Ilona Maher made a ton of headlines earlier this year after the Paris Olympics when she joined DWTS. That was a completely new experience for the athlete, but it not only allowed her to try something completely different in life but also brought with it a large fan following. Since then, she has brilliantly kept a hold of her fanbase and keeps them updated every once in a while about her life.

As her DWTS journey came to an end and she emerged as the runner-up in the event, the rugby player has already turned her focus back to the sport, eagerly anticipating a new journey in England. Indeed, Maher has secured a new contract with the Bristol Bears and is set to start playing by January 2025. Her popularity has already led to the sale of many tickets, and she has not refrained from further promoting it on her social media. However, it also featured a particular challenge from her teammate, who is set to replicate soccer star Chloe Kelly’s iconic celebration under a certain condition.

Set to shine in England

Since winning a bronze medal with the United States at the Paris Olympics, Ilona Maher has not participated in any rugby events but instead focused on DWTS. It was something new in her life, but it brought her a ton of popularity, making her one of the most followed players in the sport. So did the 28-year-old forget about rugby? Absolutely not! Even though she has an Olympic medal to her name, she knows about her potential, as she can achieve a ton of other accolades in the sport.

“Make sure you buy your tickets for the January 5th match at @ashtongatestadium in the hopes of seeing this happen,” Maher stated in her Instagram story, reposting her teammate Hannah Botterman’s challenge. Although she has only recently joined her new team, she has played a significant role in promoting the event, as the Bristol Bears have already sold over 5,000 tickets, surpassing the previous record. According to Maher’s teammate, if the South Stand of the stadium reaches 10,000 in ticket sales and Botterman scores during the game, the English rugby player will replicate the iconic celebration of Chloe Kelly.

The game challenge is quite simple, as Botterman has to take off her shirt and swing it around her head like the soccer player did back in 2022. It wasn’t just any goal by the winger, but she led England to victory over Germany during extra time in the Euro finals. She led the goal with this iconic celebration, symbolizing unity among the players and empowering many women worldwide. Replicating this moment would undoubtedly depend on the outcome of the match, but with over 5,000 tickets already sold, fans can expect a thrilling match from Maher’s team. While this will also be another new experience for her to compete in a different country, she isn’t shying away from taking up this challenge.

Ilona Maher’s thoughts on this new adventure

The 2025 Rugby World Cup will be here in a few months, and Ilona Maher is already readying up for it. But how? She has signed up to play for the Bristol Bears, and under this contract, she would be getting a knack for what is about to come in the future. Speaking to The Guardian, the DWTS star revealed, stating, “All of a sudden I was getting all of these calls and emails from people saying, ‘We’re hearing you might be eligible to play; you want to come for us?’ I feel like the first day of school. I’m nervous. But this is what I love.” 

Owing to her rise in popularity, Maher was overwhelmed by the amount of contacts she has made in recent months. But all of that didn’t make her quit her love for sports, especially competing in rugby. Signing for Bristol Bears on a three-month contract is a huge deal, as it wouldn’t just give her a new perspective in the sport but also certain challenges that she would be delighted to face.

With this, she also stressed the financial struggles; as a female athlete, she has to pursue just more than competing in the sport itself. Indeed, the rugby player has faced numerous challenges throughout her journey in the sport, but with her head held high, she has faced them in a determined manner and has overcome many odds.