The Weekly Wrap
Last week, the National Committee had its first telephone hook up between Hanoi and Saigon. Phil Fabbo Johns was elected National President (Scott Stacey is President Saigon and Potsy is President Hanoi). Danny Armstrong was elected National Treasurer. Scott Stacey (Saigon) and Charlie Williams (Hanoi) were elected as joint coaches for the 2008 Asian Champs in Singapore on 6 September.
HMAS ANZAC footy match, Saigon
In the week 25 – 29 August, the Australian naval frigate, HMAS ANZAC, will be in Saigon. We are currently working with the Australian Embassy in Hanoi to organize a footy match against the navy on Wednesday 27 August. The match is still to be confirmed but signs are looking extremely positive.
It’s expected that the navy will declare it to be an official function and therefore, potentially, we could have 180 people in attendance at RMIT.
Asian Champs
The Prospectus was received during the week for the Asian Champs which will be held in Singapore on 6 September. There will be 2 Groups, 4 matches played by each team in each group, 2 semi finals and one Grand Final.
The deadline for registration of players is 18 August. So, if you wish to play for the Vietnam Swans, please confirm asap.
In Saigon, we will hold a fundraising BBQ on 24 August. Contact us for specific details.
Sydney Swans Donate 2 Footies
The Vietnam Swans very gratefully received 2 Sherrins from the Sydney Swans. One will live in Hanoi and the other in Saigon.
Daniel Kerr breaks away again
Daniel Kerr’s autographed West Coast jumper
On the weekend, John and Mark Regan, uncles of West Coast Eagles’ superstar, Daniel Kerr arrived in Saigon. They arrived with a West Coast footy jumper autographed by Daniel as well as scarves, hats and stubby holders. They donated them to the Vietnam Swans to raise money for the Club. Absolutely fantastic.
Rod Campbell
Rod Campbell has been in Hanoi. He has extensive coaching experience in Australia working with coaching greats such as Denis Pagan. His father, Graham, was a former player and coach for Fitzroy. Rod gave those of us in Hanoi tips, insights and ideas into game strategies and training drills. He also made the observation that, as we’re spread across two cities, it’s imperative that we have the same training drills in each city to help us on match day (a cunning plan to get over the tyranny of distance for our Club!!).
Rod will travel down to Saigon later this week and we’re hoping he will be able to meet up with the Swans in Saigon.
AFL Grand Final Parties in Saigon.
There seems to have been some confusion about the organizers of the AFL Grand Final event that was written up in Saigon’s “The Word” and “Asialife” magazines. In one magazine it refers generically to the “Aussie Rules Football Club Vietnam” and in the other it refers to the “Saigon Australia Rules Football Club”.
While not mentioned at all in either article, the organizer of this event is the Saigon Saints. It is not the Vietnam Swans.
To ensure there’s no confusion, the Vietnam Swans are more than happy to give the Saigon Saints a plug. Their Grand Final Brunch, which they have hosted for many years – which also raises money for the Loreto Foundation – will be held at the Sheraton Hotel on 27 September.
As a playing Club, the Vietnam Swans are wanting something far less formal than a 5 Star Hotel. Accordingly, the Official Vietnam Swans AFL Grand Final Party in Saigon will be held at, you guessed it, a less formal venue (to be confirmed this week).
It’s fantastic that footy has grown to the point that Saigon can now host two separate Grand Final events catering to different market segments.
Meanwhile, the Vietnam Swans in Hanoi are working with JASPAS to put on another outstanding AFL Grand Final Party.
Other Matches
The Club has received a request from the Malaysian Warriors to play us on 9 October in Saigon. We are checking the availability of the RMIT oval.
We are still trying to confirm a date to play the Thailand Tigers and Lao Elephants in Phnom Penh at the beginning of November.
Teaching young Swans to swim
Mick Johnston and Mick Francis will take part in the Hoi An triathlon on 23 August raising money for children’s swimming lessons. The Intrepid Foundation will match each donation, dollar for dollar.
In Vietnam, more children die from drowning than road accidents each year.
For more information, contact Mick Johnston at mjinvietnam@yahoo.com.au
The Swans Blog hits 50,000!
This week, the Swans Blog at www.thevietnamswans.com is expected to have its 50,000 hit.
Another Big Week
It’s not just Eddie McGuire, Heath Shaw and Alan Didak who have had a big week in football.
