Mary Fowler on the importance of “balance” in bringing out her best

by Ben Gilby (9/4/24)

Above: Mary Fowler talking ahead of Australia’s game with Mexico tomorrow. Image: Football Australia.

The Matildas attacker Mary Fowler has outlined how the importance of balancing off-field life from her footballing career has helped her to maintain her sharpness despite an overall lack of minutes in the WSL for Manchester City this season.

Fowler is fascinating to listen to – articulate and wise beyond her 21-years, she recognises her growth as a footballer, but also refuses to be consumed by her status as one of the games bright young talents.

The Cairns-born attacker knows that life is a journey and who she is as a person and a player is shaped by so much more than just kicking a ball around.

“I’m someone that never fully wants to be consumed by just football. I get very excited about life after football and what I want to do in that time. I see myself as more than just one thing and needing to be defined by what I do, and that balance for me is important. Having time away off the field helps me to bring my best when I am on the field. That’s why being able to see the full picture lets me feel less pressured…as I know I have the chance to do something else if I want to.”

Fowler’s 2023/24 has been the sum of two parts – relatively few minutes for Manchester City in the WSL until recent weeks, but still a series of powerful performances for the Matildas. Once more, the attacker puts her ability to still be a strong international player despite few regular minutes for her club as down to the belief she has in herself as a consequence of being able to see that fuller picture of her life.

**Above:** Mary Fowler gets a shot in for Australia against Iran last year. **Photo:** Cat Bryant for *Impetus*.

“What was important was in training for my club I always try to bring my best to that and I always felt like even if I wasn’t playing, I was deserving of it and I was still able to be at that level. I wasn’t on the bench because I was any less than the players that were starting. The belief in myself was very much there, so coming into international, I still thought very positive about myself and my abilities on the field.

“I do really like living there (Manchester)…it’s been a change for me not being able to play as much as I probably hope for, but that’s football, and to see how that has shaped me as a person has been nice. I have become a better player from joining that club, and now I have the chance to be starting for them and playing, and I do see how much more prepared and mature I am as a player compared to last season when I was getting to have some minutes.

“It’s been nice to be on the park again and help the team on the field. I get to play on that right side with one of my best mates, so it’s been fun and we’ve been getting good results. When you are playing more it is going to boost your mood…I was able to have the chance to do that recently. I’m someone who likes to be doing things with people I care about, so to play alongside one of my best friends has been really enjoyable for me.”

You get the sense that Fowler’s philosophy of going that extra mile to support those she cares about is a major factor in what has made her such a thrilling player to watch in an Australia shirt. This and the different assets the Queenslander has added to her game, both as a result of her time in the WSL, and with a successful World Cup behind her mean that there is a real belief in what she has to offer the Matildas now is at another level.

**Above:** Mary Fowler values the impact that happiness away from football has on her abilities on the field. **Photo:** Tilly McDonald for *Impetus*.

“I feel like I can bring more to the team this time. I think I’ve had the chance to show my inner value and qualities to the team over the last few years, more so than I did before the last Olympics. At the last Olympics I felt so lucky to be there and ‘oh, everything’s so amazing’ but I didn’t really see yourself as a player who was able to bring heaps to the team if I sat on the bench for all of it and got one minute, I’d still be super happy. Now I’m focussed on going to the Olympics and showing the qualities I have over the last few years and bring it all to that tournament.”

This international camp is one that has been specially tailored towards the Olympic Games. A whole week of training to work on game plans and different styles with that laser-like focus on Paris, rather than cramming that in alongside two games into the eight day period as well.

The camp has not just been 100% about training though. Fowler pointed out the importance of the specific location of their Florida base which has allowed the players to have some much-needed downtime as well on the nearby beach.

“It was really nice being near the beach because we could have training and then a bit of a mental break. Especially living in Manchester, it was nice to have some sunshine!” Fowler laughed.

**Above:** Mary Fowler is full of belief and ready to help the Matildas to a medal at the Olympics. **Photo:** Kris Goman for *Impetus.*

“A lot of us miss the sunshine, to be honest, so a lot of us were spending a lot of time on the beach but training has been good and it always helps to be in a nice place, everyone’s in a good mood.”

With that full week of training behind them, all eyes are now on tomorrow’s friendly with Mexico. The Central American side have already been in action this international window, a 1-0 defeat to Colombia on Saturday, but their recent record is very impressive.

Back in Feburary, Pedro López’s side made the semi-finals of the CONCACAF W Gold Cup – a run that included a 2-0 win over a full-strength United States side in Los Angeles. Fowler knows that Australia cannot be complacent.

“Mexico’s a good opponent, one you can’t underestimate, looking at their recent games. They have performed really well and had some good results against top teams, so it will be a good test for us to see where we are at with our preparations.”