Matildas superstar Mary Fowler has said she would not live in her hometown of Cairns because it is “too small” for someone of her “worldly” stature.
Having spent the past few years living in Europe playing for French giants Montpellier and English giants Manchester City, the 21-year-old has certainly come a long way since her early life as a student at Holy Cross School in Far North Queensland.
Fowler will never forget his roots, especially his footballing career that included living in tents and the family car, but these days his life is hectic.
“With the amount of travel I’ve done, growing up and even in my football career, I’m perhaps a much more cosmopolitan person,” he said.
‘In the long term, I probably wouldn’t live in Cairns (it’s too small for me now), but it’s nice to go back and reminisce, see the field we (my family) used to play on and then think about where I am now.
“I know what success would look like to me.”
Off the pitch, Fowler has attracted attention for her blossoming relationship with NRL shooter Nathan Cleary, but winning a medal at the Paris Olympics is her main current goal.
And Fowler, who made her Matildas debut aged just 15, will have to live up to expectations with everyone watching, given captain Sam Kerr is out injured.
Matildas superstar Mary Fowler has said she would not live in her hometown of Cairns because it is “too small” for someone of her “worldly” stature.
Fowler will never forget his carefree days in Far North Queensland (pictured), especially his footballing career that included living in tents and the family car, but these days his life is hectic.
Fowler spent time in Cairns over the festive season last year with his family and took time out to see the sights on the Rainforest Cableway (pictured)
Mary Fowler (pictured second right, with her family) has four siblings and spent many nights as a child sleeping in the family car or in tents.
In news that will excite Matildas fans, Fowler is set to make a big mark at the Games.
“The first one (Tokyo in 2021) was a bit different because I wasn’t expecting it and it was a childhood dream of mine to go to the Olympics so I cried because I had achieved it,” Fowler said.
“This time, I’m focusing more on tournaments, on football. I want to go there and I want to win, and I want to help the team as much as I can.
“I feel like I can help more compared to last time, when I was more of a substitute player.”
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has repeatedly told his players ahead of the Olympics what he wants to see in their opening game in Paris: the ball constantly at Fowler’s feet, whether on the wing, as an attacking midfielder or as a forward.
“That’s part of the growth I’ve had,” Fowler said. “Before, I was maybe a little bit shy of having that responsibility.
“Because if you don’t perform, then it’s like, ‘Well, you have to take responsibility for not doing what the team needed.'”
‘Now I see it a little differently, if someone puts pressure on you or gives you a little more responsibility in the team it is because they believe in you and think you are really capable of doing it.
“I take it as a kind of pat on the back. I want to keep that level and be consistent and do what I can to help the team win and not get discouraged.”
Fowler’s father, Kevin (right), met his wife Nido while traveling through her village in Papua New Guinea.
Fowler is now a world-renowned athlete following her exploits with the Matildas at the 2023 World Cup on home soil.
Fowler shared a photo on Instagram showing her relaxing on a beach in Far North Queensland, where she visited her family in Cairns for Christmas last year.
Being in the star-studded Manchester City squad since 2022, where Fowler has not started in the Women’s Super League, has also toughened the Matildas’ x-factor.
It has made her a better player and propelled her to reach new heights.
And don’t think for a second that Fowler will be happy with a fourth-place finish at the Olympics, where the Australians will face Germany, Zambia and the United States in Pool B from July 26.
“Honestly, getting knocked out in the group stage probably feels better than finishing fourth,” she said.
‘Because you were very close, but then you didn’t get past one game (playoff for third place).
“It’s definitely fresh in people’s minds and it’s really helped us want to do better this time around.”
