Ilona Maher Makes Instant Impact on Bristol Bears Debut

Ilona Maher, the most-followed rugby union player on social media, made an immediate impact on her debut for Bristol Bears, despite playing just 20 minutes in their loss to Gloucester-Hartpury. The Bears moved the game from their usual ground to Ashton Gate in December after Maher’s arrival sparked a buzz across women’s rugby in the UK. A record 9,240 fans attended the game, breaking the previous attendance record and setting a new benchmark for a standalone Premiership Women’s Rugby game.

With over eight million social media followers, Maher has become a key advocate for body positivity and women’s sports. Her fame skyrocketed after she won bronze with the USA rugby sevens team at the Paris Olympics and finished as a runner-up on Dancing With The Stars. Major outlets like Forbes and Sports Illustrated have featured her. A documentary crew from Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine, followed her at Ashton Gate for a future project.

Although Maher is on a short-term deal with Bristol while aiming for selection for the USA’s Rugby World Cup this summer, her influence is undeniable. Fans traveled from Kentucky and Washington DC to watch her play with some sporting shirts bearing her name. Maher expressed pride in her impact but emphasized the need for more rugby stars to gain recognition to grow the sport.

On the field, Ilona Maher felt nervous before her debut but quickly regained confidence. With five weeks of regular-season games remaining, Maher is eager to continue learning and contributing to the Bears’ success. She is determined to bring more attention to women’s rugby, advocating for the spotlight to be shared with other talented players like Holly Aitchison and Jaz Joyce.