Farms of Norfolk Association soccer tournament is August 9

Chris Abbott

Editor

The annual Farms of Norfolk Football Association tournament on Sunday, August 9 promises exciting soccer close to home.

The community is invited to the 7th annual FNFA event, which brings together international agricultural workers from farms in Norfolk, Haldimand and Brant counties for a day of soccer, friendship, and community celebration. Admission is free. 

The 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. tournament at the Norfolk County Youth Soccer Park, 660 West Street, Simcoe, provides an opportunity to recognize the important contributions that seasonal agricultural workers make to local farms, communities, and food systems.

This year’s tournament reached its capacity - 12 farm teams will compete this year.

“It’s a tournament that goes all day,” said Lynda Kohler, Executive Director, Grand River Community Health Centre. “We limit the number of teams because of the amount of play time for each farm. I think this year, it’s the highest number of teams we’ve had. All of the teams are from our local area – Brantford, Brant, Norfolk, and Haldimand.”

This year is especially meaningful as they celebrate 60 years of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, nationally.

The international agricultural workers are very important, said Kohler, supporting many farms in the region and the local economy.

“They are the ones who help to put food on our tables, so I think they are very important. 

We have had six decades of international workers coming to Canada, so it’s a nice milestone to celebrate this year. I think it’s nice to have the community come out and support this soccer tournament because we can show our recognition of their work.”

“The tournament is more than a sporting event - it is a celebration of culture, teamwork, resilience, and the longstanding partnership between Canada and the workers who have been coming here through SAWP for six decades,” said Maureen Acuna Harrison, Health Promoter/Community Health Worker (International Agricultural Workers Health Program) at the Grand River Community Health Centre, who leads the coordination of the FNFA soccer tournament.

There will be six food trucks on site, a DJ, and activities for kids including face painting and a balloon artist.

“We want to welcome the community to be part of this event, and to celebrate the workers,” said Kohler. “There’s a lot of soccer to view, so cheer on your favourite teams. 

It really is a family-oriented event for everyone to join in.”