Dear Swans family,                                                                                    

Today I write with the saddest of news. Yesterday, we lost one of our own with the sudden passing of Nicholas Shiells. 

Nicko was a huge part of the Swans family and there are no words to describe this devastating loss. No doubt many of you were touched in your own way by Nick’s kindness and his passion for the footy club. As a man he was never one to do things by halves and the sight of him busting through a pack before a raking kick at goal became the signature move of ‘Big Balls’.

However, his true legacy comes from his off-field service and commitment to the club. Nick will forever be remembered as a man who spread the word of the Swans to whomever he came into contact with. His tireless work as both Saigon President and Committee member were a testament to the type of person he was – he even took a blow-up Swan to last week’s McMillan Dinner in Vung Tau after coaching the All Stars to an epic win earlier in the day. 

If you would like to send messages of condolences to Nick’s family please email nationalpres@thevietnamswans.com and they will be passed on. A memorial service will be held for Nick in Ho Chi Minh City soon, and we will post an announcement about that once the details are confirmed.