One of the biggest names in rugby will join Bristol Bears in 2025, with USA Eagles star Ilona Maher heading to the club on a three-month deal in January.
The 28-year-old Olympic bronze medallist – the most followed rugby player in the world on social media, boasting more than eight million followers – has arrived in the West Country with immediate effect to meet her new teammates and begin training this week, before heading home until the New Year.
Maher joins the Bears with her sights set on earning a place in the USA squad for the 2025 World Cup in England, with two quarter-finals and both semi-finals taking place at Ashton Gate.
The versatile back, who can operate at centre and wing, made her international debut at the 2018 Paris Sevens tournament and from there, competed at the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 on home soil in San Francisco and later the Tokyo 2020 Olympics held in 2021.
A now two-time Olympian, Maher would consecutively be selected for the Paris 2024 games three years later, showcasing a devasting combination of speed and power.
Maher earned an invite to the Women’s Eagles fifteens camp in 2021, making her official debut against Canada during the Pacific Four Series in Glendale, CO.
Dave Ward
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.”
Maher said: “I am excited to join the Bristol Bears and put myself in the best position to earn a spot to represent USA in the 2025 Rugby World Cup alongside such a talented and driven group as the Bears.”
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