National President of the Vietnam Swans, Phil Johns, announced last Friday the exciting news that Nick Shiells has been elected Saigon President and that Mega Bretta Jotta will become our first ever Saigon Vice President.

Dear Swannies

It is my great pleasure to announce that the results of the 2013 election for Saigon President and Vice President following the departure of incumbent, Sam Conroy, who has moved on to the USA.

Nick Shiells, a previous member of both the coaching panel and the Saigon Committee, picked up two thirds of the vote and therefore becomes our new Saigon President.

Polling very strongly to pick up the remaining third was the dynamo, Brett Jotta who becomes Saigon’s first Vice President.

This is the first time that Saigon has had an election between two candidates which reflects the  growing interest in what this club is achieving on and off the field.

Mega Bretta Jotta will be able to weave his magic as Saigon’s first Vice President.

Nick and Brett follow on from our first Saigon Prez who played a key role in setting up the Club in Saigon (after moving down from the Hanoi Swans) back in 2007, Scott Stacey.

Then there was Derrin Limbrick – followed by Sammy Conroy, of course. Lurking always in the background, playing key roles, have been Danny Armstrong and now Rowan Luke as our treasurers.

All are big names for the Swannies in Saigon in our relatively short history. They are big names that have also been central to the Swannies at the national level.

Nick and Bretta will now join them.

In the previous 10 days, we have seen Nick’s and Brett’s energy and ideas for where they want to take the Club. Both are extremely competent and capable people who will add a lot to the direction of the club and the drive to get us there.

Our Hanoi President, Dan Hopkins, all of our members across the country and myself very much look forward to working closely with Nick and Brett as we continue the proud tradition of continually taking this Club to the next level. With the strong support of everyone at the Club, as evidenced in the voting in Saigon, this is extremely achievable.

Congratulations again, Nick and Brett. And, as always, Go you Swannies!!