Ilona Maher: Rugby union needs culture shift to create stars and grow the game
2 months ago

Ilona Maher: Rugby union needs culture shift to create stars and grow the game

The Independent  

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. With more than eight million followers across Instagram and TikTok, 28-year-old American international back Maher is the world’s most followed rugby player on social media. Currently playing Premiership Women’s Rugby with Bristol Bears on a three-month contract, Maher hopes to be part of the United States’ World Cup squad in England later this year. We have to shift our mindset if the sport is going to evolve.” I want to show you can do both – play good rugby and post good videos. Ilona Maher England is set to stage the biggest women’s Rugby World Cup during August and September, with an 82,000 sold-out final at Allianz Stadium being the targeted crescendo.

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History of this topic

U.S. superstar Ilona Maher and her impact in England: ‘She wants to lift the whole sport with her’
2 weeks, 5 days ago

U.S. superstar Ilona Maher and her impact in England: ‘She wants to lift the whole sport with her’

New York Times  

Premiership Women’s Rugby, England’s elite league for women’s 15-a-side rugby union, is still semi-professional. “That was a real ‘pinch-me’ moment.” Maher made her Bristol Bears debut in January Fans travelled to Bristol from as far afield as North America, even though they knew Maher — making the switch from sevens, the smaller format of the game, to full-sized 15s, playing …

Ilona Maher: US rugby star tearfully ends her short but significant time in England with Bristol Bears Women
2 weeks, 5 days ago

Ilona Maher: US rugby star tearfully ends her short but significant time in England with Bristol Bears Women

CNN  

CNN — American star Ilona Maher bid a tearful farewell to English rugby as she played her final game with Bristol Bears Women. “To all of you, women’s rugby is changing … please keep coming out and supporting and fill these seats,” a visibly emotional Maher said on Instagram after the game. Having spent most of her recent career playing …

Ilona Maher ‘loves being a superstar’ as Bristol signing looks to grow the game
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Ilona Maher ‘loves being a superstar’ as Bristol signing looks to grow the game

The Independent  

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‘Trailblazer’ Ilona Maher showing the way, says World Rugby chief
2 months, 3 weeks ago

‘Trailblazer’ Ilona Maher showing the way, says World Rugby chief

The Independent  

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Why we MUST move rugby to the summer and how a new calendar could look, writes CHRIS FOY
3 months, 1 week ago

Why we MUST move rugby to the summer and how a new calendar could look, writes CHRIS FOY

Daily Mail  

A move to abandon the mid-winter slog should be high on the agenda and it shouldn't need Darragh or any other storm to justify the idea. Rugby should move to abandon the mid-winter slog and play its competitions in the summer When the talk turns to how a ball is like a 'bar of soap', it is no surprise when …

How Bristol won an Instagram war to sign rugby's biggest star, who needs her own social media manager and is more popular than Antoine Dupont and Siya Kolisi combined: RUGBY CONFIDENTIAL
3 months, 2 weeks ago

How Bristol won an Instagram war to sign rugby's biggest star, who needs her own social media manager and is more popular than Antoine Dupont and Siya Kolisi combined: RUGBY CONFIDENTIAL

Daily Mail  

Ilona Maher was preparing to perform on Dancing With the Stars in Los Angeles when she first heard from Bristol Bears. Our social media guys are above every other club, they suit her style and she felt we could amplify what she tries to do on her profile.’ After the deal was announced on Monday evening, Bristol women’s social media …

Ilona Maher: U.S. rugby star joins Bristol Bears ahead of Women’s Rugby World Cup
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Ilona Maher: U.S. rugby star joins Bristol Bears ahead of Women’s Rugby World Cup

New York Times  

Ilona Maher, the world’s most-followed rugby player on social media, has joined Premiership Women’s Rugby club Bristol Bears on a three-month contract. The move means Maher has completed her return to full XVs rugby for the first time since 2021, having played exclusively the sevens code for the past three years — helping the U.S. to a bronze medal position …

Paris Olympics sweetheart: Rugby player Ilona Maher promotes body positivity through social media
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Paris Olympics sweetheart: Rugby player Ilona Maher promotes body positivity through social media

Associated Press  

PARIS — Ilona Maher, America’s rugby-playing social media sweetheart, walked onto the terrace of Team USA House carrying a sandwich, the United States’ first ever rugby sevens Olympic medal hanging around her neck. “I think the stereotype around a rugby player is this idea that you need to drop your femininity and play a very masculine, brutal sport,” Maher said …

Meet Ilona Maher, USA’s rugby sevens star at Paris Games 2024 who recruited Jason Kelce as superfan
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Meet Ilona Maher, USA’s rugby sevens star at Paris Games 2024 who recruited Jason Kelce as superfan

Hindustan Times  

Ilona Maher became the talk of the town when the USA women’s rugby sevens team clinched the bronze medal on Tuesday. However, she has always had a strong social media presence and has advocated for women’s sports and body positivity through her Instagram posts. Ilona Maher of the United States celebrates scoring a try Her breakout moment on the international …

Olympic breakout star Ilona Maher aims to shatter stereotypes about women athletes
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Olympic breakout star Ilona Maher aims to shatter stereotypes about women athletes

LA Times  

The Americans’ stunning bronze-medal win in women’s rugby sevens Tuesday was so big even Ilona Maher didn’t know what to say. She’s still feminine and sexy but she’s still got big muscles.’ “They see that they can become strong and they can become buff and still be gorgeous.” United States’ Ilona Maher celebrates after winning their women’s quarterfinal rugby sevens …

US women win a first Olympic medal in rugby sevens with a comeback victory over Australia
7 months, 3 weeks ago

US women win a first Olympic medal in rugby sevens with a comeback victory over Australia

Associated Press  

SAINT-DENIS, France — Alex Sedrick ran the length of the field, dived in under the posts and then calmly took the conversion, securing a first Olympic rugby sevens medal for the United States with a 14-12, last-minute upset over Australia. “And then for her to have to make the kick as well, and she’s not our kicker.” The American women …

Rugby star Ilona Maher's brilliant scoring run for Team USA at 2024 Olympics draws major reaction from Ravens running back Derrick Henry
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Rugby star Ilona Maher's brilliant scoring run for Team USA at 2024 Olympics draws major reaction from Ravens running back Derrick Henry

Daily Mail  

USA Rugby sensation Ilona Maher's brilliant scoring run against Japan is inspiring NFL players back in the States. Running back Derrick Henry began his first training camp with the Baltimore Ravens this week, where he was asked for his reaction to the viral highlight that Maher produced during Team USA's 36-7 win over Japan on Sunday. Ilona Maher of United …

Who is Ilona Maher? Here’s what to know about the US women’s rugby sevens Olympian and TikTok star
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Who is Ilona Maher? Here’s what to know about the US women’s rugby sevens Olympian and TikTok star

Associated Press  

SAINT-DENIS, France — Rugby sevens star Ilona Maher has been a huge hit on social media as the U.S. women’s team has progressed to the semifinals at the Paris Olympics. She’s also producing some big hits on opponents at Stade de France as a regular starter for the U.S. women’s rugby sevens team. Maher and her rugby sevens teammates tested …

Premiership Women’s Rugby launches new era for the domestic game
1 year, 4 months ago

Premiership Women’s Rugby launches new era for the domestic game

The Independent  

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'I get abuse for the way I dress but... sport's not just for men in suits!': Orla Chennaoui, TNT's new face of Premiership Rugby, on empowering female presenters
1 year, 5 months ago

'I get abuse for the way I dress but... sport's not just for men in suits!': Orla Chennaoui, TNT's new face of Premiership Rugby, on empowering female presenters

Daily Mail  

For Orla Chennaoui, there is one upside to the abuse she regularly receives on social media. ‘It’s mostly about how I look or how I dress, which is standard fare for a woman,’ sighs the new face of Friday night Premiership Rugby on TNT Sports. Orla Chennaoui is the new face of Friday night Premiership Rugby on TNT Sports ‘The …

Summer of female sporting events inspires millions of women to get back into the game
1 year, 5 months ago

Summer of female sporting events inspires millions of women to get back into the game

The Independent  

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Kiwi players hope World Cup will leave lasting legacy in rugby-mad homeland
1 year, 7 months ago

Kiwi players hope World Cup will leave lasting legacy in rugby-mad homeland

The Hindu  

The Women’s World Cup has drawn record crowds in co-host New Zealand, with early concerns about ticket sales in the small island nation that predominantly supports rugby long forgotten. Knowing which one to find is a struggle at times.” New Zealand will have hosted 29 matches over the course of the tournament, including the Football Ferns’ thrilling 1-0 victory over …

Premiership Women’s Rugby hailed as ‘new era’ for the sport following launch
1 year, 8 months ago

Premiership Women’s Rugby hailed as ‘new era’ for the sport following launch

The Independent  

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'Landmark day,' Overseas stars hail BCCI's announcement for successful Women's Premier League bidders
2 years, 1 month ago

'Landmark day,' Overseas stars hail BCCI's announcement for successful Women's Premier League bidders

Firstpost  

Several current and former women cricketers hailed Wednesday as a ’landmark day’, after the BCCI announced the five successful bidders for the Women’s Premier League teams. New Delhi: As the BCCI announced the successful bidders for the five Women’s Premier League teams, overseas stars hailed the ‘’landmark day’’, saying the development will impact female sports across the globe. Former England …

The Athletic’s WNBA and women’s soccer project launch
2 years, 4 months ago

The Athletic’s WNBA and women’s soccer project launch

New York Times  

As part of The Athletic’s expansion of women’s sports coverage and supported by Google, we are excited to launch the first of four content series that will take readers to places they have never been in the worlds of women’s basketball and women’s soccer. In January, our women’s football desk gets into the act, kicking off an eight-month project following …

Lionesses can inspire England to Rugby World Cup success, says Maggie Alphonsi
2 years, 5 months ago

Lionesses can inspire England to Rugby World Cup success, says Maggie Alphonsi

The Independent  

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Harlequins’ ‘Big Game’ the latest milestone along a whirlwind journey for women’s rugby
3 years, 2 months ago

Harlequins’ ‘Big Game’ the latest milestone along a whirlwind journey for women’s rugby

The Independent  

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Women in sports broadcasting: Creating a space of their own
3 years, 10 months ago

Women in sports broadcasting: Creating a space of their own

The Hindu  

The Pakistan team had landed with the 1992 World Cup trophy and she had been assigned the task of getting an interview with skipper Imran Khan. The number of women sports anchors has grown a great deal in recent years – both for men’s sport, but also as women’s sports have gained greater professionalism and profile.” Aalia was the first …

The 2014 World Cup victory that helped women's rugby escape ignorance and rat-infested offices
4 years, 10 months ago

The 2014 World Cup victory that helped women's rugby escape ignorance and rat-infested offices

The Telegraph  

England’s momentous victory also consolidated the merging of the RFUW with the RFU. It was meant to be a sort of temporary office, but we stayed in them for years.” Today, the world of women’s rugby is a far cry from Street’s rat-infested office. He believes the RFU “missed a trick” in choosing to prioritise the women’s sevens programme in …

It's never been a better time to be a woman in sport, if you don't mind the sexism
6 years, 3 months ago

It's never been a better time to be a woman in sport, if you don't mind the sexism

ABC  

In the lead-up to the announcement of the first-ever women's Ballon d'Or — 62 years after the men's award began — Australian nominee Sam Kerr took to Instagram to acknowledge the significance of the occasion: "For the first time a woman will win football's highest honour. A week ago, the Australian women's cricket team arrived for the first time to …

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