Mary Fowler grew up in Far North Queensland – and she’s just revealed why she would NOT live in her home town of Cairns now that she is a Matildas superstar

Matildas superstar Mary Fowler has said she doesn’t want to live in her hometown of Cairns because it is “too small” for someone of her “worldly” stature.

In recent years she has lived in Europe, playing for French side Montpellier and English giants Manchester City, so the 21-year-old has come a long way since her youth as a pupil at Holy Cross School in Far North Queensland.

Fowler will never forget her roots – and certainly not her football career, which saw her living in tents and the family car – but these days her life is hectic.

“The amount of traveling I’ve done, growing up and even during my football career, has probably made me a much more worldly person,” she 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, and see the field we had [family] I always kept playing and then thought about where I am now.

“I know what my success would look like.”

Off the field, Fowler has garnered a lot of attention for her blossoming relationship with NRL prospect Nathan Cleary, but her focus right now is on winning a medal at the Paris Olympics.

And Fowler, who made her debut for the Matildas aged just 15, will have to perform with the world watching as captain Sam Kerr is injured.

Fowler will never forget her carefree days in Far North Queensland (pictured) – especially her football trip where she lived in tents and the family car – but these days life is hectic

Fowler spent time in Cairns with her family over the holidays last year and took time to see the sights from the Rainforest Cableway (pictured)

Mary Fowler (pictured second right, with her family) has four siblings – and spent many nights in the family car or in tents as a child

This news will certainly appeal to Matildas fans: Fowler is planning to make a big impression during the Games.

‘The first [Tokyo in 2021] “It was a little different because I didn’t expect it and it was a childhood dream of mine to go to the Olympics, so I had tears in my eyes that I had accomplished that,” Fowler said.

“This time I’m more tournament-based, football-based. ‘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 contribute more now than last time, when I was on the bench more.’

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has made it clear to his players ahead of the Olympics what he wants to see in their opening match in Paris: the ball at Fowler’s feet at all times, whether he plays on the wing, as an attacking midfielder or as a striker.

“That’s part of the growth that I’ve had,” Fowler said. “I used to maybe shy away from that responsibility a little bit.

‘Because if you don’t perform, then you think: ‘Okay, then you have to take responsibility that you didn’t do what the team needed.’

‘Now I look at it a little differently. If someone puts pressure on you or gives you a bit more responsibility within the team, it’s because they believe in you and think you can really do it.

“So I look at it as a pat on the back. ‘I want to maintain that standard and be consistent and do what I can to help the team win and not shy away from that.’

Fowler’s father Kevin (right) met his wife Nido when he was traveling through her village in Papua New Guinea

Fowler is now a globally recognised athlete after her heroics for the Matildas at the 2023 World Cup on home soil

Fowler shared a photo on Instagram of herself relaxing on a beach in Far North Queensland, where she visited her family in Cairns for Christmas last year

Fowler’s joining star duo Manchester City in 2022, having never been a regular starter in the Women’s Super League, has also boosted the Matildas’ x-factor.

It has made her a better player and propelled her to new heights.

And don’t think Fowler will be satisfied with fourth place at the Olympics, where the Australians will face Germany, Zambia and the US in Group B from July 26.

“Honestly, it feels better to be knocked out in the group stage than to finish fourth,” she said.

‘Because you are so close, but then you just can’t make it from one match to the next [playoff for third].

“It’s still fresh in people’s minds and it’s motivated us to want to do better this time.”