Email to HK Dragons president from Vietnam Swans President Phil Johns:
From: Vietnam Swans [mailto:vietnamswans@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, 21 July 2010 2:58 PM
To: Dunn, Dominic
Subject: Invitation to the 2011 ANZAC Friendship Match, Vietnam
Hi Bowski
On behalf of the Vietnam Swans, it is my great pleasure to invite the Hong Kong Dragons to be the first international team to tour Vietnam for the 2011 ANZAC Friendship Match in Vung Tau (75 minute hydrofoil ride from Saigon), Vietnam.
This year, the Vietnam Swans played an internal match on ANZAC weekend between the Hanoi Hawks and Saigon Saints. It was a stunning success which attracted the interest of the Vietnam Veterans and a crowd of 400. We also managed to successfully negotiate the political sensitivities involved in playing a match in Vietnam on ANZAC weekend.
It is proposed that the 2011 match would be played on Saturday 23 April at the Vung Tau greyhound racing track (where they used to play footy during the War). On the Sunday, a tour of battlefield sites would be organised and possibly a visit to an orphanage. For those who are able to stay an extra day, they would be able to attend the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Long Tan Cross. Afterwards, we would watch the Collingwood Vs Essendon match at Tommy’s Bar in Vung Tau before returning to HCMC. Depending upon when the visiting team has to leave, transport would be organised accordingly from Vung Tau to the airport.
Please find attached a copy of a presentation that was prepared following this year’s inaugural ANZAC Friendship Match which should give you a good flavour of what happens.
We really believe that our footy match can play a significant role in the healing process between Vietnam and Australia. Our links with the Vietnam Veterans are strengthening rapidly and they are extremely supportive of our match. If Hong Kong was able to tour in 2011, we believe it will further strengthen these relationships.
If possible, I would really appreciate it if the Hong Kong Dragons could confirm whether they would be able to tour on ANZAC Weekend 2011 prior to Sunday 25 July (in 4 days time). This Sunday, the Vietnam Swans will be having a reunion at the MCG. The Sydney Swans have invited the Vietnam Swans to their pre match function which we have accepted – and we have also invited a dozen Vietnam Veterans to attend who played footy in Vietnam during the War. In short, it would make an ideal opportunity for the Vietnam Swans to announce details of our 2011 ANZAC Match.
Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me and I trust that the Hong Kong Dragons will be able to make the ANZAC tour in 2011 to Vung Tau.
It will be a cracker, Bowski.
Regards
Phil