dating blind women's rugby squad 2020 live today

CHOFU, JAPAN - JULY 29: Ilona Maher of Team United States looks out as she prepares to lead her team out onto the field for the Women’s pool C match between Team United States and Team Japan during the Rugby Sevens on day six of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Stadium on July 29, 2021 in Chofu, Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by )

When Ilona Maher isn’t dominating on the rugby field while representing Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics, she’s going viral on TikTok.

The 24-year-old has become a star on the social media platform by giving fans a front-row seat to the fun in Tokyo as the U.S. women’s rugby squad chases its first Olympic medal. (Team USA recently beat Japan and China to advance out of the group stage to the quarterfinals on Friday).

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Maher’s videos are a wry, witty, and engaging peek at the action in Tokyo, where spectators have been banned due to the COVID-19 state of emergency there, that have garnered tens of millions of views. Her notable clips include trying to talk to her “kiwi coach” while social distancing, modeling Ralph Lauren’s Olympic uniforms (especially that bucket hat), or trying to work up the courage to go talk to Romanian volleyball players. (“It is not easy to go up to a pack of six, seven Romanian volleyball players and shoot my shot, ” she said in one video. “I mean, I’ll work on it. But I don’t know if that’s in the cards for me.”)

Maher’s U.S. rugby teammates make frequent appearances; they racked up over 6.8 million views (so far) when she and some teammates tested the Olympic Village’s infamous cardboard beds. Maher highlights their on-field success in post-game interviews breaking down Jordan Maytas’ tackles and Kristi Kershe’s two tries against China on Thursday. Maher also spotlights her teammates’ skills off the pitch. Joanne “Nana” Fa’avesi, who not only plays hooker and prop on the field, but apparently doubles as the team’s hair stylist. “We would be lost without Nana Faavesi, ” Maher wrote over a video of Fa’avesi diligently braiding the hair of multiple teammates.

We would be lost without Nana Faavesi #beastbeautybrains #usarugby #braider #tokyoolympics #tokyo2020 #teammates #teamusa #olympictiktok ♬ original sound – Cardi B FanPage

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Maher, a Vermont native, played Rugby in college at Quinnipiac University, has struck a chord with fans who appreciate her honesty and openness. “I started playing rugby my senior year of high school. I don’t love my body all the but I’ve grown to really appreciate it. I get very mad at myself when I make mistakes, ” she shared. “I’m self conscious that my personality may be too much for some people.”

While the Olympian is clearly match fit and ready to rumble on the rugby field, she did admit to spending six hours per day on the app. Maher said that much online can be a challenge in a video she shared of herself creating TikTok content “so the world can get an inside look” at the Olympic Games. To soundtrack the clip, she chose Reba McEntire’s “I’m a Survivor” to highlight the fact that she is working two jobs at the moment—Olympic athlete and TikTok influencer.Over the past three years, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted ’s community and opportunities. Amongst many things that were affected by the pandemic, ’s Club Women’s Rugby team was one program fighting for survival. During the “social hiatus” of fall 2020, the club sports team unfortunately disbanded without the opportunity to meet, practice and compete.

However, this summer, four students — Caroline Moses ’24, Margaux McBride ’24, Josie McWhorter ’24 and Delaney McDowell ’25 — came together with hopes of starting up the team again. They wanted to provide a space and community for other young women to learn and play rugby. The four navigated through various hurdles but were able to build the team from the ground up, making it a collaborative effort.

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Many other students showed interest in joining the team, despite most having no rugby experience. Although Moses and McBride are the only team members who knew how to play before this fall, observing the team at practice, one would have no idea that most players just picked up the sport.

Practices are full of high-intensity gameplay, perfecting technical skills and, most importantly, cheering each other on. Asked to comment on the team’s progress, Emerson Wells ’23, said, “Everyone is coming from the same base level of understanding, or a lack of understanding, about rugby. So, it’s been cool to all be on the same page and all grow from not knowing anything to now being able to play a game.”

In talking to team members, it was clear that regardless of whether they had even heard of rugby before this fall, each member was glad to have it in their life. This fall, the team has become a tight-knit community, having fun on and off the rugby pitch through paint nights, surprise birthday parties and team dinners. A few people referred to the team as a family, and in talking to various members, this is certainly a shared sentiment— the bond and sense of community the members have is strong.

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Both new and seasoned team members discussed the physical and mental benefits of being a part of a club sports team, ranging from stress relief, getting in better shape, gaining leadership skills and confidence, and having a sense of community.

“It actually has helped my mental health a lot; coming to practice is the highlight of my week because I know that I’m going to have a good time and I always leave feeling better than when I came in, ” said Ivy Montague ’23.

Niya Kelly ’25 adds to this, explaining that her first year of college had its rough patches but that now with the club in her life, she feels like she has found her place at .

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Despite most players being first-timers on the rugby pitch, the team has made many advances and has even won against other women’s teams in games. With a new coach helping improve the team’s technique, their next goal is to have enough players to do 15-a-side games, or 15s, in the spring semester. Sam Schwamberger ’23, comments on the team’s progress, expressing how important it is to have both women’s and men’s club rugby teams on campus.

“Rugby has been a huge part of my life, so to be able to experience it with is really fun, and I’ve met some pretty amazing people, ” said Margaux McBride ’24.

If you are interested in joining the Women’s Club Rugby team, contact Caroline Moses, the club president, at cmoses@. Regardless of any prior experience, there is a spot for anyone and everyone willing to learn.

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