Matty Johns takes a screamer! 

Congratulations to Matty Johns and Rebecca Larkin on the birth of Jesse Johns today. Fantastic news. (Hopefully Jesse will be a good sleeper so Dad is well prepared for the Champs.)

Matt (a gun player) and Rebecca own the new Bobby Brewers at 400B Le Van Sy Street, Ward 14, District 3, sponsors of our new shorts which will be unveiled for the HMAS ANZAC match. Well worth dropping into Bobby’s for a celebratory coffee or beer.

Vietnam Swans Vs HMAS ANZAC, 27 August 2008

Up to 150 Navy personnel are expected to attend this match at RMIT, with the ball being bounced at 5pm. Former Ambassador and RMIT Supremo, Michael Mann will toss the coin and the Australian Consul General, Mal Skelly will present the trophy to the winning team.

Afterwards, food (provided by Al Frescos) and beverages (provided by Foster’s and Jim Beam) will be available for purchase. In an email forwarded to the Swans, the HMAS ANZAC is saying that this match could be “the highlight of our 6 month deployment”. The media will be in attendance at the match and a photo opportunity will be held, the day prior, aboard the ANZAC. Special t-shirts are being made for the day.

Unfortunately, with the match being in the middle of the working week, it will be difficult for the Hanoi crew to make it down to Saigon.

Pre Asian Champs fundraising BBQ, Saigon on Sunday 24 August 

$10 for the full on BBQ plus drinks pay as you go in District 2. Swans players are encouraged to BYOF (Bring your own friend) to the Barbie. Families most welcome. Swimming opportunities available.

Asian Champs, Singapore, 6 September

Tomorrow is the deadline to register players’ names for the Champs. Former President, now resident of Singapore, Dave Flyer Kainey will organize a bus to pick up the main arrival party of Swans when we touch down in Singapore.

Rod Campbell, Saigon, Monday 18 August

Rod has worked with the best AFL coaches in Australia and he’s the son of a VFL coach. He’s already met the boys in Hanoi. Tomorrow he meets the boys in Saigon at Highlands Coffee, Pham Ngu Lau, 6 – 7.30pm with some game strategy tips for us. Awesome.

Swimming to save lives

On Saturday 23 August in Hoi An, Michael Johnston and Michael francis will compete in the Hoi An Triathlon and in the process raise money to teach children how to swim. Drownings of children account for more deaths in this country than road accidents. The Alcan G3 Expat staff donated some money to the Vietnam Swans to give to an appropriate cause. This will be the cause.

The Vietnam Swans will also raffle off a 4.5 mega litre bottle of Jim Beam at the Navy match in support of the swimming lessons. The Intrepid Foundation will match all funds raised.

Grand Final Parties, Hanoi and Saigon, 27 September

In Hanoi, the Swans will again run the Grand Final Cyclo Parade on the Thursday night prior to the Grand Final. We dress up the cyclos in club colours, wear our Vietnam Swans jumpers and visit a number of pubs and spread the word about the coming Grand Final. Cracking fun.

IN Hanoi, the Grand Final Party is confirmed for JASPAS for just $30. Gee whiz. Sponsors include JVK, Tiger, the Al Frescos Group and Jim Beam. Welcome to Claire Bicks – Hanoi’s new Treasurer!!

In Saigon, the Grand Final Party is 95 per cent confirmed at… a bar that will be ideal for hosting the Grand Final Party. Watch this space.

During the week, the Sydney Swans donated two autographed footy jumpers for auction. One will be sent to Saigon and the other to Hanoi. How good is that??

Swans in the media

Scotty Stacey, Saigon President – Vietnam Swans, had an article about the Vietnam Swans published on his beloved Adelaide Crows website.

Phil Johns, National President – Vietnam Swans, had a wide ranging article that included things about the Vietnam Swans published in a Vietnamese magazine, Doanh Nhan Saigon (Saigon Businessmen’s Weekend) which was reproduced on VN Express.

Australia’s Best Footy Jumper

As part of the AFL’s celebration of 150 years of football, they are conducting a search for Australia’s best footy jumper. The Vietnam Swans entered our new jumper, designed by Blue Ink Asia and worn by Miss Australia, into the competition. Unfortunately, Gus was our model so no promises.

Also Coming Up

October – Malaysian Warriors, Saigon

November – Thailand Tigers and Lao Elephants, Cambodia

The Swans Blog hits 50,000

The Swans Blog has had its 50,000th hit. That’s half the population of the MCG!

The Blog, which reports without fear, favour or prejudice, is updated most days. For the full story always, log onto www.thevietnamswans.com