Help Support Our 2026 Billets

The Imports are coming!!

For the past couple years, Markham Irish have experimented with and benefitted tremendously from having overseas players join us for the season. Primarily from St. Mary’s club in Ireland, our Imports have helped us fill gaps where we lacked depth, improve our quality of play and expose our domestic players to new ideas, skills and game sense. They’ve also been tremendous additions to our off-field environment and culture, and some have helped coach some of our junior sides!

Of course, the benefits go both ways. These young athletes are exposed to a new culture, an away from home experience, and the chance to experience some of Canadas greatest assets such as cottage country, Niagara Falls and gridlock! 

There is no question our import experiment has been a win-win situation and we look forward to it becoming a permanent part of annual operations

We are actively working to organize our newest crop of rugby imports. 2 senior men and 2 senior women seems to be a good starting point each year.

We need your help!

To make this program successful, we need help with accommodation and employment opportunities.  Here is some information on where you can help:

Billeting:

Our experience has been that billeting is the best way for this program to work. They’re still young athletes in their early 20’s and living in a house with various supports is invaluable! Each billeted player contributes financially to their eating requirements, and signs a code of conduct. This provides guardrails, but the kids tend to be really appreciative house guests.

The time period is from early May to late august, and the guests are not dependants. They will be self sufficient and expected to take care of themselves. However, our experience has been that in lots of cases, genuine friendships develop and the players become family. Bonus!

If you have an available room (or two) or know someone who does and are interested in more information, please reach out to markhamirishrugbyclub@gmail.com.

Employment:  

All players come with work visas which allows them to be legally employed. They’re young, fit, eager, coachable and used to working in team environments. They need to be off Tuesday/Thursday evenings and Saturdays to play rugby, but otherwise can fit into any part or full time opportunities. Generally the best roles are entry level labour positions, but some athletes come with experience and skill sets in different areas. 

If you have any opportunities or know who might, we’d love to put you together! Please reach out to markhamirishrugbyclub@gmail.com.

Your help makes the experience for our import players all the more memorable!