Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) remains a semi-professional league with many players juggling other jobs alongside their careers in rugby. Despite challenges such as lacking a title sponsor and no prize money for champions, the league has been highlighted by the presence of Ilona Maher, whose social media following has propelled awareness and excitement. Her brief tenure with Bristol Bears led to smashing attendance records, demonstrating the potential for growth. The league's future looks promising as Maher's influence continues to inspire and attract both fans and players to women's rugby.
Since December, when it was announced she was joining Bristol Bears on a three-month deal, Maher has been proudly waving the PWR flag in the face of a captivated global audience.
Maher's impact on attendance was remarkable; over 9,000 fans attended her first game in early January, smashing the attendance record for a standalone PWR game.
Daisie Mayes, Bristol Bears Women's general manager, remarked, 'That was the dream (a record-attendance crowd) we've been trying to achieve for a while, and to see that off the back of one person was just incredible.'
Ilona Maher, with 8.4 million followers, has become a self-made megastar, promoting both rugby and body-positive messages for women and girls.
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