Who is Ilona Maher?
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An Olympic bronze medallist and the world's most followed rugby player on social media, Ilona Maher is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in rugby.
With over eight million followers across her social media platforms, including 4.6 million on Instagram, Maher has become a household name in the sport over the past four years.
After winning Olympic bronze for the USA at Paris 2024 and finishing runner-up in the 2024 season of Dancing with the Stars, the 28-year-old has now crossed the pond to sign for Bristol Bears in Premiership Women's Rugby.
She will join Bears for a three-month contract in January, with ambitions to represent the USA Eagles during the 2025 Rugby World Cup which will place on English soil next year.
Here's all you need to know about the latest addition to Bear Country.
When did Ilona Maher start playing rugby?
Maher joined the sport relatively late compared to most internationals, having played hockey, basketball and softball at high school.
Having always had one eye on the sport due to her dad's involvement, Maher recalls attending touch-flag rugby matches as a child before she finally took the plunge and picked up a rugby ball aged 17.
Maher evidently thrived from the offset at Quinnipiac University, earning All-American Honours, three titles with the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association as well as being honoured with the MA Sorenson Award, delivered to the best women's rugby player in college athletics.
From there, Maher centred on her dream of becoming an Olympian by focussing on the sevens format and made her international debut for the USA at the 2018 Paris Sevens tournament.
What is Ilona Maher's 15s experience?
Maher's signing with Bears marks her return to XVs for the first time since 2021, having focused on sevens for the past three years in her bid to make the Olympic team.
She earned her first invite to the Women's Eagles XV camp in 2021, making her official debut against Canada during the Pacific Four Series in Glendale, CO.
A utility back, Maher has played international XVs on the wing and at centre in her college years but has expressed a desire to play in the back row at Bristol.
Ilona Maher at the Olympics and Dancing with the Stars
Maher first rose to prominence on social media during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, raking up millions of likes on TikTok as the USA finished sixth overall.
From there, her following swelled and she now holds the title as the most followed rugby player in the world.
At Paris 2024, she was a part of the first USA team to win a sevens medal when they defeated Australia 14-12 in the bronze medal match.
Following her Paris 2024 success, the rugby player was named as a contestant on the US version of Strictly Come Dancing - Dancing With the Stars - finishing as runner-up in the final alongside dance partner Alan Bersten.
During the show, she dedicated one of her dances to her US Olympic teammates whilst also becoming the first female contestant to lift their male partner during a dance.
Why Ilona Maher is the biggest signing in PWR history
With Maher announcing her return to XVs by moving to the PWR, she has turned the eyes of the world to the league.
Comments on her announcement video are already showing the impact of her move, with fans asking how they can support the PWR and learn more about the sport to keep up with her journey.
All in all, a staggering 4.6 million Instagram followers and a further 3.3 million on TikTok will only help to showcase the league's success around the globe, as Maher looks to meet her own sporting ambitions and promote women's rugby to a whole new level.
