Airdrie's weekend rugby tournament honours legacy of founding member

On Saturday, the Airdrie Highlanders Rugby Club hosted the annual Francis Cup to honour the legacy of an Airdrie resident. This is the second year the tournament has taken place. 

The tournament was named after Kyle Francis, a local rugby enthusiast and a founding member of the Airdrie Highlanders. Francis passed away in 2021 but left a lasting mark on the local sports community. Karley Francis, the widow of Kyle said that rugby has always and will always continue to hold a very special place in her and her family's heart.

On Saturday the Airdrie Highlanders Rugby Club hosted the annual Francis Cup to honour the legacy of an Airdrie resident. (Photo credit to Jillian Young)
 

"The Francis Cup [that was] held on Saturday, truly touches our hearts; that Kyle's legacy is being remembered in this way," she said. "He loved coaching kids and having the whole community be a part of rugby, it was truly his passion. To see all the kids in the community come together for such a large event in his name is just truly inspiring."

On Saturday the Airdrie Highlanders Rugby Club hosted the annual Francis Cup to honour the legacy of an Airdrie resident. (Photo credit to Jillian Young)
 

The tournament saw children from all age ranges play, from six to 12 years old as well as high school-aged youth.

"The turnout was amazing and we just love to be a part of it and come and watch," Francis added. "Even though my kids aren't currently playing, we still like to be there and just enjoy all the happy kids and the fun time they're having." 

When asked what Francis would think of a tournament in his honour, his wife said that there would be plenty of laughs and smiles.

"I know that no matter who was playing rugby, or what kind of rugby event it was, it always boosted his mood and just brought so much to his life," she said.

The Francis Cup saw teams from Cochrane, Calgary as well as Okotoks. City officials also attended the tournament, including Airdrie city councillor Tina Petrow.

The local rugby club is also reminding residents that it is currently accepting registration. 

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