Mary Fowler on first date nerves and how Nathan Cleary saved her from World Cup pressure
Mary Fowler has revealed she was more nervous about her first date with NRL star Nathan Cleary than playing in the World Cup.
The World Cup was a defining moment in Mary Fowler’s career not just professionally, but personally.
The tournament marked the beginning of her relationship with NRL superstar Nathan Cleary, with the two going on their first date - a takeaway coffee and a walk - on the morning Australia played Ireland.
Fast forward two years and the two athletes are at the top of their respective codes, adored by fans, chased by potential sponsors and have made The Daily Telegraph’s Power 100 list.
The Daily Telegraph’s Power 100
Monday: See who made the list from 100 to 76
Tuesday: The next 25 is revealed
Wednesday: The top 50 of the Power 100 is revealed
The Daily Telegraph’s 52-page Power 100 magazine out Wednesday
In Fowler’s recently published memoir Bloom, she opened up about her first date with Cleary, saying she was “way more nervous” about seeing him than playing in that game.
“I wasn’t sure if it was a smart decision, given I was about to start the biggest tournament of my career. In the end, I decided I should just go for it. Football wasn’t going to be the most important thing in my life, even at a major tournament. I needed balance. And I’d regret it if I passed up the opportunity and then had to wait ages for another one,” she wrote, adding she decided to wear her baggy Aussie track pants to the date.
Fowler reveals Cleary’s presence throughout the tournament provided the “perfect balance to football.”
“I hadn’t been expecting it, but I really appreciated how he took away a lot of the pressure I normally would’ve felt at such a big tournament. He gave me something other than the World Cup to think about, which meant I didn’t have much time to worry about things going wrong on the pitch or how many people were watching. I was too busy replaying moments with him over and over again in my head, giggling at the funny ones, trying to deny my feelings for him,” she writes.
In an exclusive interview with Stellar, Fowler also revealed how big a role Clearly has played in her life - off the field. “Something I really appreciate in our relationship is that – although we’re both professional athletes – most of our talk about sport is actually [about] the mental side. Nathan has been so helpful with that. He is almost like a role model for me now. I draw inspiration from what he does, because we are both such different athletes,” she said.
In Bloom, the 22-year-old also bravely shared the depths of her mental ill health revealing she almost took her own life one night as she struggled with loneliness, growing up too fast and the pressure to perform. Former Matilda’s striker Sarah Walsh, who is now CEO of the Women’s Asian Cup tournament in Australia, said Fowler’s honesty was admirable.
“Mary has always been a trailblazer. She takes her platform very seriously. She takes high levels of ownership and responsibility to use her platform for good. I feel awfully proud to have worn the jersey with someone like that,” she said.
A spokesperson from national mental health organisation Beyond Blue said they witness an obvious impact when high profile people share their mental ill health stories.
“We do see more people reach out [to us] off the back of it. It does help make people feel less alone,” said Dr Luke Martin. “Mental health conditions are common, they are not a sign of weakness and stories like Mary’s provide hope that you can get through really tough times and there is a life beyond.”
