Bristol Coach Dave Ward Foresees “Devastating” Impact from Ilona Maher

Bristol Bears coach Dave Ward stated that English rugby is unprepared for the impact American player Ilona Maher is expected to have on the field, noting her impressive performance in her initial session with the team. Maher, an Olympic sevens bronze medalist from Paris this past summer, is set to commence a three-month contract with the Bears in January. The 28-year-old is a significant social media personality, boasting 4.5 million followers on Instagram and 3.2 million on TikTok; however, Ward emphasized that the new dimension Maher will bring to his team is of greater importance to him. Ward stated, “She’s going to shock people when she plays 15s,” adding, “I think she is going to be devastating. She is someone with the pace of [England and Ealing Trailfinders wing] Abby Dow, the size of [England and Bristol second row] Abbie Ward, and a step.” He continued, “You’ve got a fantastic rugby player there. She is going to be a massive asset to our game and give us a completely different dynamic.” Ward further explained, “Everyone knows about the social media following and that is all well and good, but, from my perspective, we saw a world-class rugby player who wanted to come and play 15s and was looking for the best league and hopefully the best programme.” He concluded, “That is what we wanted to represent.” Maher, who previously appeared on the US television program Dancing With The Stars, is scheduled to return home for Christmas before commencing serious training with Bristol in the new year. Nevertheless, she participated in a skills session with her new teammates on Monday and, despite a four-month hiatus from the sport, she impressed Ward with her passing, conditioning, and enthusiasm. Maher played a pivotal role in the United States team that secured their inaugural Olympic women’s sevens medal in Paris. Ward commented, “She was ripping the ball off her right and left hand just as well as [centre] Phoebe Murray.” Ward cautioned that the Premiership Women’s Rugby match for Bristol on 5 January against Gloucester-Hartpury, the team that defeated the Bears in last season’s final, might be premature for Maher’s involvement as she continues to reacquaint herself with the 15-a-side format, which she last played in 2021. He anticipates Maher beginning her Bristol career as a wing but also projected her potential involvement in the midfield and back row, noting that United States coach Sione Fukofuka is eager to explore various options in anticipation of her possible participation in the Rugby World Cup in England in August. Ward stated, “We have not closed a door on any of those… she could play in all those positions,” adding, “Imagine her out the back of a pod of Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman and Lark Atkin-Davies – who are you going to defend?” He concluded, “It is exciting. I am excited talking about it and I think our fans are going to be excited to watch it.”