Impact: Ilona Maher’s move makes history
Last week, it was announced that Maher would join the Bristol Bears on a short-term contract ahead of the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
A specialist in sevens, the United States native has made the move with the hopes of reigniting her 15s career ahead of next summer’s spectacle.
The switch comes off the back of a huge year, one that has seen her become the sport’s most followed player – male or female – on social.
Her bronze medal in Paris was followed up by a second-place finish in the US version of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ alongside partner Alan Bersten.
But now all eyes are on January when Maher links up with her new teammates in the PWR league.
“To be with some of the best players in the world, who play such a crisp game that I would love to play, I just know I am going to learn so much from them. I hope I am going to get up to that level,” she said on her move.
Ilona had barely stepped foot on English soil by the time her arrival began to rock supporters, so much so, that her potential opener had to be moved to a bigger ground.
Bristol’s clash with Gloucester-Hartpury on 5 January was due to be played a Shaftesbury Park, which seats 200.
Now it will be held at the 27,000-capacity Ashton Gate Stadium due to “unprecedented demand”.
She may not be lacing up her boots to play by then, but Maher is encouraging fans to come regardless in support of rugby.
“If I am what gets them in the door, awesome, but I hope that the rugby being played is what makes them stay,” she said.
“Come for the TikTok girl, but stay for rugby which will be on par with the best.”
Every sport has an athlete who creates a shift within their respective field, whether they mean to or not.
Where Alex Morgan drove the standards of football, and Caitlin Clark the crowds of basketball, Maher could very well cement her own legacy in the sport she loves with this stint overseas.
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source link
