Meeting the Maher Sisters
As soon as I meet Olivia Maher, the elder sister and manager of Ilona, one of the world’s most renowned rugby players, she swiftly removes a stray hair from my coat before guiding me to her younger sister, Adrianna. This small act of kindness immediately puts me at ease, a clear indication that the Maher sisters embody a strong commitment to uplifting women—a quality we already anticipated.
Supporting Each Other
Olivia and Adrianna are in search of their seats at Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester, England, which is temporarily renamed ‘Queensholm’ for the day. This is due to Gloucester-Hartpury’s women’s team competing against the Bristol Bears, a club that Ilona joined in January, for a spot in the Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) final.
The sisters graciously offer me a seat, a reflection of a family ethos likely passed down from Ilona. She has cultivated an impressive following of 8.4 million across social media platforms by embracing her authentic self, posting genuine content, and motivating others to do the same. Her body-positive messages have deeply connected with countless girls and women, complemented by her playful spirit.
Ilona’s Influence
“She inspires us,” Olivia, 30, shares, encouraging her younger sister to weigh in.
“Ilona is genuinely herself and always encourages Olivia and me to embrace that,” Adrianna, 25, adds.
Embracing Authenticity
“It’s not that we aren’t being ourselves,” Olivia, the creator of the viral ‘girl dinner’ trend that surged on social media in 2023, interjects. “It’s just about posting as we really are.”
“I’ve had a journey of revealing my true self to my family while sometimes holding back in public,” Adrianna explains. “Ilona always challenges me: ‘Why restrict yourself? Just be yourself!’”
“I’ve found so much joy in sharing my true self because the weirder you are, the more relatable you become,” Olivia adds. “That’s how I conceptualized the girl dinner trend. Ilona was in the back of my mind urging me to post it, and for the first time, I shared something raw and unedited. Now I get to pursue my passion for food content while traveling the world for rugby.”
The Power of Sisterhood
“I wouldn’t necessarily call us famous; we consider ourselves nepo sisters,” Adrianna says with a laugh.
“Professional nepo sisters,” Olivia chimes in. “We get to experience it all together, and it’s incredibly fun. This truly feels like a sisterly venture.”
Ilona’s Rise to Fame
Last year, after earning a bronze medal in rugby sevens at the Paris Olympic Games, Ilona graced the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and was the runner-up on the 33rd season of U.S. reality show Dancing With The Stars. Growing up in Burlington, Vermont, in a “nature-filled” environment, their Dutch mother, Mieneke, and American father, Michael, instilled a love for sports in their daughters, encouraging them to participate in sports every school year. They believed that girls who play sports are more likely to become leaders.
Ilona, currently based in San Diego, was recently named in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Sports List for 2025. With an influx of fan mail and endorsement opportunities, she has secured a partnership with Adidas to be the face of a new women’s rugby boot launching later this year.
Navigating the Business of Sports
The Maher sisters have enlisted the help of Range Sports agent Rheann Engelke, while Olivia prefers the title of “full-time sister” over manager, a role she embraces wholeheartedly.
“It’s a full-on experience,” Olivia admits. “There aren’t any real breaks, but that’s fine because it’s my dream job.”
Adrianna has stepped back to focus on her own career in human rights in New York City, but she still offers valuable insights and advice to her sisters on various projects.
Shared Experiences
Last year, while walking through an airport, Adrianna spotted Ilona on screens during a rerun of DWTS. Another surreal moment for her was seeing herself and her sisters on the cover of Cherry Bombe magazine, which celebrates women in the food and drink industry.
Cheering for Ilona
The sisters proudly take on the role of Ilona’s biggest cheerleaders. As she tackles her opponents, Olivia exclaims, “Careful with my girl, please!”
“We can be pretty loud in our support,” admits Adrianna, donning a Bristol Bears cap. “We’ve toned it down a bit, but our excitement remains high.”
Embracing the Rugby Community
The Mahers have been warmly welcomed by the rugby community in England as they join in chants and proudly wave their hands to support Ilona during the match. “Way to work!” Olivia shouts when Ilona makes a significant tackle.
For many of the 6,700 fans in attendance, Ilona is the key attraction, especially since her arrival in January has drawn remarkable crowds to her games, including over 9,000 enthusiastic fans for her first standalone PWR match.
Match Recap
While Bristol initially sprinted ahead with two tries, Ilona managed to score her fifth try for the club before being substituted in the second half. However, the joy of the match turned sour as Gloucester triumphed with a 36-20 victory, advancing to the final.
Post-Match Connections
After the final whistle, Olivia and Adrianna navigate through the crowd of fans eager to connect with Ilona. “I want to greet everyone here, so I won’t sign anything; I’ll just wave,” Ilona states, though she ultimately succumbs to fans requesting selfies.
Following her around the pitch, Olivia encourages fans to prepare their cameras for photos with their favorite player.
Adrianna admits she finds it surreal when people recognize her and is still coming to terms with her sister’s fame. “She’s just my sister; she’s a normal person,” she reassures a fan.
The Strength of Family
Ilona attributes much of her drive to her family’s unwavering support. “My sisters and family motivate me to strive for success. They cheer for me regardless of the outcome; their love remains constant.”
“Well…” Olivia adds playfully after Bristol’s loss.
Such is the dynamic nature of sisterhood.
(Top image: Adrianna, Olivia, and Ilona Maher; Caoimhe O’Neill/The Athletic)
