With the return of the Toronto Carnival, formerly known as Caribana, the Fete Match returned to the grounds of the L’Amoreaux North Park in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. With three (3) parking lots at capacity, hundreds of people from Dominica and their descendants, along with friends of Dominicans gathered to catch up.
After a two (2) year hiatus, Caribana Sunday welcomed the 2022 Fete Match which essentially is a “lime” for Caribana revelers from around the globe to relax before heading out to the next “fete” – Blackberry Sound Crew. As such, Fete Match has a history as deep as the Toronto Caribana but is centered around Dominican football in the GTA.
Fete Match has developed an identity where attendees come to experience Dominican culture through the food, music, and art and the all too familiar “boy, I haven’t seen mister since…” as long-lost “partners” reunite. Vendors served the traditional black pudding, bakes, and codfish among other foods. Vendors at this year’s event include Twice Clothing, Coal Catering Bar-B-Que Chicken, Nettie’s Hot Pepper Sauce, Jewo’s Souse and Juices, and Mallie’s Kitchen. Keeping the crowd entertained was courtesy of Japs International and Island Therapy
The focus of the 2022 Fete Match was revitalization which is important for the continuation of Dominica United’s success in the future. As such, the aim of Ole School Dominican Born (“ODB”) v. Canadian Born (“CB”) to identify and showcase young Dominican Footballers in the GTA and beyond was an irrefutable success. Both squads included male and female footballers. Eighteen-year-old Kennedy Wilson [Winger] from Boston and 14-year-old Ethan Alleyne [CDM] from NYC joined the CB squad in a display of tremendous skills and talent. The game was full of excitement, including off-the-woodwork moments, but it was the Canadian-born squad who won the game 4-0.
It is worth noting that this game was the first time the CBs met and played with each other. The final score tells a deeper story of the commitment of the CBs to football. Most of the CBs are currently under the age of 21 and game awareness was evident in their ability to gel and distribute the ball so effectively in a short period of time.
Following the 2022 Fete Match, two players were selected for 2022 Most Valuable Players Awards. For the ODBs, the MVP was handed to Tristan Esprit selected by an independent selection panel. Tristan Esprit resides in Oshawa, ON, Canada. Tristan completed a Bachelor of Science at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, US on a football scholarship. He is a personal trainer and provides services as a group and individual football trainer/coach and is the owner of QC Fitness and QC Apparel.
For the CBs, the panel selected Pherel Esprit as MVP. Pherel Esprit resides in Brampton, ON, Canada but he attends Middlesex Public High in Boston Massachusetts, USA. When he returns to Canada, he trains and plays football with Sigma FC. In addition, Laurence “Lion” Alfred was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award. Since 1980, Lion who was born in St. Lucia has been an integral part of Dominica football in Toronto. Alexis Roy Richards was also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution and commitment to keeping Dominica football moving forward in the early year. Many, many thanks to Roy.
Looking forward to Fete Match 2023.
Wow…Elizabeth…this has been one of the best events on the Dominican/Canadian community calendar for many years. And North York is not so far west. It was another wonderful gathering that was very well attended.
Let’s feature more photos next time.
Oh boy! How I would love the “black pudding”.
Too bad I am way out there in North York, Toronto; way out west from Scarborough, and Isolated from my fellow Dominicans.
I can never know about these functions unless I read DNO, when it is already too late–good heavens!
Can I get the name and number of the coach of the foot ball teams