UWS Vice Chancellor & President, Janice Reid, holds the signed GWS jumper with Tim Hall. The jumper will be auctioned on the ANZAC Friendship Weekend for charity.

As we gear up for the 2013 ANZAC Friendship Weekend, the Vietnam Swans are delighted to announce that the University of Western Sydney (UWS) has donated a signed jumper from GWS that will be auctioned off on the weekend.

The money raised will be shared between the Vung Tau Orphanage and Swim Vietnam.

In the photo to the left, UWS Vice Chancellor & President, Janice Reid, holds the signed jumper with Tim Hall.

Tim Hall is UWS’s Academic Course Advisor (Hospitality Management and Sport Management) and together with Colin Sheringham (who, just last Wednesday, completed a mega marathon on the Murray River where he paddled 2,200kms in 45 days!!), they have led several study tours for UWS students through Vietnam.

GWS’ CEO, David Matthews encourages people to become a Global GIANT.

Prior to accepting the GWS role, David Matthews was the AFL’s General Manager for National and International Development – and was always very supportive of the Vietnam Swans. Below, in a message to all Asian Presidents, David outlines a proposal to sign up 1,000 Global GIANTS in 2013:

Dear all

I hope you are well and that football is growing in your part of the world.

There has not been a more passionate advocate for international development than GIANTS Coach, Kevin Sheedy. In my former role as AFL General Manager of Development, his constant advice and encouragement was invaluable.

In my current role as CEO of the GIANTS, his passion for the development of the game remains strong. We both share a vision for the GIANTS to play a strong role in international development. Therefore, I encourage you to promote the Global GIANTS to your members and players to stay connected to the great Kevin Sheedy and to support what we hope to do internationally.

You may have seen recently that we offered a scholarship to Danish player Aksel Bang. This is just the beginning of a broader GIANT international talent push – we will support the AFL International talent initiatives at every step.

We want to help you grow the game and we would be grateful if you could help us grow our Club. We have a target of 1,000 Global GIANTS this year – in many ways a group of advocates for expansion and for the work of Kevin Sheedy.

All Global GIANTS go into a draw to win two Grand Final tickets. And as an extension, the country with the most members will be visited by Kevin Sheedy post the 2013 season.

Please do not hesitate to let me know if you or your colleagues are in Australia this season and want to come to a GIANTS game – you would be most welcome.

For further information about the GWS GIANTS, click here.