Wrap your laughing gear around one of these snags!
The Saigon BBQ continues to roll on. Following on from the recap of the Bushfire Match and Fundraiser and the ANZAC Day weekend, here’s the third and final instalment of the Swans Review in Saigon.
The Inaugural Kainey Cup
To receive an invitation for events as important as the ANZAC Day match, you need history and credibility.
Dave Kainey, former Swans President, played a key role in resurrecting football in Vietnam back in 2003. With his substantial experience from his days with the Jakarta Bintangs, he created the momentum to get the Swans off the couch and onto the rice paddy and start actually playing. Kainey has therefore played a critical role in us building that history and credibility.
Accordingly, it was especially timely and fitting that last weekend in Hanoi (23 May 2009), the Vietnam Swans and Jakarta Bintangs played for the inaugural Kainey Cup. These links and symbols that connect those of us playing today with those of us who laid the first building blocks give us extraordinary strength.
This was the first match Hanoi has hosted since May of last year. It was also Peter Griz’s last match who has been a star for the Club in Hanoi both on and off the field.
As expected, our northern team mates did an absolutely cracking job. It was an enormously awesomely good weekend. The Jakarta Bintangs wrote to us to say:
Boys, was a cracker of a trip! You put on a top show. Everything went without a hitch.
Thanks to all Vietnam Swans involved! Will definitely talk it up to other teams around Asia to tour there as well.
Good luck with the continued development.
See you at the Champs if not beforehand.
Jason Allen of the Clipsal 500 - driven to talk footy
Clipsal 500 starts talking footy
A couple of weeks ago, a mate of Nick’s came to Saigon. Jason Allen is the CEO of the Clipsal 500 Adelaide. He has since written to one of his friends in the media saying:
I met a terrific group of Ex-pat Australians in Saigon.
The bond to all of these guys was AFL, a Club, having a kick, mateship and above all their love for Australia. I am an avid AFL supporter, however these guys take it to another level. Playing footy in the conditions they do, travelling in between countries for the Asian Cup at their own expense, representing our magnificent game and country and promoting a game that is obviously unfamiliar in this region inspired me.
We should point out that while the Vietnam Swans are predominantly Australian, it’s not exclusively Australian. We’re inclusive. Anyone giving it a fair go – eg Larry, Eric, Jerry and Eddie gets a fair go and is extremely welcome.
All good
Congratulations to Derrin and his Saigon Committee; and Potsy and his Hanoi Committee for their work in making these things happen. Thank you to the rest of us, including the partners, who are actively involved and keen to support the Club wherever possible.
Muzza and Christina, thanks for being part of the Vietnam Swans story and making a significant contribution to the development of the Club. Have a good one back in Melbourne. Expect the post Vina Blues to kick in on Grand Final Day when we’re having a belter of a day for our 2nd Grand Final Party in HCMC.
You’ll find that the best therapy will be the Vietnam Swans Annual Golf Day in Melbourne on 29 December.
And finally
When David Carter of Odyssey Resources (sponsor of our shorts) wrote about the bushfire, he also made mention of the ANZAC Day match which prompted him to conclude with:
I truly believe in six degrees of separation and the Vietnam Swans continue to touch people’s lives in a positive way – please keep up the good work!
