Ilona Maher Gets Emotional After Final Rugby Match with Bristol Bears

Mar. 15, 2025

From Left: Bristol Bears' Ilona Maher on Jan. 5, 2025; and Maher on Instagram.Photo:Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty; Ilona Maher/Instagram

Bristol Bears' Ilona Maher ahead of the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby match at Ashton Gate, Bristol. Picture date: Sunday January 5, 2024; Ilona Maher cries after playing last rugby game for the Bristol Bears

Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty; Ilona Maher/Instagram

She then called for fans to continue their support: “Fill these seats. We’re setting records and we need you to buy the shirt, come to the games. Women support women. Come and help us.”Maher’s first game in the U.K. was so popular, it required a venue change. According toThe Associated Press, the match moved to a much larger stadium, Ashton Gate, to hold a record-breaking 9,240 fans. Yet, Maher only played 20 minutes on the field.

“It’s been an honor to wear this jersey and I just hope that we can continue, even when I’m not playing in the PWR, because there is something special going on here,” Maher said at the end of her video.

Ilona Maher warming up with the Bristol Bears on Mar. 2.Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty

Bristol Bears' Ilona Maher warming up before the Premiership Women’s Rugby semi-final match at Kingsholm, Gloucester. Picture date: Sunday March 2, 2025.

Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty

Ilona Maher (center) following defeat with the Briston Bears on Sunday, March 2, 2025.Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty

Bristol Bears' Ilona Maher (centre) following defeat in the Premiership Women’s Rugby semi-final match at Kingsholm, Gloucester. Picture date: Sunday March 2, 2025

Earlier this year, Maher discussed her adjustment to life in the U.K. withPEOPLE— including an adjustment to playing 15s.

“I think it’s just good to get back into 15s because I’ve been playing Sevens for six years, so I wanted to go somewhere where I can really immerse myself and really see the game in that way and feel it out,” she said. “Because if I want to pursue this World Cup thing, I want to be the best player that Team USA needs or that they deserve.”

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Alan Bersten and Ilona Maher on ‘Dancing with the Stars.'.Disney/Eric McCandless

ALAN BERSTEN, ILONA MAHER

Disney/Eric McCandless

Maher rose to stardom after competing in the 2024 ParisOlympics. But what really brought her into the public eye was her social media presence. The athlete has drawn in over 8.5 million followers on Instagram and TikTok.

After competing on the world stage, Maher placed second onDancing with the Starswith partnerAlan Bersten.

source: people.com

Ilona Maher Gets Emotional After Final Rugby Match with Bristol Bears

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