"There's a culture of rugby that we have to shift little bit"-Ilona Maher makes her feelings known about sport's evolution to attract broader audience

Ilona Maher who secured the first bronze medal for the US in rugby at the Paris Olympics 2024 has given enlightening thoughts regarding the sport. The rising idol has shed light on the fact that rugby needs more players for its growth.

Maher, who started playing rugby when she was 17, has recently reflected on the sport and its popularity. The social media personality who advocates for body positivity was awarded the MA Sorensen Award for National Player of the Year.

The rising athlete has amassed more than seven million followers through her social media platforms. She also had a successful debut in the Premiership Women's Rugby League in England with Bristol Bears. Maher gave her first completed try against the Exeter Chiefs as the Bears won the game with a leading scoreline. Maher revealed her thoughts afterward during a press conference for Wales Online.

“I think is that there's something special happening not just in England but around the world when it comes to women's sports and women's rugby. And my message is I kind of said it before but like if I'm what gets you to experience it'd be a little bit great but I really hope you understand how cool of a sport it is,” she said [0:06 onwards].

“And all these amazing players that there are, my message is I think that you know we're always trying to get more people to play rugby; that's our big thing but I think we also have to change it to get just more fans out. I don't care if you've never played rugby in your life; I don't care if you don't know the rules; come out to a game and start to learn a new sport, like get a new hobby of coming out to rugby games,” she added.

Maher further continued:

“And so I think is that this is something that people need to take notice of and it's really a fun thing for not just playing but watching. There's a culture of rugby that we have to shift a little bit because it is an amazing sport but it is an old sport. It's been happening for years and so if we keep talking about we want to get young people in like how do we get young people in the game? The young people are online. Young people are connecting with these people through the apps, through the videos they see, and I think that we just have to kind of shift our mindset if we want this sport to evolve.”

Maher also mentioned which personalities act as a source of inspiration for her.

Ilona Maher on why she would avoid boxing and which personalities inspire her

Ilona Maher at Rugby Sevens - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 3 - Source: Getty

With her impressive performances on-field and positive online presence, Ilona Maher has earned her fair share of supporters. During a short interview with the Bleacher Report, Maher revealed which sport scared her the most and why she would not engage in boxing.

“Boxing. I’ve never been punched before. That scares me. Getting up there just tryna hit somebody as hard as you can. It’s like what I do, but like different, you know?,” she said.

The athlete also shared how rugby is “fun” to observe and participate in. She further reflected that the “community” revolving around the sport is “really special”. Ilona Maher continued stating that the competition remains on-field and off-field everyone respects and admires one another.

While growing up, the two-time Olympian had athletes who she looked up to for influence. Shedding light upon the sports personalities who had a positive and inspiring effect on her, Ilona Maher named former US women's soccer star Mia Hamm and tennis legend Serena Williams.