The 13th Annual Asian Championships will be held in Thailand on 11 August 2012.

The 13th Annual Asian Championships will be held in Pattaya, Thailand on Saturday 11 August 2012.

Originally, the Champs were booked in to be played at the same venue as last year, the Patana School, Bangkok.However, several months ago, Patana School advised that the oval was going to undergo some major works and that the playing surface may not be fully restored in time for the Champs – hence the hasty change of venue.

Unfortunately, the China Reds and Cambodian Eagles will not be participating in this year’s Champs.

However, eight of the Cambodian Eagles will join up with the Lao Elephants to bolster their numbers.

The Philippine Eagles (yes, there are Philippine Eagles and Cambodian Eagles in Asian footy) will make a return. They have hosted the Champs in Manila on one occasion, but this will be the first time they have travelled outside their own country to play in a Champs.

Meanwhile, the Swannies preparations have been gearing up.

Hanoi has confirmed it will send seven players (including former resident, Stew Green who will fly in from Australia). We are still to confirm numbers from Saigon.

The Swannies Official Team Hotel in Pattaya has a flippin’ awesome name. It’s the Flipper House Hotel.

To make your reservation, book here.

As part of the build up, teh Swannies in both Hanoi and HCMC are planning family days on Sunday, 5 August where we will also screen the much anticipated doco on the ANZAC Friendship Match Weekend which was made by Steve Drummond. More to follow.

Two weeks tomorrow and we’re there at the Asian Champs…