Leigh Ryswyk’s Playing with Pride

By PETER ARGENT

The Barossa’s first Pride Cup game has been built on the courage of evergreen footballer Leigh Ryswyk’s strength of character.

In March this year, the Barossa District star chose to make his sexual orientation public, becoming the first openly gay AFL player, past or present.

Originally from Victoria, Ryswyk moved to Queensland when he was in his youth at the age of six.

Landing on an AFL rookie list in 2004, he was added to the Brisbane Lions’ senior squad for the 2005 season.

He made in his AFL debut in a 39-point win for the Lions in Round 11 against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval in Perth.

Delisted from the Lions at the end of that injury plagued 2005 season, Ryswyk moved to South Australia where he played 226 matches for North Adelaide in the SANFL.

He then moved to the Barossa, Light ad Gawler (BLG) competition, and now in his 40s, Ryswyk continues to be one of the most durable players in SA country football.

In 2019, he was co-captain of the Central Zone title winning team at the SA Country Championships, where he shared the player of the tournament, and in 2022 he shared the BLG leading goal kicker award with his Bulldogs’ team mate at the time, Darren Shillabeer.

He explained that it was not right time for him to come out during his AFL career, adding “while AFL clubs and the AFL community would largely be supportive of queer players, crowd behaviour could be a factor in why many did not feel comfortable being openly gay.”

Notably, the Brisbane Lions and North Adelaide Football Clubs both released statements of support following Ryswyk’s announcement.

To celebrate this diversity in sport, the First Pride Cup match in BLG history will be played this Saturday, when Ryswyk’s club, the Barossa District Bulldogs play the Tanunda Magpies, at the Lyndoch Oval Barossa Park Precinct.

“The Pride Cup will be played across A-grade, B-grade and the Women’s game,” Ryswyk explained.

“Also, as a part of the day, we had an inclusive education session at the club, which the Pride Cup facilitated and was well received by the whole group.

“The reason for the day is to show that our football club is for everyone – players, support staff, administrator, fans, and the general public.

“This also shows the inclusive culture at the club.

“It is for others to see that this club has role models and footy is for everyone.

“There is still a need to drive the culture and provide education around the LGBTQIA+ community.

“It’s not about throwing it in people’s faces.

“This is a whole of football club commitment to the day.

“It would be great at some point if we had an “Inclusive Round” which includes diversity of all races, religion, and sexual preference.

“This about seeing community change, bringing more people to footy, and making a positive impact for the betterment of all.”

Ryswyk confirmed there will be “Best on Ground – Pride Medal” for each of the three games.

Bulldogs Football Club president Simon Carpenter has been fully supportive of the “Pride Cup” day.

“When Leigh approached me a couple of months ago with the suggestion of hosting a Pride game, I had no hesitation in supporting him,” Carpenter confirmed.

“Leigh is a massive part of our club and is well respected by everyone.

“He’s been on a metaphoric roller-coaster for many years with respect to his sexuality and, if there is anything we could do as a club to help him, of course we’re more than happy to do it.

“Understandably though, there were some questions raised from one or two people at the club about what it actually means and what we were being asked to do, so we needed to be respectful to them too and make sure that what we were asking people to do was an optional thing.

“Having said that, the vast majority of people are seeing it for what it is; simply demonstrating to ‘Rizz’ that we support him.

“There will be a fair bit of colour around Barossa Park Saturday – the senior men will be wearing armbands whilst the senior women will be wearing a Pride guernsey in their game following the A-Grade.”