More than 300 players, families and community members expected Monday as Inclusive Canada Foundation celebrates cricket growth and inclusion at Newton Athletic Park
SURREY, B.C. — August 23, 2026 — Inclusive Canada Foundation will host the 2026 LMS BC Blasters Finals & Grand Award Ceremony on Monday, August 24 at Newton Athletic Park in Surrey. The event brings together more than 300 players, families, volunteers and supporters following a BC Blasters season that involved over 20 teams.
A strong group of elected officials and community leaders has confirmed they will attend, highlighting the growing role of cricket as a platform for community connection, youth development and inclusion across British Columbia.
Confirmed guests include:
- Mayor Brenda Locke, City of Surrey
- MP Gurbux Saini, Fleetwood—Port Kells
- MP Sukh Dhaliwal, Surrey Newton
- MP Jake Sawatzky, New Westminster—Burnaby—Maillardville
- MLA Mandeep Dhaliwal, Surrey North
- MLA Bryan Tepper, Surrey-Panorama
- MLA Elenore Sturko, Surrey-Cloverdale
- MLA Jody Toor, Langley-Willowbrook
- Councillor Linda Annis, City of Surrey
- Councillor Mike Bose, City of Surrey
- Commissioner Jas Virdi, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation
- Gary Tymoschuk, Chairperson, Surrey Board of Education
- Garry Thind, Vice-Chairperson, Surrey Board of Education
- Indra Bhan, Chief Operating Officer, Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade
- Tara Cleave, Executive Director, PacificSport Fraser Valley
Additional community leaders may also join.
Event details
- Date: Monday, August 24, 2026
- Championship finals: from 4:00 p.m.
- Awards and community recognition: approximately 6:30 p.m. onward
- Location: Newton Athletic Park, 7395 128 Street, Surrey, BC
In just four years, programs connected to Inclusive Canada Foundation and Last Man Stands Canada have generated more than 1,700 registrations in British Columbia. What began as adult recreational cricket has grown to include youth and under-17 teams, university and college cricket, newcomer and refugee initiatives, and Last Woman Stands programming for women and girls.
The women’s program now involves approximately 30–35 women and girls, with roughly half under the age of 17. The Youth, University & College League is also continuing toward its September championship activities.
Last Man Stands and Last Woman Stands are flagship sport initiatives of Inclusive Canada Foundation. The Foundation works to build inclusive communities through sport, education, health and culture. Local participants are also connected to one of the world’s largest amateur cricket networks, which includes more than 260,000 participants, 10,000 teams and 180 cities globally.
Dr. Emrul Hasan, President of Inclusive Canada Foundation and a faculty member at the University of British Columbia, continues to lead the expansion of these grassroots opportunities.
The LMS BC Blasters Finals & Grand Award Ceremony offers a chance for the community to celebrate the growth of cricket in Surrey and across British Columbia, while recognizing the players, volunteers and partners who have helped build the program.
About Inclusive Canada Foundation Inclusive Canada Foundation works to create inclusive communities through sport, education, health and culture. Last Man Stands and Last Woman Stands provide accessible cricket opportunities that support physical activity, belonging, mentorship and leadership.
Contact Inclusive Canada Foundation / Last Man Stands Canada Emrul Hasan, President Email: emrul.hasan@lastmanstandsdei.com Phone: 778-863-8693 Website: InclusiveCanada.com Instagram: @lmscricketcanada
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Harnaik Singh Rathor is the Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of StudioX News Canada, Canada's multilingual digital news network serving diaspora communities across 44 languages. With a background in media production, public relations, and multicultural communications, he founded StudioX Film and TV Corporation to bridge the gap between mainstream Canadian media and the country's diverse immigrant communities. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ), RTDNA Canada, CPRS Vancouver, Unifor, NEPMCC, and the Canada Freelance Union. Based in Surrey, British Columbia. | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harnaiksinghrathor/ | Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/harnaiksinghrathor | Email: editor@studioxnews.ca
