Matildas superstar Mary Fowler has spoken about her humble beginnings, including sleeping in tents and sometimes living in a car, and how those difficult times paved her path to international football stardom.
The Manchester City winger, who is just 21, is preparing for her second Olympic Games in Paris in July.
It was a process that began at Trinity Beach in Cairns when Fowler was starting school.
Along with his four brothers, he spent countless hours participating in “mini-Olympics,” which included running, club throwing, and soccer kicking.
‘It was really fun [at Trinity Beach]”Fowler recalled.
Matildas superstar Mary Fowler has spoken about her humble beginnings, including sleeping in tents and living in a car, which she believed paved the way to football stardom.
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.
Fowler’s father, Kevin (right), met his wife Nido while traveling through their village in Papua New Guinea.
‘After school, we would go to the beach and that’s where we spent most of our time.
“We came up with little challenges and turned it into a competitive game because there were so many of us.”
With multiple mouths to feed, money was tight for the Fowler family.
They sometimes slept in cars and tents, but Fowler is convinced those difficult days will help her overcome life’s adversity, even if she is now living her dream of being a professional soccer player.
‘It was difficult, but that is something that has been a strength of our family; “We take things as they are and make the most of them,” Fowler said. Wide World of Sports.
“That’s how I’ve lived my life ever since. It’s just making the most of what you have and trying to focus on the good. So I think a lot of lessons came from that.
‘But there were also sacrifices that I don’t take lightly. He has made me the person I am today.”
Athletically gifted, a raw Fowler made her debut for the Matildas at just 15 years old.
Off the field, Fowler is dating NRL superstar Nathan Cleary, with the pair confirming their relationship last year.
Fowler is now a globally recognized athlete after her heroics at the 2023 World Cup.
The electrifying winger plays for Manchester City in the English Women’s Super League
His father Kevin is Irish and married Nido, who grew up in a village in Papua New Guinea.
Kevin Fowler also believes that sleeping in caravan parks and tents kept his five children grounded, and the family car was named ‘Hotel Tarago’ because of how often all seven family members stayed inside the vehicle.
Athletically gifted, Fowler soon caught the attention of Queensland representative scouts, representing the state in an under-12 tournament when he was just 10 years old.
Next he moved with his family to Europe, where Fowler represented BVV Barendrecht in the Netherlands until he was 14.
The young Matildas followed, before Matildas coach Alen Stajcic presented the attacking ace with a senior cap.
Fowler was only 15 years old.
Stajcic, the current coach of the Perth Glory men’s team, knew instantly that Fowler had a special talent, highlighting his technique and explosiveness.
Fast forward to 2024 and Fowler is a hero to countless football fans around the world, and her long-distance relationship with NRL superstar Nathan Cleary also ensures plenty of attention off the pitch.
Fowler shared a photo of himself on Instagram relaxing on a beach in far north Queensland, where he visited his family in Cairns over Christmas last year.
His heroics at last year’s World Cup on home soil confirmed his status as a bona fide superstar, and with Matildas captain Sam Kerr out of Paris due to a knee injury, all eyes will be on Fowler .
Not that that worries her.
Teammate Steph Catley believes “the sky is the limit” for Fowler, who is ready to dazzle crowds as the Matildas chase an Olympic medal.
“I love being able to help the team by scoring a goal or giving an assist. As an attacker, that’s my role,” Fowler said.
“I think being able to do that on a big stage, in a big tournament, with friends and family watching, makes it even more special.
“When I imagine myself in the Olympics, that’s what I try to do.”