EXCLUSIVE: Matildas stars Mary Fowler and Steph Cately share their World Cup dreams

Pulling on her green and gold jersey for the first time, Matildas star Mary Fowler tells Woman’s Day there will be only one thing on her mind when she walks onto the football pitch at the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup.

‘Once we step out on that field, it’s do or die,’ says Mary, 20. ‘Everyone is super-focused on that first game. We want to give it our all.’

With just months to go until the international tournament kicks off on July 20, there’s a sense of excitement building as tickets are snapped up, jerseys bought and cameras poised, all ready for the 32 teams to head to Australia and New Zealand.

Mary, who is tipped to be named in the 24-player squad, knows it’ll be an extra-special moment when she plays in front of her family, known collectively as ‘The Fowler Five’ – parents Nido and Kevin, and siblings Caoimhin and Ciara – who have travelled around the world to help support her sporting ambitions, ever since she first kicked a ball on the beaches at her home in Cairns.

‘It’s pretty amazing when you sit down and reflect on it,’ she smiles. ‘Coming from where I came from, to be here today is pretty special and it’s something you have to be really grateful for.’

‘It’s going to be a proud moment for me to be able to play in front of my family, friends and our fans and I hope we can get as many people out there as we can, because their support means a lot.’

FOOTBALL FEVER

The young Manchester City midfielder knows pressure will be intense as the team makes its way through the four-week tournament.

However, it’s something they are equipped to deal with, with the young players surrounded by Matildas veterans like Steph Catley, who have been there since the start of the commonly dubbed ‘golden generation.’

‘This is a real game-changing moment and something the team has been thinking about ever since it was announced we’d be hosting the Cup,’ says 29-year-old Steph.

‘There’s been a big build-up but [it’s] one we’re definitely ready for.’

Steph, who plays at London-based club Arsenal with fellow Caitlin ‘Tillie’ Foord, 28, knows home is not too far away, with many of her national teammates lining up on the opposite side of the pitch for their respective clubs.

‘There are a lot of us here in London so we often get together and it’s nice to see them sometimes at games. Sam [Kerr] not so much because she’s often scoring against us or doing something cheeky,’ Steph laughs.

‘I’ve known a majority of the girls since I was about 13 years old and we’ve been playing in the same teams ever since.’

Despite recent wins, including a stunning 2-0 victory over English side the Lionesses earlier this month, the Matildas’ journey to success hasn’t been smooth sailing.

With a shock exit in the 2022 Asian Cup quarterfinals in January, countless injuries and months of criticism both at home and abroad, the team has had to sacrifice a lot.

Captained by global superstar Sam Kerr, 29, the Matildas’ journey to the Cup is revisited in a new six-part docu-series, Matildas: The World At Our Feet, airing this week on Disney+, which follows the players over a two-year period as they set their sights on one goal – to change the face of women’s football in Australia.

‘I hope that when people watch our team, they’re inspired in some way,’ Steph smiles.

‘When I grew up, my sporting idols were men because I never saw female athletes anywhere… it’s incredible to be that for someone and something I’d never take for granted. This World Cup is the pinnacle of the trajectory we’ve been on and we’re finally at this moment, I suppose, where it’s all coming together. I hope that after this, it changes everything.’

The Matildas will play their first game against the Republic of Ireland on July 20 at Sydney’s Stadium Australia, with the kick-off at 8pm.

Matildas: The World At Our Feet airs Wednesday on Disney+. Stream it now with a mth-to-mth no lock-in contract. Subscribe here.