Ilona Maher: US rugby star joins the UK's Bristol Bears
American rugby star Ilona Maher is relocating to the UK to play for the Bristol Bears.
The rugby sevens athlete, with 3.3 million followers on TikTok and 4.6 million on Instagram, revealed her transition to the Premiership Women's Rugby league on Monday through a video shot at Ashton Gate Stadium, where the Bears play.
"I'm excited to make Bristol my home as we prepare for the Rugby World Cup 2025, which will take place here in England," Maher stated.
She made a lighthearted comment about the chilly weather and wondered if she could have a roast meal after finishing the video, mentioning that it was a major motivation for her visit.
The 28-year-old gained popularity during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics by sharing frequent videos on social media from the Olympic Village, as the COVID pandemic prevented fans and family from attending the events in person.
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Maher kept creating entertaining videos during the Paris games this summer, where she earned a bronze medal. Her achievement contributed to the women's rugby sevens team bringing home the United States' first rugby medal in a century, even though the sport had been absent from the Olympics for 92 years.
Her active presence on social media has made her the most followed rugby player globally.
In contrast, France's Antoine Dupont, whom many regard as one of the best rugby union players of all time and one of the most well-known faces in the sport today, has about 1.1 million followers on Instagram and 171,000 on X.
Bristol Bears' head coach, Dave Ward, referred to Maher as "one of the most prominent figures in women's sports," emphasizing that she will bring significant benefits to the team from the West Country.
"Her skills with the ball will add a fresh element to our offense, and her determination to shine in the Rugby World Cup in England next summer is a powerful motivation for her to excel at Bears," he stated.
"Her role as an athlete, serving as a source of inspiration for future generations, perfectly matches our mission as a club. We wholeheartedly commend her efforts and the positive impact she is making—and will continue to make—in women's sports."
The Bears announced that Maher is already in Bristol to start training. However, he plans to head back to the United States for Christmas and will return to the UK in the new year.
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The Women's Rugby World Cup is scheduled to occur in the UK starting next August.
Maher has relocated to the UK following her second-place finish on Dancing With The Stars, the American counterpart of Strictly Come Dancing, which concluded last week.
She mentioned during an interview with ABC's Good Morning America that she joined the reality dance competition to demonstrate that "rugby players have varied skills."
