Saigon Rugby Football Club joins Cambodian League

Saigon Gecko’s play in the last tournament, the Ankor 10s - Photo: The Saigon Rugby Football Club

The Saigon Rugby Football Club will play their first game in the Cambodian Federation of Rugby in Phnom Penh on Feb. 19 after joining the league recently.

“This has been spoken about for some time and it has taken a while to finalise details,” said club president Chris Paget.

“But now it is happening and as it is a massive step forward for the club we also have to step up and commit to all of the games in the League,” Paget said.

Joining the league means that the Geckos will make three trips to Phnom Penh between now and April 9, and host three games in Saigon, plus a final at the end.

There are four teams in the league including the Saigon Geckos and three Cambodian teams: Stade Khmer, Garudas and Sisowath Knights. The games are 15 per side with two 40 minute halves.

One of the Gecko’s players Tom Percasky said, “We are definitely confident of making the final as we are taking over a strong squad.”

The CFR (Cambodian Federation of Rugby) was created in 2000 to unify the rugby efforts in Cambodia and gain recognition and membership in the ARFU (Asian Rugby Football Union). The Federation has played a huge part in developing the sport in Asia and has over 3000 members since it began.

The Saigon Rugby Football club was formed in 1992 and trains regularly at RMIT in District 7 in both touch and contact formats.

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Aussie football club holds big party for AFL grandfinal

Vietnam Swans players (L and second L) play the Lao Elephants. The Swans football club in Saigon is organizing a big party to watch the AFL grand final between Collingwood and St Kilda this Saturday - Photo: The organizers

The Vietnam Swans in Saigon have sold nearly 200 tickets so far to their Australian Football League (AFL) Grand Final party in District 1 set for next Saturday.

The president of the club, Phil Johns does not expect any tickets to be left for sale at the door on Grand Final day as interest has been so strong.

“Given the number of tourists, especially Australians, who will want to see the Grand Final and hoping to purchase tickets when they arrive in Saigon, I think they will be very disappointed. I am not expecting any tickets to be available on Grand Final day,” Johns said.

The event will be held at La Cantine on the corner of Dong Khoi and Ngo Duc Ke Streets in District 1.

The final between traditional Melbourne rivals Collingwood and St Kilda is tipped to go Collingwood’s way as they have had an almost unbeatable season.

“They [Collingwood] beat Geelong by a lot in the preliminary final and they will be tough to beat. I hope St Kilda win but you would have to think Collingwood will be too strong,” said Josh Little, a Vietnam Swans member.

“No-one wants to see Collingwood win, because if they do, you will hear about it for the next 20 years,” Little said. He said the party would be “the Swans biggest party yet” and watching the grandfinal in Saigon would more special than it would be in Australia

“In Australia, you would celebrate anywhere and it’s always going to be big. In Vietnam, it brings all the Australians together and who wins doesn’t become as important. It’s the fact that we are all together on such an important day and having fun.”

If there are any enquiries for tickets, please email vietnamswans@gmail.com or contact Jo on 0906 615 958.

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