce the game of Aussie Rules football to more Vietnamese youth, but we can see from other AFL Asia Clubs already doing this, there will be substantial ongoing funding required to help support these guys train and travel to games around the region and hopefully to Australia for the International Cup in 2017.”
Check out some great images from the Hanoi event courtesy of Word Vietnam here
The Vietnam Swans would like to sincerely thank all the sponsors and supporters that helped make the three Grand Final Parties such a great success.
Hanoi – VIP Bikes, The Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake Hotel, Red Apron Wines, Wide Eyed Tours, Hanoi Apple Travel, The Republic, The Moose and Roo, Puma, Oasis, Haven Beachfront Guesthouse Central Vietnam, Motion Fitness, Australia Plus, Kamil NV Fitness, Vespa Adventures, Vespa Adventures, Sue Cowan Coaching, Cousins, Amato, the Australian Embassy Hanoi, Commonwealth Bank, UNIS Hanoi.
Saigon – Sydney Swans Football Club, Hawthorn Football Club, Geelong Football Club, New Balance, North Melbourne Football Club, Geelong Football Club, The Bike Shop VN, Saigon BBQs, The Caravelle, Pullman Hotel, Game On, New World Hotel, Intercontinental Asiana Hotel, Haven Beachfront Guesthouse, Vietnam Vespa Adventures, Pitchers Sports Bar & Grill, Australia, Exile Ink, Au Lac Do, Expat Tax, Al Frescos, Paintball Saigon, Harley Davidson Saigon, California Fitness, SOS International, Tequila Bar, Nutrifort Fitness, D2 Sportspub, Jaspas, Cheesecake Ngon.
Hoi An – 3 Dragons Sports Bar Gastropub, Haven Beachfront Guesthouse, Vespa Adventures
Images from Grand Final parties in Hanoi and Saigon:
