She grew up in Cairns kicking a ball on the beach, and now Mary Fowler is one of the most recognisable faces in Australian women’s football. At just 22, the forward has already played in two World Cups, signed for Manchester City, and become a mainstay of the Matildas attack. This article looks at her age, career stats, injury timeline, relationship with Nathan Cleary, and what makes her one of the most exciting young talents in the game.
Age: 22 (born 14 February 2003) ·
Height: 171 cm ·
Position: Forward ·
Current Club: Manchester City WFC ·
National Team: Australia (Matildas) ·
Debut: 26 July 2018 vs Brazil
Quick snapshot
- Born 14 February 2003 in Cairns, Queensland (Manchester City F.C. official profile)
- Plays for Manchester City Women and the Matildas (Matildas official website)
- Senior debut for Australia on 26 July 2018 vs Brazil (Wikipedia)
- Dating Nathan Cleary, Australian NRL player (BBC Sport)
- Exact salary figures (not publicly disclosed)
- Net worth estimates vary widely
- Future transfer speculations
- Detailed injury recovery timeline after ACL surgery
- 2003: Born in Cairns (Manchester City F.C.)
- 2018: Matildas debut (Wikipedia)
- 2022: Signs for Manchester City (Wikipedia)
- 2025: ACL injury in FA Cup semi-final (The Athletic)
- Rehabilitation from ACL injury – expected return late 2025/early 2026
- Potential new contract talks with Manchester City
- Next major tournament: 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup (if fit)
Mary Fowler’s key biographical details at a glance – a mix of official club records and reliable databases.
| Attribute | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Mary Boio Fowler | Manchester City F.C. |
| Date of Birth | 14 February 2003 | Manchester City F.C. |
| Age | 22 (as of 2025) | Manchester City F.C. |
| Height | 171 cm (5 ft 7 in) | ESPN player profile |
| Position | Forward | Manchester City F.C. |
| Current Club | Manchester City WFC | Manchester City F.C. |
| National Team | Australia (Matildas) | Manchester City F.C. |
| Jersey Number | 8 (club), 9 (national team) | Manchester City F.C. / Wikipedia |
| Debut (International) | 26 July 2018 vs Brazil | Manchester City F.C. |
Who is Mary Fowler?
Early life and background
Mary Boio Fowler was born on 14 February 2003 in Cairns, Queensland, Australia (Manchester City F.C. official profile). She grew up in a sporting family – her father is of Papua New Guinean descent and her mother is Australian – and started playing football at a young age. By her teens, she was already representing Australia at youth level.
Rise to professional football
- Fowler’s senior club career began in 2019 with Illawarra Stingrays in the NSW National Premier League (Manchester City F.C.).
- She made her W-League debut for Adelaide United and scored on debut (Manchester City F.C.).
- In January 2020, she signed a three-year contract with French club Montpellier HSC (Manchester City F.C.).
- Fowler made her Montpellier debut against Olympique Lyonnais about a month later (Manchester City F.C.).
- In June 2022, she joined Manchester City Women from Montpellier (Manchester City F.C.).
The pattern: Fowler’s trajectory has been rapid – from local leagues in Australia to Europe’s top division in just a few years, showing the strength of the Matildas’ development pathway.
How old is Mary Fowler?
Date of birth and age
Mary Fowler was born on 14 February 2003, making her 22 years old as of early 2025 (Manchester City F.C.). She is one of the younger players in the Matildas squad but already has significant international experience.
Physical attributes
Fowler stands at 171 cm (5 ft 7 in) according to ESPN’s player profile, with her position listed as forward. FotMob also describes her as a right winger, though she has played centrally for both club and country.
The implication: Fowler’s height and versatility make her a threat in multiple attacking positions, allowing her to adapt to different tactical systems.
Who is Mary Fowler’s partner?
Relationship with Nathan Cleary
Fowler is dating Nathan Cleary, an Australian NRL player for the Penrith Panthers (BBC Sport confirmed the relationship in 2024). Both are high-profile athletes in their respective sports, and their relationship has attracted significant media attention in Australia. The couple have been seen at each other’s games and have posted about each other on social media.
The pattern: High-profile athlete relationships attract media scrutiny, but both Fowler and Cleary have handled it with professionalism and maintained focus on their careers.
Has Mary Fowler had any injuries?
Recent injury updates
Fowler’s 2024/25 season was cut short by a serious knee injury. The Athletic (sports journalism outlet) reported on 16 April 2025 that Fowler suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee during an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United. At the time of the injury, she had played in all but one of City’s Women’s Super League matches, scoring six goals and providing seven assists (The Athletic).
Injury history
Earlier in her career, Fowler missed matches in 2023 due to a knee issue, but that was a minor setback compared to the current ACL injury. She returned to play in early 2024 and had a strong 2023/24 season, contributing six goals and nine assists overall (Manchester City F.C.).
Fowler’s ACL injury at age 22 is a major setback for a player who had just established herself as a regular starter. For the Matildas, her absence in upcoming friendlies and qualifiers means a gap in attacking depth that coach Tony Gustavsson will need to fill.
What this means: Fowler’s recovery timeline will dictate her availability for the 2027 World Cup, making her rehabilitation a priority for both club and country.
What are Mary Fowler’s career stats?
Club statistics
Fowler’s breakout 2023/24 season for Manchester City highlighted her dual threat: six goals and nine assists in all competitions (Manchester City F.C.). She also scored the club’s 800th professional goal against Bristol City in April 2024 (Manchester City F.C.). Before City, she played for Montpellier (2020–2022) and Adelaide United in the W-League.
International statistics
- Fowler made her senior Matildas debut on 26 July 2018 against Brazil (Wikipedia).
- She scored her first international goal for Australia in 2019 (Wikipedia).
- Fowler has represented Australia at two FIFA Women’s World Cups (2019, 2023) and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games (Manchester City F.C.).
- As of early 2025, she has made over 40 appearances for the Matildas (Matildas official website).
The implication: Fowler’s stats show a player who contributes both goals and assists at a high level. Her chance creation numbers (seven assists in the WSL before injury) put her among the league’s top playmakers.
Timeline
- – Born in Cairns, Queensland, Australia (Manchester City F.C.)
- – Senior debut for Matildas vs Brazil (Wikipedia)
- – Played in FIFA Women’s World Cup (Wikipedia)
- – Competed in Tokyo Olympics (Wikipedia)
- – Signed for Manchester City from Montpellier (Wikipedia)
- – Played in FIFA Women’s World Cup (quarterfinal); suffered minor knee injury (Wikipedia)
- – Returned from injury; won FA Women’s League Cup (Wikipedia)
- – Suffered ACL injury in FA Cup semi-final (The Athletic)
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Date of birth and place (Manchester City F.C.)
- Height and position (ESPN)
- Current club and national team (Matildas official website)
- Debut date and major tournaments (Wikipedia)
- ACL injury in April 2025 (The Athletic)
What’s unclear
- Exact salary figures – not publicly disclosed
- Net worth estimates – vary widely
- Future transfer speculations – no official statements
- Detailed recovery timeline after ACL surgery – team has not given a return date
- Relationship with Nathan Cleary – publicly confirmed but personal details not officially documented by team sources
“I’m really excited to be joining Manchester City – it’s a club with such a rich history and a great setup for women’s football. I can’t wait to get started.”
Mary Fowler, in a club interview upon signing (via Manchester City F.C. official site)
“Mary is a special talent. She has all the attributes to be one of the best forwards in the world – her movement, her finishing, her football intelligence are exceptional for someone her age.”
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson, quoted by FIFA.com
For Australian women’s football, the immediate concern is clear: Fowler’s ACL injury will keep her out of action for most of the 2025/26 season, at a time when the Matildas are building toward the 2027 World Cup. For Manchester City, the challenge is to replace a forward who had become a key contributor in the WSL title race. The pattern: young talents who suffer serious knee injuries face a long road back, but Fowler’s age and work ethic give her strong odds of returning to form.
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For a detailed look at how their relationship developed, check out a comprehensive Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler timeline that traces their journey from the start.
Frequently asked questions
What is Mary Fowler’s full name?
Her full name is Mary Boio Fowler (Manchester City F.C.).
How many goals has Mary Fowler scored for the Matildas?
As of early 2025, Fowler has scored approximately 8 goals in over 40 appearances for Australia” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener nofollow”>Wikipedia).
What is Mary Fowler’s Instagram handle?
Her official Instagram handle is @maryfowlerrr.
Does Mary Fowler have any siblings?
Yes, she has several siblings, including brothers who also play football. The details are not widely covered in major media sources.
What college did Mary Fowler attend?
Fowler did not attend college; she turned professional early in her career after playing for Illawarra Stingrays and Adelaide United.
What is Mary Fowler’s jersey number at Manchester City?
She wears number 8 for Manchester City (Manchester City F.C.).
How tall is Mary Fowler?
Fowler is 171 cm (5 ft 7 in) tall (ESPN).
Daniel Harper is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Report, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.