VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s national Aussie Rules team has two major events lined up for next month in HCMC as interest in Australian Football continues to grow by leaps and bounds here.

On the field, the Swans are hosting the Philippine Eagles on Sept. 6 at the RMIT campus in District 7. Festivities will kick off with a co-ed modified rules match, mixing players from the Saigon Lady Gaels and the Vietnam Swans kicking off at noon. The kids will get a run at 1 p.m. as part of the Saigon Colts Auskick match, and the main event is the Swans taking on the Eagles at 2 p.m. as both teams look to climb the ladder in the Australian Football League (AFL) Asia standings. Anyone interested is invited to come and play or enjoy a beverage and watch all the action.

To help promote the day there will be a special ‘Ladies Tent’ which will offer free foot massages, mani/pedicures and wine and finger food to all the women who make their way down.

“It’s a family friendly day and a great way to meet new people,” said Vietnam Swans national president Josh Lee. “The International Game against the Philippine Eagles is going to be a tough match.

“They played off in last year’s Asian Championship so we’ve going to have to be at our best to beat them.”

Later in the month, the club will be hosting its AFL Grand Final viewing party at Game On! Sports bar in District 1 (115 Ho Tung Mau). The price of admission (VND1 million) includes free flow drinks and an all day buffet plus kids entertainment, prizes and games.

“We definitely encourage people to come dressed up in their team colors – last year we had a guy wearing bright yellow lycra, not a pretty sight, but he won best dressed and his team won so he was happy,” Lee added.

Tickets are available at the venue or online at http://www.vietnamswans.com/online-shop and doors open at 9 a.m.    

SGT/VNN