Fabbo at the Kainey Cup earlier in the month

Dear Swannies, Sponsors and Supporters

Previous updates have been mega. This one is mega to the power of two.

  • MCG Union of Vietnam Swans, Sydney Swans, Vietnam Veterans and Southern Dragons
  • 20011 ANZAC Friendship Match confirmed – Hong Kong Dragons
  • Cambodian Match
  • Southern Dragons Training Session, Melbourne
  • Thank you to the AFL’s Josh Vanderloo for Auskick packs
  • Farewell Jerry!
  • Five minutes with the Flyer
  • Facebook – Follow it all
  • Sign off

MCG Union of Vietnam Swans, Sydney Swans, Vietnam Veterans and Southern Dragons

The Saigon Saints in 1998

Originally, 25 July 2010 was slated to be a reunion of Hanoi/Vietnam Swans at the Melbourne Vs Sydney footy match at the MCG. And then we found a Hanoi Hawk and a Saigon Saint in Melbourne. Then the Sydney Swans invited us to attend their pre match function of past players and officials. Then the Vietnam Veterans who had played footy during the War in Vietnam accepted our invitation to attend.  And then a number of Vietnamese players from the Southern Dragons Football also said they would attend.

What started off as a reunion has, in a sense, become a union of different and key parties.

One can’t help but think that the foundation for the Vietnam Swans ANZAC Friendship Match in Vung Tau is getting stronger and stronger.

2011 ANZAC Friendship Match confirmed – Hong Kong Dragons

Footy in Vung Tau, 1968

It is my great pleasure to announce that the Hong Kong Dragons have accepted our invitation to play in the Vietnam Swans 2011 ANZAC Friendship Match, Vung Tau. It literally took them less than 30 minutes to accept our invitation.

The Hong Kong Dragons are one of Asia’s longest established footy clubs and played in the then Hanoi Swans first tournament in 2003. The Dragons had previously expressed a very strong interest in playing us in Vung Tau. In short, the Hong Dragons will be a very fitting Club for the Vietnam Swans to play on such an important occasion in such a historically significant location.

Cambodian Match, 31 July 2010

Just six days after the MCG Event, the Swannies are on the road again. This time we are off to play the Cambodian Cobras in Phnom Penh on 31 July. The Vietnam Swans will be the first team to tour Cambodia since the 2008 Indochina Cup which doubled as former Saigon President, Scotty Stacey’s farewell tour. There are still hushed whispers about that tour… Believe the hype; do not expect anything less on this tour.

Southern Dragons Training Session, Melbourne

Dragons President, Tri (pronounced "Try". What an Aussie!) presents Swans President Phil Johns with a Dragons jumper

From Hong Kong Dragons to Southern Dragons… Last night, in freezing conditions, Damo Judd and myself attended a training session with the Southern Dragons Football Club in Clayton. The Southern Dragons are made up of predominantly Asians, many of Vietnamese descent: two of whom have trained with the Swannies in Saigon. The Dragons field three teams with 90 players in the Southern League. They say they have had people from as far afield as Werribee and Sunshine wanting to play for them! Strike! But having seen the great culture that underpins this club, Damo and I could see why players are prepared to travel so far to be part of it.

Dragons Vice President, Kane, presented the Vietnam Swans with a Dragons jumper which will go straight to our pool room in Saigon where it will be proudly displayed. Damo will also take to the field for the Dragons on Saturday.

Essentially, it was all good – until the Coach made us do sit ups on the freezing, cold, wet ground. Yikes! Bring back training in 35 degrees and stifling humidity.

The Vietnam Swans and Southern Dragons are keen to develop the relationship between our clubs.

Thank you to the AFL’s Josh Vanderloo for Auskick packs

The AFL’s Josh Vanderloo has been a great supporter of the Vietnam Swans Auskick program in Hanoi. Now that we have a program up and running in Saigon, Josh has sent us an additional 50 Auskick packs. Thank you, Josh! Thanks also to Sam Conroy and family for transporting them back to Vietnam.

Farewell Jerry!

One of the Swannies favourite sons, Jerry! Jerry! Jerry! returns to the USA this week. Farewell Jerry and Linda. Thanks for being such an active part of the Club while you were here and keep flying the footy flag.

Five minutes with the Flyer

On Friday nights in Saigon, we have Josh on the Couch. Josh focuses on the big AFL issues of the week, Swannies business and current players.

We now have a new segment called Five minutes with the Flyer. In this segment, Dave “Flyer” Kainey tracks down a former player and asks them a handful of questions about their days with the Swannies and what they’re doing now. Where can you see this segment? Only on www.thevietnamswans.com!

Facebook – Follow it all

Can’t keep up with it all? Forget to check the Swannies Blog to see Five minutes with the Flyer? Become a “friend” of the Vietnam Swans Facebook page. Every time we post a new story on the Blog, we will include the headline and link on Facebook so that, if you’re a “friend”, you will be automatically updated.

Sign Off

At the beginning, middle and end of the day, I wanna honk my horn.

Alas, being in Melbourne, I’m not allowed to.

Just how good is the footy in Vietnam??