Ilona Maher makes her feelings known on missing Burns Night celebration with Bristol Bears team

Ilona Maher expressed disappointment over missing the Bristol Bears team's Burns Night celebration. The American was not a part of Bears' last match since she recovered from the nose injury sustained in the fixture against Leicester Tigers.

Maher made her PWR debut with the Bears team on January 3, 2025, witnessing a record crowd at the Ashton Gate Stadium. She next took the field against the Exeter Chiefs, scoring the first try and anchoring her team to a 41-31 victory. Maher's next stint against the Leicester Tigers left her with a nose injury, keeping her out of the clash with the Trailfinder Women.

Shortly after, she took to her Instagram story to react to her teammates engaging in fun times amid practice. The Bears' official Instagram page featured the members gathered to celebrate Burns Night, an occasion celebrated on January 25 to honor Scotland's National Bard.

"When you surprise the team with a Burns Night celebration," the post caption read.

Maher shared the post in her story and wrote:

"I missed this training so of course it was a ton of fun."

Ilona Maher reacts to the Bears team celebrating Burns Night; Instagram - @ilonamaher

This came after the Bristol Bears succumbed to the Trailfinder Women 38-29. Despite the loss, Maher highlighted the thrill the match served. Expressing joy in seeing rugby take flight for greater heights, she said:

"Tough result and heartbroken for the team but that game today was f*"ing exciting and you all need to start watching. Women's rugby is on another level."

Maher was an integral part of the US women's rugby team that won bronze at the Paris Olympics. The monumental podium finish was the US women's rugby sevens team's first in history.

Ilona Maher shared that she would want to do more new things to overcome her fears

Ilona Maher spotted before her DWTS performance - November 7, 2024 - (Source: Getty)

Ilona Maher was a celebrity participant in the 33rd season of the Dancing With the Stars, clinching the runner-up position. Though she won hearts and scores with her impressive dancing skills, she was initially for the reality show. Now when she conquered the dancing challenge, the rugby player talked about wanting to try more things with the fear factor.

"I was so excited to have done Dancing with the Stars. It was very tough, but I also feel like that was great. I did it. What can I do next? What's another thing that I could try? Another thing to check off and give a go? So it was amazing and I did so many cool things last year, but I am excited to try new things that I haven't even thought of yet that do scare me in a way," Maher said. (via People)

She added:

"I can't think of them now, but I know there's so much,” she added jokingly. “Even DWTS was always a no no, no. And then now when it came to me, we agreed to it and it was a great decision for me.”

Ilona Maher has become a body positivity advocate for embracing feminity as a player associated with a masculine sport, rugby.