1966 – 1971   |   1998 – 2000   |   2001   |   2003   |   2003 – 2006   |   2007   |   2008   |   2009   |   2010   |   2011 |   2012 |   2013 |   2014 |   2015 |   2016 |   2017 |   2018 |   2019 |   2020

1966 – 1971 – The War Years

The Vietnam Football League

Australian Rules Football was played in Vietnam during the Vietnam War, with the first known match played in May 1966 at Nui Dat between members of the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment

A fully-fledged competition with premierships was conducted in 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970 & 1971 in Vung Tau. In most of these years there were two seasons and thus two premierships. Most of the Australian Units based at Vung Tau during the war competed in the competition. Up to seven teams competed at any one time, with the competition fierce and of a high standard.

Units that competed in the competition over those years were:

• 2 Composite Ordnance Depot (1967, changed to 2AOD in 1968)
• 2AOD (2nd Advance Ordnance Depot)
• 17 Construction Squadron (Engineers)
• 1 Field Hospital / 8 Field Ambulance (Australian Army Hospital)
• RAAF
• 5 Company RAASC
• 102 Field Workshops
• 110 Signals

There may have been other units for some season as well.

The standard of football in the Vietnam Football League was very high. This was mostly due to the high quality of the “Nashos” drafted into the army! The competition was fierce! Rivalry between units was intense!

Many of the players were National Servicemen and extremely good footballers. Some of the better-known players were Wayne Closter (Geelong), Bill Thompson & Greg Perry (both Essendon), Rod Pope (West Adelaide, Norwood & SA State player) and former VFL Umpire Glenn James.

The base was closed down six years later in March ’72 when the last of the Australian soldiers returned home. Footy was last played in 1971.

1966 – The First Game

Footy first commenced in Vung Tau when one digger (Private John Heaney, a “Nasho” from 1 Transport Platoon RAASC) was in trouble with his Commanding Officer. The CO gave him an option (actually two options): organize a game of Aussie Rules Footy or face detention and other penalties!

John thought about it for a second and chose the first option. Thus the first game of Aussie Rules footy was played in Vung Tau during the latter part of 1966.

Early football in Vietnam: Vung Tau in 1966 or 1967 – Kevin Lewin

1967 – The Vietnam Football League Emerges

A full scale competition was then organized between the various Australian units based in Vung Tau. It commenced in 1967. There were two premiership seasons played most years. The competition was known as the VFL (Vietnam Football League)!

In the early days of the VFL, most games were played at what is now known as “San Van Don Lam Son” Stadium (now with a Greyhound Racing Track). Unbelievably, this is the same venue that the annual ANZAC Friendship Match is now played.

The ground was fondly known as The Lord Mayor’s Oval by the Australian diggers! As it was a soccer ground, games were played with 14 a side when playing there. No forward or back flanks! Other games were played at the Military Academy (also a soccer field) and later on at a much larger ground near the Vung Tau Airbase.

Trophy Presentation to the First Premiers of the VFL, the RAAF – Barrie Thomas Burril Ward

In 1967, the first of the premierships was won by the RAAF. Ron Vernon who with his wife Ailsa Vernon spends considerable time each year in Vung Tau helping with the orphanages at Vung Tau and Long Hai was a member of that very team. A very strong 2 Composite Ordinance Depot team was decimated before the finals when most of their players went on strike and did not play in the finals!

The second season in 1967 was won by 5 Company RAASC (Service Corp). Terry Holden and a close friend of Phil Fabbo Johns as a member of that premiership team.

1968 – The Vietnam Football League Emerges

In 1968, both Premierships were won by a brilliant Ordnance team 2AOD (2nd Advanced Ordnance Depot). On each occasion they defeated the 17 Construction Squadron. Led by their outstanding captain Bob McKenna, the late Tommy Perks, Micky Miller, Dick Johnston, Kevin Judge (cousin of Ken, former Hawthorn player and coach of Hawthorn and West Coast), Steve Costelow, George Soumilas, John Meehan (brother of Simon, ex St Kilda) and many other excellent footballers. The coach was Merv Rudd. The footballer from those teams have been the focal point of reunions held every two years since 1998. Laurie Chick (brother of former Carlton Vice Captain, John Chick) also played in some of these games.

1969 – Construction Squadron Foils 2AOD (Briefly)

The first of the 1969 premierships was won by 17 Construction Squadron (Engineers). 2AOD’s run came to an end in the preliminary final or, more so the night before that final, when all of their star players in the team ignored Captain John Meehan’s instructions to keep of the grog before the big game. A number of 2AOD diggers had their send off party (before returning to Australia) on that night. Everyone got ‘blind’ except John!

In the second season of 1969, 2AOD returned to the winners’ list but not without a brutal struggle against 17 Construction Squadron. 2AOD’s Captain was Wayne Closter (former Geelong star). In the other team was a brilliant and tough Aboriginal footballer, Glenn James. Glenn later became a very popular VFL umpire and officiated in two VFL Grand Finals. As there was no trial by video in those days, Glenn was given the job of taking out Wayne Closter at the opening bounce. He did this to perfection and Wayne was useless for the first 3 quarters. At three quarter time the scores were level! Wayne finally came good and kicked 5 goals in the last quarter, to bring 2AOD home. Wayne and Glenn laugh about it now whenever they see each other but Wayne was not impressed at the time!

2AOD Premiers for the 2nd season of the 1969 VFL – Unknown Photographer.

A social game was also organised in 1969 by Captain Bill McMahon. This “Diggers” vs “The Rest” was played with Vietnamese soldiers in August 1969 at the headquarters of the Free World Military Assistance Organisation in Saigon.

1970 – 2AOD Add Another Trophy

In 1970, the 2nd Premiership was won by 2AOD. They beat 5 Company RAASC in the Grand Final.

This team was captained by John Huggins (whose son is now married to the daughter of Steve Costelow a premiership player in the second 1968 2AOD premiership team). This team included Bill Thompson who played with Essendon (VFL), Williamstown & Dandenong (VFA) and was a Liston Trophy winner in the VFA. Some other stars were Peter Maloney, Frank Reynders and many others.

Greg Perry (who played with Essendon) also played with the 110 Signals team that year. Interestingly Greg and I played cricket together at Stawell (Victoria) in the summer of 1965-66 before I was called up for National Service in July 1966. Greg was a tear away opening bowler and I was the wicketkeeper and opening batsman.

We are not sure who won the other premiership, or if there was one!

1970 – Games Also Played in Nui Dat!

There were other games played in 1970. There was at least one contest between 110 Signal Squadron and 104 Signal Squadron one being played at the Military Academy at Vung Tau and a little later another between two Nui Dat based units of 104 Signal Squadron and 106 Field Workshops on a pretty rough ground at the Reinforcement Wing at the Dat.

Lance Corporal Ian Granland of 104 Signal Squadron organised a game of Australian Football at Nui Dat in 1970, with the following description providing a good insight:

“There weren’t too many grounds of a suitable size on which the game could be played, but luckily it was learned that there was one within the Task Force Area in the area of 1 Australian Reinforcement Unit.

Lance corporal Geoff Morris and Granland did a recce and located the ground. It was big enough for Australian Football and it even had posts erected but the grass literally ranged from 20 cm to 1m in height. That meant that it would have to be cut!

In the meantime Granland organised a game against 106 Field Workshops.

Next job was to locate a slasher. Word of mouth informed the two that 105 Field Battery had an old Massey Ferguson Tractor with which they used to tow their guns around, plus a slasher.

Permission to use it for mowing the ground was given. Morris became the driver and the machine was driven over to the field and he began driving it round and round. He got the grass down reasonably short but certainly not bowling green stuff however good enough. The mowing had to be done the day before the game because any earlier and the grass would have grown significantly enough to require another cut.

This was pre centre square and 50m arcs so a hand mower was used for the goal squares, centre circle and boundary.

Lance Corporal Granland umpired the game.

The players turned up in their Land Rovers and trucks. What jumpers they wore is still a mystery but it certainly wasn’t ‘skins v shirts’. There were players of all ages, size and shape and some bloody good footballers amongst them too. A photograph of this game would be a gem today.

104 Signal Squardron won the game. The umpire copped a bit of abuse from the opposition but that was par for the course. It was in the days of the one central umpire.

The out of bounds on the full rule had only just been introduced and of course it was applied. Some of the older heads were not too happy but recognized that it had become a law of the game. Many of the blokes who had probably been pretty fair footballers in their youth but now in their late thirties or so they were no match for youth and speed. Some of these tried to slow the youngsters down by wacking them but the umpire was on top of that.

There was no function after the match or anything, just back to the units. But, it was a good relief because obviously everyone who played etc. just loved the game.”

1971 – 2AOD Claim Fifth Premiership!

We believe there was only one premiership played for in 1971, in which 2AOD, captain/coached by Bill Thompson, beat 110 Signals in the Grand Final. 110 Sigs was captained/coached by Greg Perry. Grey however won the Best and Fairest with Bill runner up. That we understand was the last VFL Grand Final played in Vietnam! Bill and Greg are both great mates now and always attend Essendon Past Players functions together.

2AOD, premiers in 1971. Photo by Bill Thompson.

More Information on the Vietnam Football League

The Vietnam Swans are very grateful for Stan Middleton’s efforts to document the history of the Vietnam Football League. For more information:

• Stan Middleton, Official History of the VFL (Vietnam Football League), http://boylesfootballphotos.net.au/article54-Official-History-of-the-VFL-Vietnam-Football-League-1966-1971#Introduction
• Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_rules_football_in_Asia#Vietnam_War_era
• To see an album of footy in Vietnam during the Vietnam War, see here – http://tinyurl.com/8lsdhug

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1998 – 2000 – The Rebirth

Footy was back in Vietnam in 1998 when the Saigon Saints and the Hanoi Hawks (aka ‘the Bloody Army’) formed to play in what is believed to be the first ever Aussie Rules football tournament in Asia, sponsored by Fosters in conjunction with the opening of the Fosters brewery in Saigon.

Joined by Thailand and Hong Kong, the four-team tournament in June 1998 was played at the Saigon South International School.

Hong Kong would defeat Saigon in the final game, with Thailand beating Hanoi in the consolation final. AFL Asia legend Julian “Rooster” Clark credits himself with kicking “the first ever democratic goal on communist soil” in his appearance for Thailand in that tournament.

Mark Seymour (Hunters & Collectors) headlined the after party with free-flow Fosters being dished out along with a BBQ. A big crowd attended with much of Saigon’s expat community enjoying the day. No surprises that the Saturday night hotel rooms (also sponsored by Fosters) reportedly didn’t fare too well…

The infamous Bloods vs Dragons all-inner

Later in the year the Hong Kong Dragons would return to Vietnam, this time to play ‘The Bloods’ in the first ever Aussie Rules International in Hanoi, which would also be the Hawks’ first and only home game in the old Hawks uniform. In a fiery encounter, the Bloods came out swinging against the Dragons to such an extent that old timers were quoted as saying, “I haven’t seen a battle like that since 1971!”

This from Hong Kong Dragon Legend “Farm”:

“Our full forward who was about 130kgs flattened one of the Hawks players. Wayne I think the Hawk was – he was one of the organizers. The ball had gone out of bounds and Wayne had followed it over and relaxed when he unexpectedly got flattened. Very unsporting from our guy, but fortunately Wayne was ok. We talked about that for years and when we went back next in 2003 it was mentioned again!”

Also not faring too well was the Hanoi Hawks: “Not only did we lose the game but we lost all the jumpers which virtually wiped the club from the pages of history. With a 0 – 2 record, support waning and a membership of 3, the new club was in trouble – all in its first year!”

Hong Kong’s successes in Vietnam prompted the Dragons claim of being Asian AFL Champions, much to the disdain of the Singapore Wombats, who according to Rooster “had been invincible in the previous 12 months, even smashing a very professional New Zealand outfit at Marrara in Darwin (the size of Waverley) by 4-1-25 to 1-18-24 whilst massively hungover.”

This added momentum to the developing idea of getting a proper Asian AFL Championships tournament, leading to the 1999 Asian AFL Championships being planned for Jakarta. However, when Australian interests in Indonesia were put on alert due to the East Timor Independence movement, the tournament moved to Bangkok and was renamed the “4 Nations Cup”.

So, whilst the Asian AFL Championships were probably going to happen anyway, that first Fosters tournament in Saigon did add a lot of momentum and interest to the idea.

While Vietnam was not represented at the 4 Nations Cup, later in 1999, the Hanoi Hawks and Saigon Saints would combine forces as the Vietnam Saints for the first ever international tour by a Vietnamese team to take on the Thailand Tigers in Bangkok. Thailand easily accounted for the tourists who were not as professional a unit as Thailand, making the most of Bangkok’s nightlife on the Friday night before the match. This time (while playing for Vietnam), Rooster was able to claim kicking “the first ever communist goal on democratic soil”.

In late 1999 the Singapore Wombats toured Vietnam once again to take on the “Vietnam Saints” in Saigon. Mark Beretta from Channel 7 would tour with Singapore, with the Wombats’ preparations, tour and match featuring on Channel 7 in Australia.

Once again from the big Rooster: “Not quite the same sized crowd as the original tournament – but plenty of support for Singapore… we had a cyclo race from some bizarre place back to the Huong Sen Hotel, and the champion endurance rider should have won it when he put the driver in the basket & took the pedals himself… he got out in front, but the driver then directed him the wrong way in order to show off to his neighborhood that he had a foreigner working for him. Anyway – the Cyclo Drivers were all paid $1 to turn up the following day & chant whatever we told them to chant… they duly turned up & chanted very well supporting the Wombats (it may have cost us more in beer than the $1 appearance fee).”

That would be the last game ever played under the “Vietnam Saints” banner.

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2001 – Pepperonis Pizza Parlour / ABC Asia Pacific TV

The year was 2001, the footy was back on the TV, the beer was cold, the Hanoi Hawks had a home on the roof top. Mic Francis’ Pepperonis Pizza oven was on the ground floor – and the people came. The footy panel began, footy tipping comps mushroomed and Hanoi wanted to play again.

Andy Wall brought in some new jumpers, which happened to be those of the Sydney Swans. Rick Trewavas, a mad Bloods supporter, seized the day and named the clubrooms after his idol, “Bobby Skilton” (Skilts is still hunting him). The panel was rockin’ and the supporter base was growing. The Hanoi Swans were away!
New name, new team, new desire, and their only goal was to play in the Asian Champs.

For the next 2 years the Hanoi Swans practised eating pizza, drinking cold beer and watching footy on the tele.

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2003 – Big Bucks, Big Difference

In a coup, Hanoi would recruit the Bogor “Kainey” Flyer (Dave Kainey), a Lifetime Member of the Jakarta Bintangs, to share his secrets about loyalty to one’s team and “the cause”. He instilled in the Hanoians a discipline for regular training before some of the drinking sessions.

In late 2003, the Hanoi boys would throw caution to the wind and jumped in at the deep end, finally launching the Hanoi Swans as a going concern, entering the team in a tri-nations tournament against the Thailand Tigers and Hong Kong Dragons in Thailand.

History recorded the Swans debut as a brave but plucked performance.

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2003 – 2006 – Hanoi Swans on the rise – and fall?

Between 2003 and 2006, the Hanoi Swans were hosting internationals and travelling to neighbouring countries for their footy fix, even managing a few victories.

Hanoi Swans games included:

• November 2003: hosting the “Foster’s Hanoi Invitational Cup” at Thanh Long Industrial Park, a 3-way tournament between the Swans, Hong Kong Dragons and Thailand Tigers, won by the Dragons.
• May 2005: travel to Kuala Lumpur for a friendly against the Malaysian Warriors, where the Swans lost 10-6-66 to 5-7-37.
• December 2005: Narrow home loss to the Thailand Tigers at the My Dinh National Stadium training ground 7-6-48 to 8-6-54
• March 2006: Home loss to the Malaysian Warriors at UNIS
• March 2006: Home win against the Jakarta Bintangs at UNIS 6-7-43 to 2-4-16
• May 2006: Loss to the Thailand Tigers in Bangkok
• October 2006 – Night game under lights at Xuan La vs CARE AFL All-stars (inc Clark Keating and Craig Starcevich from Collingwood)

It was all good – but there were worrying signs. With a small pool of players, it was becoming increasingly difficult to get the required number of players to travel. And if they wanted to continue hosting a regular stream of home games, there needed to be returning tours.

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2007 – The Swans go National and become the Vietnam Swans

In 2007, the switch was on and Hanoi went to the fat side of the country to court Miss Saigon. In April the Hanoi Swans would travel south to play against a Saigon team who would play in the Saigon Gecko’s Rugby jumpers. While Hanoi would win this game 53 to 99, it provided an opportunity to create new friendships, recruit new players and build for a new future.

Soon thereafter, a new National Club would emerge, with a National Committee formed to provide the newly named Vietnam Swans with a bigger player pool and bigger possibilities. Bring it on! And they did.

Inaugural Vietnam Swans Asian Champs Squad at the 2007 Asian Champs in Bangkok

It was the 2007 Asian Championships, which provided the stage for the debut of the new National Club. It was a major milestone for the Club. Finally, we were at the Asian Championships. All the big pizzas, bold plotting and pleasant beers at Pepperonis hadn’t been in vain. The Pepperonis’ Panel of Pumper, Bubbles and Potsy were proud that they had inspired us to greatness. And we had Jim Beam on board as a sponsor! How could we go wrong?

The Swans played four games through their first Champs appearance and despite leading at half time in three of the matches were unable to post the first Champs win, which was eventually won by Hong Kong. Photos Report

Fresh from their showing at the Champs, the Swans would return to Vietnam for a game against the Hong Kong Dragons and the “Tri Nations Tournament” in Hanoi, a three game series between the Swans, the newly formed Laos Elephants and the Thailand Tigers, which would become the predecessor to the IndoChina Cup. Following a narrow victory against the boys in pink 5. 2. 32 to 3. 5. 23, Thailand would take home the choccies, beating the Swans 3. 3. 21 to 13. 7. 85 in the penultimate game. Photos Report

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2008 Confidence building as Fabbo moves south

The move to the National structure was a big success, greatly increasing the size of the player pool and allowing the Swans to become genuinely more active member of the Asian footy community. If only we could agree on a new jumper…

The Saigon boys were becoming increasingly more organised and in 2008 held the inaugural Vung Tau bootcamp, which would become a regular fixture to kick off the season in following years.

In April 2008, the old Swans jerseys were dusted off once again for a “Footy Circus” in Nha Trang, where the Saints would triumph against their old rivals.

May would see the launch of the new Swannies jerseys when Hanoi hosted the Singapore Wombats to the “Lou Milicevic – Mic Francis Cup”, where the Wombats proved too tough for a very smart looking Swans outfit, although the fashion police would ensure the red shorts did not last much longer.

The boys would then take time out to officially have the new jumpers launched by Miss Australia, we had never looked better!

Despite not everyone in old Saigon fully embracing the national concept, the Vietnam Swans’ growth would continue unabated in Ho Chi Minh City, spurred on by Club President and Hanoi legend Fabulous Phil Johns’ move south. Following the devastating Black Saturday bushfires, together with the Bali Geckos, the southern arm of the Swans would successfully host a Black Saturday Bushfire Match and Fundraiser in HCMC, unfortunately going down to Bali in a tough encounter 110-89. $4300 was raised and donated to the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League, where most of the devastation happened.

In July the Swans would make their inaugural tour to Laos to play the Elephants, defeating the ‘Phants 80 to 55. Photos Report

In August Saigon would host another successful game against the visiting HMAS Anzac crew, with the Swans winners 84 to 59 in a match played in excellent spirit. Photos Report

Following massive Grand Final parties in both Hanoi and Saigon, the first time the Swans had hosted official parties in both cities, the Swans welcomed the Malaysia Warriors to a wet RMIT Saigon in October for the “Linfox-Loscam Cup”. In a sign of the progression of Vietnam football the hosts would this time run out victors by “about 7 goals”, the fist time the Swans had defeated the Warriors in 4 attempts, with a young Nathan Milner winning best on ground honours. Photos Report

November would see the inaugural IndoChina Cup tournament held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, which was also used as a send off for Hanoi and Vietnam Swans legend Scott Stacy. A first up victory to the then known Cambodian Kangas was followed up with a classic one point win against Thailand, the first ever victory against one of the Swans oldest rivals. Unfortunately for the injury depleted Swans the final game was just one too many, with the well-stocked Elephants running out comfortable winners to lift the inaugural ICC. Photos Report

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2009

In April 2009 an invitation to attend the Thailand Tigers annual Anzac Day game at Kanchanaburi was accepted. While the more experienced Tigers outfit would prevail a spirited game, with great evening of entertainment upon a riverboat on the River Kwai, the Swans would return to Vietnam with some great ideas about how to do something similar the following year.

In August the Swans were saddened to hear that well known Jakarta Bintang, Craig Senger tragically lost his life in the bombing of the Hotel Marriott in Jakarta. To help celebrate Craig’s life, the Swans hosted a memorial match against the Lao Elephants on Saturday 8th August in Hanoi, honouring Craig and other victims of the Jakarta Bombings.

In October HMAS Darwin would pay a diplomatic visit to Ho Chi Minh City with a game organised against the Swans at RMIT.

In a sign of the strong relationship between the Swans and the Jakarta Bingtangs, the Swans would pack their bags once again in November to be the first team to tour Jakarta since the hotel bombings.

The “Kainey Cup”, named after life member of the Bintangs and the man responsible for getting “football off the couch and into the paddock” in Hanoi in 2001, was won by Jakarta 14.13 (97) to 4.8 (32) in slippery conditions at Buperta Park, though the event — in keeping with the ethos of the clubs — was as much about camaraderie as competition.

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2010 – Inaugural Anzac Friendship Match

In 2010, the Swans would launch their biggest initiative to date, the Inaugural ANZAC Friendship Match in Vung Tau (near Saigon) under the banner “Two black armbands; one bright future”, which spoke volumes about the coming of age of the Australia-Vietnam relationship since the last game was played at this very ground more than 40 years prior, Vung Tau being the location for the Australian Logistics Base during the Vietnam/American War.

At this first ANZAC Friendship Match, the Vietnam Swans would reignite old internal rivalries to play a Heritage Round match between old friendly foes Hanoi and Saigon at the Dog Racing Track, formerly known as the Lord Mayor’s Oval, where the Australians played during the War back in 1967-68. Hanoi would win this encounter, although claims of skulduggery and player sharing remain to this day.

Through this game, the Swans would actively develop the relationship with the Vietnam Veterans and in July 2010, the Sydney Swans invited a number of Vietnam Swans and Vietnam Veterans to a pre match function at the MCG.

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2011

On 23 April, 2011, the Swans would take the ANZAC Friendship match to the world, inviting the Hong Kong Dragons to Vung Tau for the Inaugural ANZAC International Friendship Match. A big crowd attended this game, including many Vietnam Veterans some of whom will have played there during the War.

Highlights of 2011 included:

• Key role in raising $45,000 for victims of Queensland floods
• Support role in assisting Kiwis raise $100,000 for victims of Christchurch earthquakes
• Key role in establishing Annual Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day which, in its first year raised $25,000 to reduce the number of drownings in Vietnam.
• Raised additional $5,000 for other local charitable causes
• Played abroad in Malaysia, Bangkok and Lao
• Played matches at home in Hanoi, Saigon and Vung Tau
• Won the 3rd Annual ANZAC Friendship Match
• Had our most successful campaign yet at the Asian Champs, reaching the Semi Finals
• Won the Indochina Cup for the second consecutive year.
• Remain undefeated for each of the three Phoenix Cups we have played against the Royal Australian Navy
• Further developed relationships with Vietnam Veterans
• Forged closer relationships with Australian Consulate, Austrade and Australian Chamber of Commerce eg viewing of ANZAC Friendship Match video at Consul General’s residence with Consul General, Austrade Commissioner, Board of Auscham and Swans’ Committee in attendance.
• Recorded 85,000 hits on our website – up 32 per cent on 2010
• Received increased media coverage which included Channel 9 News and two separate articles in the Australian Football League’s (AFL’s) weekly Footy Record.
• Welcomed the Australia Network as the Official Media Sponsor for our AFL Grand Final Parties in Hanoi and Saigon
• Added our 600th name to our database
• Welcomed our 16th National Sponsor
• Unveiled our new club logo

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PROMO VIDEOS

• 7 minute video of the Swannies after winning our first tournament – the 2010 Indochina Cup in Saigon (Nov, 2010). Click here.
• 1 min 48sec promo video of the former Hanoi Swans (now Vietnam Swans). Click here to watch it on You Tube.

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2012

Coming soon

2013

Coming soon

2014

Coming soon

2015

Coming soon

2016

Coming soon

2017

Coming soon

2018

Coming soon

2019

Take a moment to check out our 2019 highlight reel, taking in:

1. A breakthrough win for the Men
2. Local development every weekend
3. Our very first all Vietnamese team!
4. Huge expansion of the footy and social program
5. Honouring some of our stalwart supporters

Read on for all the details… and we can’t wait for 2020.

1) A Breakthrough Win for the Men

What a day! After getting knocked out in the Div 2 semi against PNG (2019 Div 1 winners!), the boys finally claimed their first divisional title at the 2019 Asian Championships. The win against Thailand on their home turf sealed the result.

The men’s team has been playing decent footy for two seasons against our regular opponents around South East Asia, and the win at Asian Champs is an awesome conclusion to this phase. Read this article for all the news from the day. Congratulations to coach Rod ‘Rocket’ White, the leadership group and all the players. Special mention to Micka and Oscar, who’ve both stepped up to train the boys in the South while Rocket has been travelling.

The win means that the mens will contest the 2020 Asian Champs in Division 1. It’s a big step up!

2) Local Development Every Weekend!

Last year we were talking about a few of our legendary local players who’d been playing for a while. The Club has really gone up a gear in 2019! A committed core of volunteers and a steady stream of participants from KOTO saw regular junior development sessions.

Thanks to Trang, Menh, Eric, Mark, Keith and a huge crew of volunteers who have bought this to life. KOTO were great collaborators in the program, a partnership with PACOW helped with the financial costs , while Places2Go Travel continued their support for our established local players to tour across Asia. A special mention to past President Grant Keys who showed early leadership in this area and current President Eric ‘Kerro’ Kerrison, who has been a driving force in recent years.

3) Our Very First All-Vietnamese Team

Only 3 years ago, it would be almost unimaginable that we could field a whole footy team of Vietnamese players at a tournament… so we were pumped to announce the debut of the Ha Dong Hois, an all Vietnamese team, for AFLX Hanoi in 2019!

Congratulations to mentor Long Nguyen, co-captains Dinh Anh Nguyen and Lucy Nguyen and all the players on a successful debut!

4) Expansion of the Footy and Social Program

#AFLW debuted in 2018… and this year we stepped up local development and added a Masters team for the over 35’s! ANZAC Day was tangible proof of the growth of the footy program, with three games on the same day and a huge function that evening. AFL Grand Final Day around Vietnam saw the largest attendance in years and AFLX Hanoi was the biggest mixed footy tournament we’ve ever run!

Mens, womens and junior development on the field almost every weekend? Running the biggest mixed footy tournaments and Grand Final events that we’ve ever seen? It’s a huge ask… and our volunteers have really stepped up too!

We’re also really fortunate to have long-term sponsors who make all this possible. The financial support offered allows us to deliver a great program of footy and grow the game in Vietnam. Our sponsors are lead by:

• Vietnam Backpacker Hostels: Great backpacker accommodation and tours, with locations all over Vietnam.
• Wide Eyed Tours: Look no further for the best in tailor-made private tours of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar.
• Al Fresco’s Group: Comfortable, casual dining all across Vietnam, particularly their flagship restaurants, Jaspas.
• Beachside Boutique Resort Hoi An: The best boutique rooms, located on the beach at An Bang near Hoi An. Salt Pub right across the road!
• Expat Taxes: Our favourite Australian Chartered Accounting firm that specialises in providing tax advice and tax preparation services for Aussie expats located all around the world.
• X Digital: Website development and all your digital marketing needs are covered.
• Places2Go Travel: no-nonsense travel advice for all international travel from Australia.
• PACOW International: the very best international beef available in Vietnam.

5) Honouring Some of Our Stalwart Supporters

The Club announced a series of Life Memberships this year, recognising just some of the significant contributions that have built our Club and supported the communities that we’re a part of. You can read more about the announcements here and here, or all our Life Members are listed here.

This is something that we’ll continue to work on in future years. There are some great stories out there: check out our interview with Stan Middleton for just some of those stories.

2020

2020 was a little different, but the Swans kept steaming ahead.

Read on for six highlights from the season… and we can’t wait for 2021!

1) Vietnam is #1… at handling COVID-19!

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. What a country! Vietnam has handled everything that COVID-19 could muster and should be recognised across the world for its efforts.

That’s not to say it hasn’t been a tough year. We’ve all missed the footy tours, missed family and friends, missed travel and missed the chance to contest the 2020 Asian Champs. COVID-19 certainly disrupted each of our lives in a way that none of us thought possible.

Nonetheless, as a Club we’ve continued to move forward despite all the challenges. We’d like to thank all your members, supporters, sponsors and partners for sticking by us and doing the right thing throughout 2020.

2) Welcome to New Media: Keep Honking!

Swannies Life Member Bill Crang simply doesn’t take no for an answer. When corona struck, he was one of the first to innovate and find a way to stay in our ears, irrespective of locked borders,  mandatory isolation and even the closure of bars!

After introducing Keep Honking’s two hosts, the first season of the podcast featured a further six sensational episodes:

• Episode 1: Rod White
• Episode 2: Bill Crang
• Episode 3: Mitch Hyde
• Episode 4: Phil Fabbo Johns
• Episode 5: Jack White
• Episode 6: Maz Scanlon
• Episode 7: Trav Fennell
• Episode 8: Grant Keys

Tune in if you missed it! Rumour has it that season 2 will be even better, with Angus McEwin pencilled in to get 2021 rolling.

3) Rise of the Domestic Leagues

It’s tough to carve out time for all the competitions we’d love to run. 2020 gave us a chance to finally deliver on the President’s long-promised domestic league. Both the North and the South had multiple rounds of competition, providing a great outlet for everyone in the absence of the international games we’d typically fill the season with.

A big thanks to the Nini and Jack at Ninja Ink Tattoo Studios for their support in the designs of the HAFL jerseys.

4) Big Events!

In early 2020, you would have said it would be impossible for the Swannies to still deliver multiple events of 200+ people.

But we did, and we did it safely! The North vs South multi-sport events packed venues at both ends of the country, following the model we’d established a few years ago as the Central Vietnam Games. These two events had almost as many teams as an Asian Champs, running from 7am till 7pm, plus an after party that likely surpassed any held in AFL Asia in 2020.

As if that wasn’t enough, the Swannies Grand Final Functions went ahead with just as much fun as any other year.

5) Charity Rolls On