Kingsley Football Club faces mass exodus in women’s teams after coach’s unexpected exit

A prominent football club in Perth’s northern suburbs has been rocked by controversy, with a mass exodus of female players expected after the shock departure of its women’s league coach. Allegations have been made about the Kingsley Football Club treating its women’s team differently to their male counterparts with its resourcing. Tensions reached a boiling point last week when Aaron Donatti, a former player and sponsor of the club, who was appointed league coach of the women’s team just two months ago, unexpectedly parted ways with the club after allegedly voicing concerns over the resourcing of the women’s teams. For most of the pre-season, the two women’s teams, made up of about 50 players, have been training together at Barridale Park, away from the club’s main oval, where a public toilet was the only option for a change room. The West Australian understands that during a recent meeting between the club and players, which reportedly escalated into a heated discussion, both Donatti and the players raised concerns about being asked to train at the separate oval and the lack of support resources the women’s teams were receiving. Just days later, Donatti received an email from the club leading to his departure. More than 30 players are now expected to submit transfer requests, leaving Kingsley’s ability to field even one, let alone two women’s teams in 2025, in serious doubt. In the meeting, Donatti said players had questioned why they were being treated differently but were given no real explanation. “The players started asking, ‘Why are we being treated differently? Why can’t we train at Kingsley like everyone else?’” Donatti said. “I questioned the reasoning behind this and was told, ‘It is what it is’, with no real explanation. The players just wanted to feel like they were part of the club and being adequately supported. “I don’t want to come across as a disgruntled ex-coach trying to slam the club. I’m only speaking up because I care about the players and believe they deserve to be given every opportunity to succeed. “I’m absolutely devastated for the playing group. They’re such a talented bunch of women who genuinely loved playing football together, and it’s heartbreaking to see them like this.” In a statement given to The West, the Kingsley Football Club refused to answer specific questions but said they remain committed to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for all players. “Our new women’s coaching structure was implemented immediately, and training has continued at Kingsley Park, our home where all our teams train.” Several players from the Kingsley women’s team have now spoken out anonymously to The West about their frustrations with the club. Despite women’s training resuming at Kingsley with a small squad, one senior player, who will go by the name of Olivia for the purposes of this article, described the situation as “devastating” and “avoidable”, adding that Donatti had the full support of the playing group. She highlighted that the playing jumpers for the women had also contributed to the mass exodus of players. “We have been asking for jerseys for over three years and have constantly been knocked back due to ‘funding’,” Olivia said. “While I understand the men’s jerseys have all come from sponsors, they already had jerseys that would fit their size, but women were left to deal with ill-fitting playing jumpers.” Olivia said the situation has felt demoralising, and has left her uncertain about whether she would continue playing football. “The effort of constantly fighting for our right to play has taken so much love of the game from me. I just have to decide if I want to play at all.” Another player from the team, who is now also leaving the club, said the coach’s exit was the final straw for many. “I think nearly all the girls would have stayed at the club this year, even considering all the issues, but then (the coach parted ways),” she said. With the women’s season set to kick off in just over a month, the club is now scrambling to retain and recruit players. A mediation meeting was expected to be held on Tuesday, March 4 between the players, the club and officials from the Perth Football League. However, it is believed that only returning players have been asked to attend. “As a club, we have enlisted the Perth Football League to help address some internal issues and hold great comfort that this support will provide the platform for success in our women’s program in 2025,” the Kingsley Football Club said in the statement. Despite the planned meeting, Olivia believes the damage has been done and that most players have already committed to leaving. “I hope for the players remaining that they do (still have a women’s team), the ladies in the team have never been an issue, the Kingsley ladies are fantastic,” she said. “But I don’t like their chances of getting a second team nor their ability to remain in A-grade, with 37 of the players, including core members of the A-grade side, leaving.”