U.S. rugby star Ilona Maher made her debut for the Bristol Bears women’s team in front of a record home crowd of 9,240 fans on Sunday. Despite her impressive social media following and recent success at the Paris Games, Maher could not prevent Bristol from losing 40-17 to defending champion Gloucester-Hartpury in a Premiership Women’s Rugby match. She came on as a substitute in the 61st minute with Bristol trailing 28-10 but struggled to make a significant impact on the game in her 20 minutes on the field. The match was relocated to Ashton Gate to accommodate the high demand for tickets due to the excitement surrounding Maher’s debut, breaking the previous attendance record for a Bristol women’s home match.
Maher, a 28-year-old native of Vermont, helped lead the U.S. to a bronze medal in rugby sevens at the Paris Games and has signed a three-month contract with Bristol in southwestern England. She has more than 8 million followers on social media and was a runner-up on the “Dancing With The Stars” TV show, adding to her popularity off the field. Maher’s return to the 15-a-side game with Bristol is aimed at improving her chances of making the U.S. team for the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England, showcasing her versatility as a player who can excel at both wing and center positions.
The record attendance for the Bristol Bears women’s match was also a record for a stand-alone game in the Premiership, highlighting the growing interest in women’s rugby in England. Harlequins, the league-leading team, set a women’s club rugby attendance record when 18,055 fans watched them defeat Leicester Tigers 42-17 at Twickenham Stadium in a doubleheader event. These impressive turnout numbers demonstrate the increasing popularity of women’s rugby and the support from fans for top teams and players like Maher.
Despite the loss to Gloucester-Hartpury, Maher’s debut with the Bristol Bears women’s team drew significant attention and highlighted her transition back to the 15-a-side game in pursuit of a spot on the U.S. team for the Rugby World Cup. Her presence on the field was eagerly anticipated by fans, resulting in a record attendance that reflected the excitement surrounding her signing with Bristol. As she continues to train and compete with the team in England, Maher’s performance will be closely watched by supporters and observers looking to see how she contributes to the success of the team and enhances her own prospects for international competition.
The high attendance numbers at the Bristol Bears women’s match and the record-setting games for other top teams like Harlequins demonstrate the growing popularity and visibility of women’s rugby in England. These events not only showcase the talent and skill of the players but also the dedicated fan base that is supporting the growth of the sport. Maher’s presence in the Premiership Women’s Rugby league adds to the excitement and anticipation surrounding games, drawing in new followers to the sport and underscoring the importance of elevating women’s rugby to a wider audience.
As Maher continues to make her mark in the Premiership Women’s Rugby league with Bristol, her journey back to the 15-a-side game and pursuit of a spot on the U.S. team for the 2025 Rugby World Cup will be closely followed by fans and supporters. Her debut match may have ended in defeat, but it was a milestone moment in her career and helped break attendance records for women’s rugby in England. With her social media presence and popularity, Maher has the platform to inspire new audiences and elevate the visibility of the sport, contributing to the ongoing growth and success of women’s rugby on a global scale.
