08/23/2026
Last Man Stands Canada to Bring Cricket, Community and Inclusion
Together at LMS BC Blasters Finals in Surrey
More than 300 attendees expected August 24 as a rapidly growing BC cricket ecosystem expands opportunities for adults,
university students, youth, newcomers, women and girls
SURREY, B.C. — August 2026 — Inclusive Canada Foundation (formerly Last Man Stands Canada DEI Foundation) will
host the 2026 LMS BC Blasters Finals & Grand Award Ceremony on Monday, August 24 at Newton Athletic Park in
Surrey, bringing together cricketers, families, volunteers, community leaders and supporters for a celebration of cricket,
community and inclusion.
The championship finals begin at 4:00 p.m., followed by the principal award and community-recognition activities beginning
at approximately 6:30 p.m. More than 300 attendees are expected, following a BC Blasters season involving 20+ teams.
The event represents only one part of a rapidly developing cricket and community-sport ecosystem in British Columbia.
In just four years of operation, programs connected to Inclusive Canada Foundation and LMS Canada have generated
more than 1,700 registrations in British Columbia, reflecting increasing demand for accessible, organized cricket
opportunities across diverse communities.
From Local Participation to a Global Amateur Cricket Ecosystem
Last Man Stands (LMS) and Last Woman Stands (LWS) are flagship sport initiatives of Inclusive Canada
Foundation.
Through LMS and LWS, the Foundation uses cricket as an accessible platform for physical activity, community connection,
leadership development and belonging, while Inclusive Canada Foundation's broader mandate extends across sport,
education, health and culture.
Last Man Stands is part of one of the world's largest amateur cricket ecosystems, connecting more than 260,000
participants, 10,000 teams and 180 cities globally.
In British Columbia, the growing local footprint includes:
• 24+ LMS BC Blasters teams
• 12+ LMS BC EarlyRisers teams
• 12+ Canadian university and college cricket teams
• 4+ under-17 teams
• 3+ Last Woman Stands women's teams
• newcomer and refugee youth programming
• coaching, mentorship and community-development initiatives
The Foundation is also a proud member of Cricket BC, strengthening connections between grassroots participation and
the broader provincial cricket ecosystem.
Cricket as a Tool for Belonging
For Inclusive Canada Foundation, cricket is not only about competition.
Many participants are newcomers to Canada, international students, young adults, youth and members of communities for
whom cricket is culturally familiar but organized opportunities may be difficult to access because of cost, transportation,
awareness, equipment or other barriers.
The Foundation's programming is designed to create welcoming entry points into organized sport while helping participants
build friendships, confidence, community connections and pathways for continued participation.
Programs have included support for newcomer and refugee youth, university and college students, youth under 17, and
participants from diverse cultural communities across British Columbia.
Women's Cricket Becoming a Major Area of Growth
One of the Foundation's most important developments in 2026 is the expansion of opportunities for women and
girls in cricket.
Through Last Woman Stands, women are being provided with additional opportunities to play regularly, develop their skills,
build confidence, take on leadership roles and become more visible within British Columbia's cricket community.
The developing women's pathway complements the Foundation's youth, university and broader community cricket
programming and represents an important next stage in making organized cricket more accessible.
2
Building Youth and University Pathways
Inclusive Canada Foundation has also continued expanding cricket opportunities for younger players and post-secondary
students.
Its under-17 programming creates accessible opportunities for youth to develop skills and experience organized
competition, while its Canadian university and college cricket initiatives connect students from institutions and communities
across British Columbia.
Together, these programs are creating a pathway that can keep participants involved in sport through youth, post-
secondary education and adulthood — as players, coaches, officials, volunteers and community leaders.
A Community Celebration on August 24
The LMS BC Blasters Finals & Grand Award Ceremony will bring many parts of this ecosystem together in Surrey.
In addition to the championship matches, the evening will feature awards, community recognition, introductions,
photography and opportunities for participants to meet community leaders, partners and supporters.
The strongest media, photography and interview window is expected between approximately 5:00 p.m. and 7:30
p.m.
Event Details
LMS BC Blasters Finals & Grand Award Ceremony
Date: Monday, August 24, 2026
Finals begin: 4:00 p.m.
Award ceremony: approximately 6:30 p.m. onward
Location: Newton Athletic Park, 7395 128 St, Surrey, BC V3W 2M7
Attendance / Media Registration: https://forms.gle/rJQ87aLtdGcbNSB2A
Media and Interview Opportunities
Media interviews can be arranged with:
• Inclusive Canada Foundation and LMS Canada leadership;
• participating amateur cricketers;
• representatives involved in women's and Last Woman Stands programming;
• youth-program participants and organizers;
• university and college cricket participants;
• newcomer/community participants; and
• community partners and volunteers.
Media Assets
High-resolution Inclusive Canada Foundation, Last Man Stands and Last Woman Stands logos, along with selected
approved photographs and additional media materials, are available at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1omFhhR_oq-0QUrY0BhiOCGotfiBvDO2l?usp=drive_link
Additional program imagery and videos can be viewed at . Media wishing to use a specific image can
contact the Foundation for the highest-resolution approved version available.
About Inclusive Canada Foundation
Inclusive Canada Foundation works to build inclusive communities through sport, education, health and culture.
Last Man Stands and Last Woman Stands are flagship sport initiatives of Inclusive Canada Foundation, providing
accessible cricket opportunities while supporting physical activity, belonging, mentorship, leadership and community
connection.
In its first four years of operation, programming connected to the Foundation and LMS Canada has generated
1,700+ registrations in British Columbia, while continuing to expand opportunities for newcomers, youth, students,
women and other community participants.
Through its connection to the international Last Man Stands ecosystem, local participants also become part of a
global amateur cricket community spanning 260,000+ participants, 10,000 teams and 180+ cities.
3
Media Contact
Inclusive Canada Foundation / Last Man Stands Canada
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (672) 833-3922
Phone: (778) 863-8693
Website: InclusiveCanada.com
Instagram:
Facebook:
LinkedIn: Man Stands Canada to Bring Cricket, Community and Inclusion
Together at LMS BC Blasters Finals in Surrey
More than 300 attendees expected August 24 as a rapidly growing BC cricket ecosystem expands opportunities for adults,
university students, youth, newcomers, women and girls
SURREY, B.C. — August 2026 — Inclusive Canada Foundation (formerly Last Man Stands Canada DEI Foundation) will
host the 2026 LMS BC Blasters Finals & Grand Award Ceremony on Monday, August 24 at Newton Athletic Park in
Surrey, bringing together cricketers, families, volunteers, community leaders and supporters for a celebration of cricket,
community and inclusion.
The championship finals begin at 4:00 p.m., followed by the principal award and community-recognition activities beginning
at approximately 6:30 p.m. More than 300 attendees are expected, following a BC Blasters season involving 20+ teams.
The event represents only one part of a rapidly developing cricket and community-sport ecosystem in British Columbia.
In just four years of operation, programs connected to Inclusive Canada Foundation and LMS Canada have generated
more than 1,700 registrations in British Columbia, reflecting increasing demand for accessible, organized cricket
opportunities across diverse communities.
From Local Participation to a Global Amateur Cricket Ecosystem
Last Man Stands (LMS) and Last Woman Stands (LWS) are flagship sport initiatives of Inclusive Canada
Foundation.
Through LMS and LWS, the Foundation uses cricket as an accessible platform for physical activity, community connection,
leadership development and belonging, while Inclusive Canada Foundation's broader mandate extends across sport,
education, health and culture.
Last Man Stands is part of one of the world's largest amateur cricket ecosystems, connecting more than 260,000
participants, 10,000 teams and 180 cities globally.
In British Columbia, the growing local footprint includes:
• 24+ LMS BC Blasters teams
• 12+ LMS BC EarlyRisers teams
• 12+ Canadian university and college cricket teams
• 4+ under-17 teams
• 3+ Last Woman Stands women's teams
• newcomer and refugee youth programming
• coaching, mentorship and community-development initiatives
The Foundation is also a proud member of Cricket BC, strengthening connections between grassroots participation and
the broader provincial cricket ecosystem.
Cricket as a Tool for Belonging
For Inclusive Canada Foundation, cricket is not only about competition.
Many participants are newcomers to Canada, international students, young adults, youth and members of communities for
whom cricket is culturally familiar but organized opportunities may be difficult to access because of cost, transportation,
awareness, equipment or other barriers.
The Foundation's programming is designed to create welcoming entry points into organized sport while helping participants
build friendships, confidence, community connections and pathways for continued participation.
Programs have included support for newcomer and refugee youth, university and college students, youth under 17, and
participants from diverse cultural communities across British Columbia.
Women's Cricket Becoming a Major Area of Growth
One of the Foundation's most important developments in 2026 is the expansion of opportunities for women and
girls in cricket.
Through Last Woman Stands, women are being provided with additional opportunities to play regularly, develop their skills,
build confidence, take on leadership roles and become more visible within British Columbia's cricket community.
The developing women's pathway complements the Foundation's youth, university and broader community cricket
programming and represents an important next stage in making organized cricket more accessible.
2
Building Youth and University Pathways
Inclusive Canada Foundation has also continued expanding cricket opportunities for younger players and post-secondary
students.
Its under-17 programming creates accessible opportunities for youth to develop skills and experience organized
competition, while its Canadian university and college cricket initiatives connect students from institutions and communities
across British Columbia.
Together, these programs are creating a pathway that can keep participants involved in sport through youth, post-
secondary education and adulthood — as players, coaches, officials, volunteers and community leaders.
A Community Celebration on August 24
The LMS BC Blasters Finals & Grand Award Ceremony will bring many parts of this ecosystem together in Surrey.
In addition to the championship matches, the evening will feature awards, community recognition, introductions,
photography and opportunities for participants to meet community leaders, partners and supporters.
The strongest media, photography and interview window is expected between approximately 5:00 p.m. and 7:30
p.m.
Event Details
LMS BC Blasters Finals & Grand Award Ceremony
Date: Monday, August 24, 2026
Finals begin: 4:00 p.m.
Award ceremony: approximately 6:30 p.m. onward
Location: Newton Athletic Park, 7395 128 St, Surrey, BC V3W 2M7
Attendance / Media Registration: https://forms.gle/rJQ87aLtdGcbNSB2A
Media and Interview Opportunities
Media interviews can be arranged with:
• Inclusive Canada Foundation and LMS Canada leadership;
• participating amateur cricketers;
• representatives involved in women's and Last Woman Stands programming;
• youth-program participants and organizers;
• university and college cricket participants;
• newcomer/community participants; and
• community partners and volunteers.
Media Assets
High-resolution Inclusive Canada Foundation, Last Man Stands and Last Woman Stands logos, along with selected
approved photographs and additional media materials, are available at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1omFhhR_oq-0QUrY0BhiOCGotfiBvDO2l?usp=drive_link
Additional program imagery and videos can be viewed at . Media wishing to use a specific image can
contact the Foundation for the highest-resolution approved version available.
About Inclusive Canada Foundation
Inclusive Canada Foundation works to build inclusive communities through sport, education, health and culture.
Last Man Stands and Last Woman Stands are flagship sport initiatives of Inclusive Canada Foundation, providing
accessible cricket opportunities while supporting physical activity, belonging, mentorship, leadership and community
connection.
In its first four years of operation, programming connected to the Foundation and LMS Canada has generated
1,700+ registrations in British Columbia, while continuing to expand opportunities for newcomers, youth, students,
women and other community participants.
Through its connection to the international Last Man Stands ecosystem, local participants also become part of a
global amateur cricket community spanning 260,000+ participants, 10,000 teams and 180+ cities.
3
Media Contact
Inclusive Canada Foundation / Last Man Stands Canada
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (672) 833-3922
Phone: (778) 863-8693
Website: InclusiveCanada.com
Instagram:
Facebook:
LinkedIn:
