Phil Johns with a baby at an orphanage that the Swannies visited on ANZAC Weekend

The National President of the Vietnam Swans, Phil Johns sends out the email below which includes the pictorial review of the Inaugural ANZAC Friendship Match and weekend. (pdf version).

Dear Swannies, Sponsors and Supporters

Please find attached a pictorial review (finally!) of the Vietnam Swans Inaugural ANZAC Friendship Match and weekend in Vung Tau.

It was an incredible and moving weekend. It was made more special when two weeks ago, Sam Middleton contacted the Vietnam Swans. Sam served in Vung Tau in 1967-68 and reported that back then, there was a full scale Aussie Rules Competition played between 7 Australian Units twice per year. And where did they play? The Lord Mayor’s Oval which has since become the Vung Tau Dog Racing Track. That’s where we played our Friendship Match. Sam also has lots of photos of the footy during that period on his website.

Apart from football, the weekend provided us all with a unique opportunity to meet some Veterans and learn about what had happened.

The Vietnam Swans visited two local orphanages to share some time holding, laughing and kicking the football (which had to be sugar coated with time spent kicking the soccer ball).

We supported Tommy’s 3 Bar (major organiser and venue for telecast of the Collingwood-Essendon ANZAC Match) to raise money for the orphanages. The Vietnam Swans auctioned off some memorabilia and all proceeds were donated to the Hoi An Children’s Swimming Program. In Vietnam, more children die from drowning than road accidents. Going forward, this is an area that the Vietnam Swans are keen to offer additional support.

Strengthened by the very positive feedback that we have received about the ANZAC Friendship Match, the Vietnam Swans would like to continue this new tradition. Next year, rather than playing a “Heritage Round” match between the Hanoi Hawks and Saigon Saints, the Vietnam Swans will play an international team in Vung Tau.

The Swannies are keen to play footy and we’re also keen to give something back to the communities in which we live. We think and hope that our ANZAC Friendship Match can play a positive role with multiple benefits, even if modest, for many parties.

Hong Kong Match a week ago

Last week, the Vietnam Swans made our first tour to Hong Kong to play the Hong Kong Dragons. Congratulations to the Dragons who were a powerhouse on the field and sensational hosts off it. The trip also served as the farewell tour to three champions of the Swannies: Captain Monkey, JD and Jerry. As expected, we gave them a fitting send off. We also welcomed six new guys who enjoyed their first tour for the Swannies. All good!

Finally…

The ANZAC Weekend in Vung Tau last month really was incredible. And so were so many people who put in so much time and effort to make it such a success. I know I’m a bit biased, but when I look around the Club and see the quality of people and the quality of the things that they’re doing, I do think that it’s not a bad sort of a Club.

Congratulations and thank you to all.