Leigh Ryswyk, a former player for the Brisbane Lions and a significant figure in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL), has spoken out about the overwhelming wave of support he’s received since becoming the first Australian Football League (AFL) player to publicly come out as gay. The 41-year-old shared his journey during an interview on Melbourne’s Joy 94.9 radio station, though he revealed that his close friends had been aware of his sexuality for several years prior.
Speaking on ABC 891 Adelaide, Ryswyk described the reaction as “amazing” and “overwhelming,” highlighting the outpouring of “support, love, [and] messages from people from everywhere.” He candidly admitted that the response had “blown me away.”
Ryswyk’s AFL career, while brief, saw him play one match for the Brisbane Lions in 2005. He then went on to have a distinguished career in the SANFL, amassing over 200 games for the North Adelaide Roosters, where he is also a life member.
When questioned about whether he could have come out during his active playing days in the AFL, Ryswyk reflected that he simply wasn’t ready to make that step at the time. “Different things happen within your life and you just move forward,” he stated. “When I was ready, I was ready and that’s now.”
A Hope for Greater Inclusivity
Ryswyk expressed a profound hope that his story will empower other athletes to feel comfortable in embracing their authentic selves. He envisions a future society where a person’s sexuality is no longer a noteworthy announcement, but simply a part of who they are. This sentiment echoes that of Mitch Brown, a former West Coast Eagles defender who became the first openly bisexual man in AFL history last year. Brown similarly expressed his desire to foster “safety, comfort, and space” for others to come forward.
Addressing the Lingering Fears
While Ryswyk acknowledged that AFL clubs and the broader AFL community are generally supportive of LGBTQ+ players, he identified crowd behaviour and external pressures as significant factors contributing to why many may hesitate to be open about their sexuality.
“The club itself will just wrap their arms around the player, the AFL community as a whole will do that — the outside world, fans and media at times … then maybe that fear [from] them,” Ryswyk explained. He drew a parallel to the intense scrutiny footballers face, noting, “It doesn’t matter what happens on the footy field, if someone misses a football kick and they can get trolled, right?”
He stressed the need for a cultural shift, stating, “People are very passionate about their footy teams and want to see them succeed, but the environment needs to change and education continue to happen, and that’s why we need to start at a younger level because again it’s learnt through that level. Once everyone’s on board, we want to feel safe anywhere we go.”
Personal Experience of Safety
Despite these broader concerns, Ryswyk emphasized that he never personally felt unsafe at any of the clubs he played for, at either the AFL or SANFL level. “Football clubs literally are your family and you feel like you can be you,” he asserted. “I’ve never, ever felt at any football club I’ve ever been to that I couldn’t be me. In the end, it’s up to me to come out and be me if I want to share that, but I’ve never been held back or worried that if I was to do it that there would be any ridicule.”
Ryswyk continues to actively participate in local football, currently playing for the Barossa Districts Football Club and was scheduled to play that evening. He shared his excitement for the upcoming game, noting that most of his teammates were already aware of his sexuality. “I’m excited. I posted in the footy chat last night and put the link to the interview and said ‘if you’ve got a spare hour, have a listen’.”
Club and League Support
The Brisbane Lions, Ryswyk’s former AFL club, issued a statement through their chief executive, Sam Graham. Graham expressed his hope that Ryswyk’s story would contribute to a more inclusive sporting environment. “It is great to see Leigh share his story and journey publicly,” Graham stated. “We want our game to be an inclusive environment for everyone, including players, staff, members and fans. As a club, we hope this has a positive impact across football and society more broadly.”
The North Adelaide Football Club, where Ryswyk is a life member, also released a strong statement of support. “The North Adelaide Football Club supports former player Leigh Ryswyk, who has come out publicly as the first openly gay past or present AFL/SANFL player,” the club announced. They highlighted his significant contributions, including playing 226 games, being a life member, and being a key part of their 2018 Reserves Premiership win despite a significant injury. The club reiterated its commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where all members feel “safe, respected, and free to be themselves.”
