By Chris McAsey
The number of passionate and committed local AFL players continues to grow throughout Asia. We profile a few who are pumped about representing their country in Aussie Rules at the Asian Championships in Thailand.
Layla Ng – Vietnam Swans
‘I remember my first Asian Champs in 2022, I got a free kick from a successful tackle. I missed the goal, but it still makes me happy to think about that moment.’
A few years ago, Layla had never heard of AFL. Now she’s a super passionate and important member of the Vietnam Swans squad for the Asian Championships.
How did you start playing AFL?
I saw the Facebook page of a Vietnamese girl recruiting new AFL players with a picture of her team. So I texted her and asked if I could play. I still remember my first question to her, ‘What’s AFL? Is it rugby football?’
Did you play other sports before AFL?
I played badminton and yoga and trekking, mostly individual sports.
Who taught you the skills and rules of AFL?
I still remember the first training day. I was very impressed with the enthusiastic training from Eric Kerrison and Mark Tierney. Even now I still get inspired by our team members like Ashley Anne, Paul Villa, Spencer Whitaker and Brewster Pius Craven.
I highly appreciate their efforts to make me and the Hanoi members of the Swans better every week!
Did you find AFL skills difficult to learn?
Nothing’s easy with any sport and especially for AFL we need a lot of skills like kicking, handballing, tackling. It’s not so difficult to learn but you need to practice regularly and keep trying! You need to train every week, firstly to learn the skills correctly, secondly to maintain what you have learnt and thirdly to get better!
What do you like most about playing footy?
There are three main reasons why I love footy.
Firstly, you can improve your physical condition. You get healthy, fit and agile.
Secondly, you get strong mentally. You worry that you are not good enough, you lack skills, you’re too short, you can’t run so fast, you’re afraid to get injured. But when you play and it becomes your passion you get over it. You fall down and you get up right away. That’s what footy bring out of you.
Thirdly – team spirit and teamwork. In our team for example, we come from different countries, different cultures, different careers, different ages. But we love each other and we share the same passion for footy. We are bound together because we are all members of the Vietnam Swans, and through the efforts of each individual, you make your team stronger.
What is the most exciting moment you had in a game?
To be honest I always get excited when I play football! I remember in my first Asian Champs in 2022, I got a free kick from a successful tackle. I missed the goal, but it still makes me happy to think about that moment. I was 36 years old, had just started to learn how to play AFL. I weigh 42kg and I’m only 1.5m, I think I’m smallest in every football team. So if I could do it, it means you can too!
What’s the best thing about representing Vietnam at the Asian Championships?
I feel proud that AFL is popular in Vietnam. If you compare it with other sports such as rugby, gaelic, American football – at this moment, AFL is the sport that has the largest number of Vietnamese people playing.
Do you watch AFL games on television in Vietnam?
Yes, in Hanoi we usually go to a favourite sports bar and sponsor called Republic to watch AFL games together.
Do you have any favourite AFL or AFLW players?
Not yet, I’ve always found inspiration from team members who I try to learn from like Ashley from Hanoi and Katie Quinn from Ho Chi Minh.
What position or role do you play in your team?
I usually play half forward flank or wing.
