Mark Winokur - Club Coach 

Entering his seventh year as the Club Coach after many years as Club Captain and Associate Coach, Mark will be looking to repeat the success of 1999, 2002 (Ontario Senior League & McCormick Cup Champions) & 2004 (Ontario Senior League Champions and McCormick Finalists).  Born in New Jersey, he attended the University of Guelph, and joined the Irish in 1982.  A hooker, he played for the T.R.U. from 1986-1990, the Ontario provincial team in 1989, and represented Canada at the Maccabiah Games in 1989.  

His coaching credits include the O.R.U. Development Side as an assistant coach in 1991; guiding the Colts to the TRU Finals in 1994, winning the Ontario championship in 1995 and reaching the ORU finals in 1996.  He was involved with the C.C.S.D. in 1995 as a coaching intern, and he was on the coaching staff of the Toronto Renegades and Head Coach of the Ontario Under 21 squad in 2000.  

Mark coached the Toronto Renegades Development side (Vipers) in 2002 and in 2003, he was named coach of the Toronto Xtreme, the Toronto based entry in the Rugby Canada Super League, and led them to the National Final. He remains on as the Xtreme's head coach.  Also, he was named co- coach for the RCSL All Star teams which played the New Zealand Maori in Ottawa in 2003, and England Counties in Edmonton in 2004.  In 2005, Mark was the head coach of the 2005 Maccabiah Games Canadian Squad which competed in Israel in June, and was named as a selector for Canadian Men's Senior Team.  

Mark has travelled to England (Broughton Park) and to Victoria, BC, as a guest of the Pacific Pride and other top BC Premier League sides to enhance his coaching knowledge.

Neil Maxwell - Coach Men's Developmental XV 

In mid 2005, Neil stepped back into the role of Development XV Coach.  Joining the club in 1987, Neil came up through the very strong Junior program, which he captained in 1989 & 1990.  Neil has a great deal experience in many positions (playing every position on the field, the exception being hooker), with blind side flanker and # 8 being preferred.  In the early 90's, Neil captained the Development squad, and finally worked his way into the starting 1st XV line-up in 1995.  He became coach of  the Development program in 1997, when chronic back woes took him out of the game.  In 1998, Neil was elected as Club Captain of the ICRC, a post he held until 2003.  In 1999, he coached together with John Nikora, winning the Development side championship.  In 2000, after comeback attempt was abandoned with an ACL tear, Neil continued to coach the Development XV, and in 2002 was joined by Ian Galbraith.  He stepped away before the 2003 season and concentrated on the administrative side of the club.

Koko is entering his second year in charge of the Irish Women’s program after six years with the Yeomen Women where he led them to six consecutive Cup Final appearances including Cup Championships in 2001 and 2002, and OWL League Championships in 2000 and 2002.  In his first season with the Irish, he successfully led the integration of the merger between the ICRC and Yeomen players to a second place finish in the OWL and a Cup semi-final appearance.  Koko has also served as Assistant Coach for the Ontario senior Women in 2001 and was the first Manager/Assistant Coach for the Ontario U19 Women in 1994 and 1995.  In 2005, Koko was appointed Head Coach for the Ontario U19 Women, who became the National Champions over British Columbia.

Meag returns for her second year as an Assistant Coach in charge of the forwards.  A former Canadian international with 5 caps, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience at the highest level to the Irish program.  Meag was the co-coach of the Ontario U17 Women that won the National Championship in 2004.  She is also currently the Head Coach of the McMaster University Varsity Women’s Team and has revitalized a once stagnant program and is on the way to being one of the premier university sides in the province.

Karen brings a vast knowledge and experience to the newly formed Irish Junior Women from her years playing for Ontario Senior Women and in the OWL.  One of the most dangerous wingers to ever play in the province, her leadership skills and vision will be a great benefit to the junior players who are looking to improve their skills and abilities.  “Ferg” will also continue her role as Assistant Coach in charge of the backs for the Irish senior women.

Mary is a welcome addition to the Irish Women’s coaching staff.  She has previous experience junior coaching experience as she was co-coach with the NRU junior women who won the Gold Medal at the Ontario Summer Games in 2002.  Mary’s playing experience with AN Meyer H.S. in Niagara Falls, the University of Western Ontario and the Yeomen/Irish Women gives her the ability to pass on a vast knowledge of the game onto the younger players in the club.  Her passion for the club and for teaching younger players will undoubtedly make the junior program a success.

Chris Jackson  - Head Athletic Therapist 

Chris Jackson, B.Sc., C.A.T.© has been the athletic therapist for the ICRC for the last 11 of 13 years.  He is also the club strength and conditioning consultant.  C.J. is a graduate of McMaster University, Sheridan College and the Canadian College of Osteopathy and he is currently working towards his doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine in Manual Practice.

CJ is also a professor in the Sports Injury Management Program at Sheridan College and is the founder of the International Sport Performance group.  SP is a multidisciplinary group who work in the development of athletes, including injury prevention and treatment of all acute and chronic injuries.  

He is also currently the athletic therapist for the Toronto Xtreme of the Rugby Canadian Super League and has worked with the Canadian National Team over the last few years.

Ashley Halket  - Athletic Therapist 

Ashley Halket B.A.Kin, CSCS, CAT(C) is in her first year as the athletic therapist for the ICRC.  Ashley is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and Sheridan College, and she plans to pursue her Masters in Rehabilitative Science next fall.  In 2004, she also obtained her Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification with the NSCA.

Ashley has worked with a variety of sports teams over the last few years and was the recipient of the Hamilton Tiger Cats scholarship in 2004.  She is currently working at Fairview Physiotherapy and Wellness Centre in Brantford where she is also the head athletic therapist for the Brantford Minor Hockey Association.