Rugby isn’t just a game for Ilona Maher—it’s a platform for change. The 28-year-old American rugby star has inspired millions. And not just with her skills but with her unapologetic message of body positivity. But her influence didn’t stop at the try line in her Bristol Bears debut. It rippled through the crowd and into the hearts of young athletes who looked up to her.

Among them was 16-year-old Zara, a young rugby player who doesn’t just see Ilona as a star on the field but as a role model redefining what it means to be a female athlete. In a sport often dominated by traditional notions of strength, Ilona stands tall as a beacon of change, proving that power and femininity can coexist. Inspired by Ilona’s debut, Zara’s message is one of empowerment—a call to embrace individuality in a world filled with stereotypes. So, what exactly did Zara say that left such a lasting impression?

 Zara’s powerful message on breaking stereotypes

But to Zara, Ilona Maher’s impact is a long way from over. “Ilona’s changed the perception of body image by showing that you can be muscly and strong and powerful and wear a dress,” said Zara. Her sentiments ring a chord that echoed in many young female athletes and yet find a way to align that with the expectations placed upon them by society. As she mentioned, “I know a lot of young girls struggle with that.”.

Zara is from North Bristol Rugby Club, the same club as Millie, and talked of how athletic builds were stereotyped as masculine. “Just because you play a sport, it doesn’t define how you can be as a person—how you have to look, how you have to act,” she added.

This is an important message, particularly in rugby, a sport that worships strength and power. Having relocated cities themselves for the sport because there were no local girls’ sides, Zara and Millie said Ilona was a role model, redefining what a female athlete should be. To them, Ilona stands as proof that strength and femininity can both exist, and this is empowering for the two to be full athletes.

Ilona Maher’s debut and the ripple effect

It was not just a game for Ilona Maher’s debut for the Bristol Bears; it was to change women’s rugby. With a record crowd of 9,240, the previous attendance record was more than doubled. This means that this could be a new chapter for the sport. A big contingent of mostly those who have never watched a rugby game to view the star of TikTok and Instagram in action.

Although Ilona played only 20 minutes as a substitute, her presence had an undeniable impact. Young players like Zara and Millie shared how Ilona’s message of embracing strength and individuality changed their perspectives. “She’s had a massive effect,” Zara said. “People who might never have watched rugby are showing up because of her.”

Ilona wants to help young women be more positive about themselves. And it is not just about rugby. It goes both on and off the pitch. In a conversation with BBC, she says, “My message to [girls] would be to make sure you give yourself grace and are gentle with your body.” Ilona stays for 90 minutes after the match to meet with her fans. This helps to not limit herself to her sport when meeting people.

Ilona Maher isn’t just moving the needle; it’s in the record attendance numbers and the conversation. This changes perceptions and breaks stereotypes. And it shows girls like Zara and Millie that they can be strong but still be feminine. As Zara said, Ilona’s impact goes well beyond the pitch. “She’s showing girls like me that we can be whoever we want to be on and off the field, ” says Zara

With the imminent Women’s Rugby World Cup and the work to grow female participation in the sport, Ilona is here. And she is adding to what many refer to as a “Lionesses moment” for rugby. The game’s future is bright, and Ilona Maher is lighting the way.