Broncos premiership winner Reece Walsh has melted hearts after sharing a series of beautiful images to celebrate his little girl’s kindergarten graduation with ex-partner, Freda Puru. Panthers rival and Kangaroos teammate Nathan Cleary has also been enjoying some quality time with his Matildas star girlfriend Mary Fowler in Europe before pre-season preparations ramp up in the new year.
It’s been a busy year for the NRL superstars, who were both part of Australia’s Ashes series clean sweep in England. Walsh also helped Brisbane snap its 19-year premiership drought and won the Clive Churchill Medal as the standout player in their grand final triumph over Melbourne.
Reece Walsh celebrated his daughter Leila’s kindy graduation with his ex-partner and Nathan Cleary spent some quality time with Mary Fowler in Europe. Pic: Reece Walsh/Nathan Cleary
But Walsh’s daughter Leila has been central to his success in 2025, describing her as his “strength through it all” after a career-best season. And it was fitting that the 23-year-old was able to celebrate his four-year-old daughter’s own special achievement as Leila graduated from kindy on Friday.
The Brisbane No.1 was joined by extended family members and his ex-partner to share in their little girl’s big day. The couple are no longer together but showed their commitment to co-parenting by marking Leila’s milestone moment in a beautiful display of solidarity.
Walsh shared photos of the family posing together in front of a “Class of 2025” sign, with Leila adorned in accessories typical of graduation ceremonies in Pacific Island cultures. Leila was pictured wearing a crown of flowers, a leis and ribbon necklaces and was presented with a teddy bear and a bouquet flowers to commemorate the occasion.
Mum and dad looked proud as punch as they posed for photos alongside Leila and other members of the extended family. Walsh and his ex-partner also had photos of their little girl that they held aloft in a number of the shots. The Brisbane star’s captioned his Instagram post with the words, “Proud of my girl”, and it was flooded with messages of support from fans.
“This is what co-parenting should look like. Putting the child first. Sometimes relationships don’t work out but that doesn’t mean kids should suffer,” one person commented. Another wrote: “You are both the best parents ever.” While a third added: “This girl will go so far when she has both parents supporting her together!”
Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler spend time together in Europe
While Walsh headed home after the Ashes series, Kangaroos teammate Cleary stayed in England to spend some quality time with his Matildas star girlfriend. Fowler is still recovering from an ACL injury she suffered in April but is expected to be ready for Australia’s home Asian Cup campaign in March. And she managed to enjoy some rare quality time with Cleary in Europe.
The happy couple went hiking and enjoyed the outdoors together at a number of picturesque locations in England. And they even squeezed in a trip to Paris together before returning to Manchester, where the Matildas star is based.
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Cleary also fit in some impromptu charity work for a food bank in England’s north before he flew back to Australia. The Penrith ace was praised by the Atherton and Leigh Foodbank after turning up unannounced to pack bags and do his bit for the needy before Christmas.
Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler enjoyed some down time in Europe which also included a trip to Paris for the Aussie sporting couple. Pic: Nathan Cleary/Mary Fowler
“Nathan Cleary, star of Penrith Panthers and Australian Kangaroos, called to see us and insisted on doing a shift, packing bags and getting involved with all aspects of our work,” the organisation posted on social media. “Thanks for your help today Nathan, you made a real difference and helped people facing hardship to stay well fed.”
The food bank’s post sparked a flood of messages from fans praising Cleary’s generosity and selflessness. “Shows just how special this young man is and how he’s been raised, to stay humble, kind and thoughtful,” one person commented. Another added: “Well done Nathan – great leader, great inspiration to the young kids these days.” While a third described Cleary as a “champion on and off the field”.