Ilona Maher, who helped Team USA win a bronze medal in sevens at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is joining Premiership Rugby side Bristol Bears on a three-month deal that starts in January. Maher, a 28-year-old Vermont native, announced the news on social media in conjunction with the club.

EXCITING NEWS FOR FANS OF ILONA MAHER... THE vermont native and OLYMPIC MEDALIST has signed A PROFESSIONAL rugby CONTRACT WITH THE BRISTOL BEARS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. MAHER WAS A PART OF THE FIRST WOMEN'S RUGBY TEAM TO MEDAL FOR THE UNITED STATES IN RUGBY 7'S.

American rugby sevens star Ilona Maher will join 15-a-side club Bristol in January in a bid to play in next year's women's Rugby World Cup, the English club announced on Monday."I am excited to join the Bristol Bears and put myself in the best position to earn a spot to represent USA in the 2025 Rugby World Cup alongside such a talented and driven group as the Bears,

Ilona Maher has set her sights on featuring at next summer’s Rugby World Cup after signing for Bristol Bears in England’s Professional Women’s Rugby (PWR). Olympic bronze medallist Maher had been the subject of interest from several PWR clubs after making her intentions to chase a World Cup spot with the United States clear.