Burlington native and U.S. rugby standout Ilona Maher now has very own Barbie doll.

Maher, an Olympic medalist, social media influencer, outspoken body positivity advocate, and professional rugby player in the U.K., is being recognized not only for her success on the field but also for her candid approach to confidence and authenticity. As part of the campaign, Mattel announced the creation of a one-of-a-kind Ilona Maher Barbie doll, set to go on sale in 2026.

The Maher doll features an all-new “Muscular” sculpt designed to reflect the physique of strong athletes — with visibly defined arms, shoulders, and legs — marking one of Barbie’s most realistic portrayals of a female sports figure to date.

“We all doubt ourselves at times, myself included,” Maher said in a statement released by Mattel. “But I am where I am today because I kept showing up anyway. If sharing my story can inspire other young girls to believe in themselves the way I have, then I’ll have truly made an impact. Being part of Team Barbie is about showing girls that confidence isn’t something to shy away from, but something to own.”

Maher joins Ellie Kildunne of England, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe of New Zealand, and Nassira Konde of France as the inaugural members of Team Barbie. Together, they represent a new era of visibility for women in rugby — a sport often viewed as male-dominated.

Mattel says the initiative stems from global research showing that one in three girls stop playing sports by age 14, citing body confidence and lack of role models as major factors. The company is making donations to girls’ sports programs in the U.S., U.K., France, and New Zealand to address these challenges.

“By showcasing the stories of incredible role models like Ilona, whose confidence has fueled groundbreaking success, we’re showing girls that the future of sports — or wherever their passion takes them — is theirs to claim,” said Krista Berger, Senior Vice President of Barbie at Mattel.

For Maher, who grew up in Burlington and starred at BurlingtonHigh School, and has become one of the most recognizable faces in women’s rugby, the partnership with Barbie represents a full-circle moment — blending her message of strength and self-acceptance with one of the world’s most iconic brands.

“Confidence is a muscle,” Maher said. “You build it through hard work, mistakes, and showing up as your full self — and that’s what I hope girls see in this doll.”

To learn more about Team Barbie and Barbie’s International Day of the Girl celebration, visit @Barbie on social media.