Ilona Maher hopes to inspire more players and elevate them to superstar status in women’s rugby.
Seven-time Olympic bronze medalist Maher announced her entry into English rugby by helping Bristol Bears set a club record by attracting just over 9,000 spectators for the women’s match at Ashton Gate.
The eagerly anticipated debut against Premiership champions Gloucester-Hartpury dazzled fans in Kentucky and Washington DC, with Maher spending more than an hour signing autographs and posing for photos after the game.
With over 8 million followers on Instagram and TikTok, 28-year-old American back Maher is the world’s most followed rugby player on social media.
She will undoubtedly make a big impact during her three-month stay in Bristol, and also at the Women’s World Cup in England later this year, where Maher hopes to be a member of the U.S. national team.
Her dedication to the sport, passion and engagement with supporters have made her a box office ticket.
“I love being a superstar.” she said “People call me a rugby superstar, but in sport that’s not enough.
“We can’t have just one superstar. We need to have more superstars. We need to make sure people connect with a wide variety of players. This is what will grow our game.
“Right now, it’s like, ‘Oh, it’s Ilona Maher. It’s like they’re thinking, ‘We need to get her involved in this, this, this.’ That’s where I want to develop these teammates.
“I’m always trying to lift my U.S. Sevens teammates. During the Olympics, many people put out media and grew their following.
“I saw strength in it. I have seen the power of people connecting with individuals and engaging in sports.
“People connect with (American basketball player) Caitlin Clark and go to the games, which brings in more fans.
“If I can get more people connected to (Bristol teammates) Holly Aitchison, Jaz Joyce and Evie Gallagher, my goal is to bring them in and bring the fans.
“It’s great to be the face of a sport that isn’t often thought of as a women’s sport.
“The impact I’m having is felt by both men and women, and some of the best male athletes in the world have said, ‘Keep doing what you’re doing.’
“I think everyone knows the value of it. When one person rises, we all rise.
“So I’m really proud of what I’ve done and the impact I’ve had on social media and the way people treat themselves, not only in terms of rugby but also in terms of body positivity.”
Maher’s focus on the pitch will be to push for Bristol’s place in the play-offs after a 40-17 defeat against Gloucester-Hartpury left them seven points adrift of the top four.
They visit Exeter on Sunday before returning to Ashton Gate for an appointment with Leicester on January 18 and there is expected to be another large attendance.
Reflecting on the 20 minutes the Bears greeted him on the bench, Maher said: “I just tried to look and understand.
“I think you learn more and more with each game. You learn a lot from a loss, but it also fires you up for the next game.”
