The viral rugby star has eight million followers across Instagram and TikTok, making her the most followed rugby union player globally. In conversation with Epigram, she spoke about her move to the local team. (Keep an eye out – you might see her out and about in Bristol.)
By Izzy Fraser, Third Year, English Literature
On Sunday 5th January, Ilona Maher made her debut as a member of the Bristol Bears. Despite their eventual 40-17 defeat against Premiership champions Gloucester-Hartpury, the impact of Ilona’s arrival was tangible. A crowd of 9,240 fans came to support Olympic bronze medallist.
“I’ve learnt how to bring myself back down, and just play for my teammates,” Maher told Epigram on her approach to the match. “In that first game in those twenty minutes, all I did was make a tackle. Even though all these people [in the crowd] are so excited to see me, I’m not just playing for them – I’m playing for my teammates.”
Since this match, Maher scored her first try as a Bear in the team’s away match against the Exeter Chiefs Women’s team.
“The atmosphere was really fantastic” said Hannah Vischer, a 21-year-old graduate from the University of Bristol who attended Maher's debut match. “I previously was a rugby player myself, so I have grown up watching a lot of women’s rugby specifically. I’ve never been to a game that is a premiership, and not a national game, that was that well packed out.”
“The sound was incredible in the stadium, and it was such a wholesome event.” Vischer told Epigram. “I’m so glad that women’s rugby is getting the recognition that it deserves.”
Living locally, Vischer said she had “heard rumours” online that Maher may be making the move to the Bristol Bears before she was confirmed to be joining the fifteens. “It’s so surreal to know that someone you’ve been following, that millions of people know and love, is now in the same city as you.”
“I’ve always loved the PWR” said Maher on her move. “I’ve always wanted to join because I love that they are trying to do a rebrand to grow this game in a country like England that loves rugby.”
Maher admires how The PWR are questioning how to get fans in for the women’s games in the capacity they do for men’s ones.
Maher signed the 3-month contract with the Bears in anticipation of the 2025 Rugby World Cup, saying she is “getting immersed in the best rugby there is”. Previously playing in the USA rugby sevens team, the fifteens is a step out of her comfort zone and towards the tournament later in the year.
“The fifteens is no joke,” Maher admitted.
“It is a very professional environment here, a collaborative working together,” said Maher regarding the culture of The Bristol Bears. “I think we have that as well in my American team, but it’s a different environment at times,” said Maher, emphasising what is sometimes a divide between coaches and players.
“I’ve been playing for the sevens team for six years now, I’ve been the top dog for a little bit. I’ve made every tournament, I’ve made two Olympics, I knew my place. It’s been interesting to come here and not really know where I stand.” Maher also emphasised the friendly, welcoming nature of the team.
Since Maher’s recent move, The Bristol Bears Women’s social media following has increased significantly, and ticket sales have skyrocketed. Attendance more than doubled the previous record to a Bristol Bears match, setting a new high benchmark for Women’s premiership rugby. However, this isn’t enough for Maher.
“Getting these record numbers is great for the three months that I’m here, but can we get these people in for the next game? One and done is not enough.” Maher explained this is one of the reasons why she interacted for over an hour after the match.
“There’s something special happening, not just in England, but around the world in women’s sports and women’s rugby,” said Maher. “We’re always trying to get more people to play rugby, but I think [it’s also important to] get more fans out.”
“We’re seeing more and more girls wanting to play, but there’s [too little] opportunities for them,” echoes Vischer who started playing rugby when she was 12. “[At the match, I saw] little girls wearing her shirt, and The Bears shirt. It’s so lovely to see, and I hope there will be more people like her bringing awareness and spreading the love of the game.”
“[Ilona Maher] loves her sport, and she fits in like she doesn’t elsewhere because of her body type. I think that is such a powerful message for young girls and young women who want to fit into a sport but haven’t really found the one for them yet.”
“I always tell people, whenever you move to a new city, go find a rugby team because you will immediately have a social network,” Maher told Epigram when asked what she would say to female students wanting to start rugby.
“You could immediately find someone to live with, someone that could help you find a job. Go try it – you don’t have to love it, but go out there and see what your body is capable of.”