Photo supplied by FNFA
The Farmers of Norfolk Football Association (FNFA) tournament is returning to Simcoe on Sunday, Aug. 9, bringing together seasonal farm workers, local employers and the community for a full day of soccer and celebration.
The tournament, which began in 2019, was created to recognize the important role seasonal agricultural workers play in Norfolk County while building connections through sport. The Grand River Community Health Centre is organizing the event for the second straight year after taking over coordination from the legal clinic that originally launched the tournament.
This year’s event will feature 12 teams, up from 10 last year, competing at the Norfolk County Soccer Park, 660 West Street, Simcoe.
Executive Director, Lynda Kohler said soccer is the perfect way to bring people together.
Kohler added the sport is especially meaningful for many seasonal workers.
The free event will also include six food trucks, a live DJ, face painting, balloon art, community agencies and local businesses.
Returning champions Piccioni Bros. Mushroom Farm Ltd. will defend the trophy donated by the Sunrise Rotary Club of Simcoe Norfolk.
Maureen Acuna Harrison, Health Promoter and lead organizer of this event, said the tournament is about much more than soccer.
The 2026 tournament also marks the 60th anniversary of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, celebrating six decades of international workers supporting Canadian agriculture. Organizers say the milestone makes this year’s event an even more meaningful opportunity for the community to recognize the people who help keep Norfolk’s agricultural industry thriving.
Written by Jeremy Hall
