Australian football prodigy Mary Fowler now the pride of Bankstown City Lions
Rising Matilda Mary Fowler will give Bankstown City Lions FC the star power it needs to reach the highest level in the women’s league.
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Rising Matilda Mary Fowler will give Bankstown City Lions FC the star power it needs to reach the highest level in the women’s league.
The 16-year-old is regarded as one of the hottest female footballing talents and because she has both Australian and Irish parentage, she can represent either country.
She returned home on Friday, after successfully trialling with Chelsea, West Ham and Manchester City in UK.
Mary has already pulled on the junior Matilda colours with remarkable success and the Lions are delighted at their signing, which was officially announced on Monday.
Last year, Mary made her Matildas debut in the Tournament of Nations against Brazil, becoming the fifth youngest player for Australia’s women football team, at 15 years and 162 days.
Mary will be joined at the Lions by her sisters Ciara, 17, and Louise, 15, in the Women’s NPL First Grade squad.
Her brother Seamus, 14, will play in the Lions’ NPL youth side, completing a grand family coup for the proud local club.
Another brother, Quivi, 19, who has played for Australia’s juniors, has signed at Sutherland Sharks from Cardiff City.
Lions’ women’s coach Troy Spink said he knew the instant he saw her play she was very special.
“We saw her playing for Illawara and I knew straight away she was a star player,” Spink told the Express.
“Mary has an amazing eye for the game, can strike with both feet, is not afraid and is very confident.
“She is also extremely focused and is a massive boost for us.”
Lions president President Zac Gulevsk said the Fowler family’s commitment to Bankstown is a huge bonus for the club.
“As a volunteer-run club that operates on limited resources, we wouldn’t have the capacity to offer opportunities to world class players such as Mary and Ciara Fowler if it wasn’t for the support of our major sponsors like Bankstown RSL Club,” Mr Gulevsk said.
“I have no doubt that Mary and Ciara will shine as they spearhead of our Women’s NPL First Grade team, and will use this opportunity to launch themselves back into contention for the Matildas and Young Matildas.
“Having Mary, Ciara, Louise and Seamus commit to Bankstown City Lions is a huge vote of confidence in our Club, our coaches, our upgraded facilities at Jensen Park, and for our local community. Welcome to Bankstown.”
Mayor Asfour welcomed the young star, saying: “It’s great to see a world-class sports star has chosen to represent our great city and play out of our new state-of-the-art multipurpose and all-weather sporting complex at Jensen Park.
“I’m sure Mary will inspire a lot of young local girls to become future Matildas and enjoy the facilities at our Centre for Football Excellence.”
Mary’s first game in the 2019 competition ended in a 0-5 loss to Sydney University at Jensen Park on Sunday.
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