Nearly 200 migrant workers from across Lambton County gathered at Coultis Park in Forest last week to play soccer in friendly but competitive games highlighting athletic skill and talent. The event was in preparation for the second annual Migrant Workers Project (MWP) Cup Soccer Tournament slated for next month.
Now in its second year, the MWP Cup is an initiative through The North Lambton Community Health Center’s (NLCHC) and their TeaMWork Migrant Worker Project that aims to provide community events and support for migrant workers throughout Lambton County, supported by community volunteers.
“People come together from other countries and learn from each other…[on my team] we have players from Jamaica and Mexico, very talented guys,” said Anthony Duffus, who also played soccer in Jamaica before moving to Lambton County for work two years ago at Twin Creek Greenhouse Inc., where he picks bell peppers.
Players unloaded from vans and buses at the park, making up nine teams in total, some spending hours on a bus before making it to the playing field.
“One of the biggest barriers to a project like this is transportation, as the majority of the workers are located at a distance,” said Andrea Jones-Peper, project coordinator of the Migrant Worker Project.
“It took about three hours, because the bus stopped to pick everybody up,” shared Glenn Emmanuel, one team member arriving by bus.
“We had a long day, a long week overall but try to come out to showcase,” said Duffus.
When asked what it’s like to do such physical labour on a farm and then still have energy to train playing soccer, player Fernando Contreras explained it had been a while since he had enough energy to support any practice. “[I’m] tired. After work, you just make your food and have to sleep,” he said.
“Today, I’ve had a good day,” said Fernandes after playing a game in the field.
According to the TeaMWork Migrant Worker Project farms in Lambton County employ hundreds of migrant workers. “Our team [works] tirelessly to provide migrant workers with accurate information and easy access to community services and support,” said Jones-Peper.
The teams are made up of migrant workers as well as some farmers and represent farms spread throughout Lambton County; Willow Springs Hydroponic Farms, Roelands Plant Farms Inc.,Twin Creek Greenhouse Inc., EnviroFresh Farms, Birnam Orchards, Eusi Farms Ltd., Sipkens Nurseries, Juicy-Fruit Orchards & Farm Market, Henry Peters Farms as well as some mixed teams made up of players from multiple farms.
“[The team] looks forward to this so much we now practice on Sundays in our front yard. We set up a couple nets and the kids come out and play and everything,” said Jeremy Veens, farmer and employer of migrant workers at Willow Springs Hydroponic Farms.
Veens, who competes on a level playing field with his employees during the MWP Cup and practice games explained, “the team work displayed on the field is the same team work we use on our farm.”
“It builds everyone up. You know, on an evening like this someone would stay home but …are now out in the community,” said Paul Campbell, returning coach for WIllow Springs Hydroponic Farms. “We got to the final last year.”
“I’m very glad to be on the team, it’s nice to see everyone come together,” said Emmanuel.
“It’s fun playing in Jamaica but when you can show your talent abroad somewhere, it’s very good,” said Duffus.
The MWP Cup Soccer Tournament is scheduled for August 25, starting 10 a.m. at the Taxandria Soccer Club in Arkona. The event is free and open to all. The community is encouraged to watch and cheer teams and players on.
“It starts off as a round robin with a couple games and then the winners advance,” Veens said.
Find it: 7159 Arkona Rd., Arkona
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