The superstar American joining Bristol Bears

After months of speculation, Ilona Maher has joined the English side Bristol Bears on a short-term deal ahead of next year’s Women’s World Cup. The deal, only lasting three months, is designed to allow the experienced sevens player time to challenge for the USA squad in 2025.

Speaking about her upcoming journey, Maher said: “I am excited to join the Bristol Bears and put myself in the best position to earn a spot to represent the USA in the 2025 Rugby World Cup alongside such a talented and driven group as the Bears.”

Bears head coach, Dave Ward, said: “This is a huge coup to be able to bring Ilona Maher to Bristol Bears on a short-term deal. She is one of the biggest names in women’s sport, let alone rugby, and we believe she will add real value to our programme on and off the field.

“Ilona is one of the standout stars in the sevens game and we can’t wait to see her play for Bears in XVs. Her ability ball in hand will give our attack a new dimension and her desire to star in the Rugby World Cup in England next summer is a huge driving force for her to achieve great things at Bears.

“Her profile as an athlete to inspire the next generation aligns exactly with ours as a club and we can only applaud the work she has and will do for the women’s game.”

For those who haven’t been living under a rugby ball-shaped rock for the past year, let us explain who this new rugby phenomenon is.

Maher is the most followed rugby player on social media with 4.6 million followers on Instagram and over seven million followers across all platforms. The 28-year-old rose to international fame last year when Team USA Sevens won Olympic bronze for the first ever time at the 2024 Paris Games.

A versatile player, Maher has previously operated in the centres and on the wing but has confirmed that she would be open to a placement in the back row if deemed suitable. From Burlington, Vermont, the world’s most famous female rugby spent much of her childhood heavily involved in sports, focused on hockey, baseball and softball, before finally turning her attention to rugby. Prior to her Olympic exploits, Maher achieved a high level of education, completing her bachelor’s degree in nursing at Quinnipiac University before gaining her master’s degree in business administration from DeVry University.

Maher’s first major breakthrough came in 2018 when she made her international debut at a Sevens tournament in Paris. From there, she competed at the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 on home soil in San Francisco and later at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Maher was invited to the Women’s Eagles fifteens camp in 2021, making her official debut against Canada during the Pacific Four Series.

At 1.70m and 90kg, Maher is known for her powerful style of play in both attack and defence, Not only this, but due to her impressive physical stature, the American has become somewhat of an icon for women everywhere, setting a new standard of physical acceptance. Recently appearing on the front cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, Maher said:

“I was always like, you know, called masculine or whatever,

“But I never felt that way. But I don’t think you’re going to bully the girl who could probably beat you up in a rage. I love that [rugby] showed me what I can do. It showed me how capable my body is and it’s not just like a tool to be looked at and objectified.” 

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit editor-in-chief MJ Day added: “Ilona is a modern-day role model of strength, conviction and authenticity while at the same time displaying the indomitable spirit of an inspirational human. Her ability to break barriers, both on and off the field, resonates deeply with women everywhere. Ilona’s presence on our cover symbolizes a shift in the narrative—one that celebrates not only physical prowess but also the courage to lead, inspire and advocate for change. We couldn’t feel more excited and inspired by this revolutionary athlete and feminist trailblazer!”

This is a huge growth opportunity for Maher, Bristol Bears, and the entire sport of women’s rugby.