Danielle Cattalini, a prominent local government manager and passionate football advocate, has put her name forward for a position on the WA Football Commission board. Her candidacy is driven by a lifelong connection to the sport and a desire to enhance its role in uniting communities across Western Australia.
A Football Heritage Fuels Board Ambition
For Cattalini, Australian rules football is deeply woven into her family's history. Her earliest memories are filled with the excitement of watching matches. Her father, John, a notable pharmacist and former Mayor of Fremantle, and her uncle Mim, both played for CBC Old Boys. Weekends were dedicated to watching them play, a ritual that cemented family bonds over Tim Tams and the roar of the crowd at Fremantle Oval.
"It brought together family. We’d watch the games, sit in cars and eat Tim Tams," Cattalini recalled, citing South Fremantle legends Stephen Michael and Noel Carter as her childhood favourites. She believes football's power extends far beyond the boundary line, calling it a vital conduit for community connection.
From Auskick Parent to Perth Football League Board Member
Cattalini's active involvement in football administration was reignited when her own children, son Jonas and daughter Piper, began their journeys through Auskick and junior ranks. She observed firsthand both the opportunities and the gaps in the system.
Her daughter Piper started at five but had to transition from an all-boys team to a limited availability of all-girls teams by age 12, eventually switching to hockey. This personal experience is a key motivation for Cattalini. She is determined to ensure the sport provides a truly inclusive environment for girls, culturally diverse participants, and players of all abilities.
Her son Jonas progressed through South Fremantle’s development squad and now plays for A-Grade amateur team North Fremantle, where he was a runner-up in the team’s best and fairest award this season. Cattalini herself has been a board member at the Perth Football League since 2021, giving her direct insight into the game's grassroots operations.
A Collaborative Leader with State-Wide Perspective
Professionally, Cattalini serves as the Manager of Stakeholder and Customer Relations at the City of South Perth. Her professional and community work has equipped her with a collaborative approach to leadership. She has also spent eight years based in Karratha, an experience that gave her a deep appreciation for the importance of supporting football in both regional and metropolitan communities.
Her community focus extends beyond football, with involvement in boards and committees such as the St Patrick’s Community Support Centre in Fremantle, which works to end homelessness.
"I’m a collaborator. I really love to hear and listen but also make decisions and make changes," Cattalini stated. She sees football as a cultural vehicle that strengthens connections and provides profound well-being benefits. A secret ballot will follow a postal vote, with the successful candidates announced at a WA Football forum on December 4.
Cattalini is one of four candidates vying for two positions. The other nominees include PricewaterhouseCoopers managing partner Martina Crowley, who is seeking a second term after being elected in 2024, psychologist Melanie Fisher, and private investigator Claire O’Donnell. The election was triggered as director Amber Banfield opted not to stand for a third term.
For Cattalini, the goal is clear: to harness the unique power of football to make a positive difference, one story at a time. "It can be a tiny little something that changes someone’s life," she said. "I want to be a part of that."
