Moala Sisters Represent U.S. at Youth Olympics

Eseta and Luisa Moala competed for the United States in women's rugby sevens at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Olympics

Moala Sisters Represent U.S. at Youth Olympics

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The U.S. women's rugby sevens team finished sixth at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, after winning two of three games on the final day. Sisters Eseta and Luisa Moala both represented the United States, with Luisa serving as co-captain and carrying the American flag at the opening ceremony.

Why it matters

The Dakar competition gives young U.S. athletes an international platform in a sport the country is preparing to host at the highest level. Senior players including Ilona Maher, who helped the U.S. win bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics, reached out to the youth athletes ahead of the games.

Ilona Maher has nearly nine million social media followers, and the U.S. national youth program offers one camp and one or two competitions a year. The extraction does not specify how these figures translate into youth participation numbers.

The players

Ilona Maher

An American rugby player who helped the U.S. win bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics and has built a large social media following.

World Rugby

The sport's international governing body, which awarded the United States the men's 2031 and women's 2033 Rugby World Cups.

The details

Eseta Moala, age 11 when she discovered rugby, said the sport gave her a sense of belonging among players her size or bigger, and she credited Maher's embrace of her muscular build with helping her appreciate her own body. At a U.S. Embassy jersey presentation in Dakar, Maher recorded a personalized video message for Moala, and senior players sent similar messages to other youth athletes.

Age 11: Eseta Moala discovers rugby.
2024 Paris Olympics: Ilona Maher helps the U.S. win rugby bronze.
Nov. 3, 2026: U.S. women's sevens plays its final two wins in Dakar.
2031: The U.S. hosts the men's Rugby World Cup.
2033: The U.S. hosts the women's Rugby World Cup.

Season Trajectory

The Paris 2024 bronze medal by the U.S. women's rugby sevens squad, in which Ilona Maher played a central role, set a visible benchmark for the program. The Dakar youth results and the 2031 and 2033 Rugby World Cup awards place the American program on a longer development path toward those hosting years.

Fantasy and roster watchers should note that the U.S. women's sevens squad now has Luisa Moala as co-captain and Eseta Moala as a rising player to track. The extraction does not identify any scheduled upcoming competitions for these athletes.

The takeaway

Youth programs and senior mentorship are shaping the next wave of American rugby players, and the Moala sisters' experience shows how early participation can build belonging and confidence. The U.S. hosting the 2031 and 2033 Rugby World Cups gives these athletes a clear long-term target.