Former Brisbane Lions player and SANFL champion Leigh Ryswyk has become the first past or present male AFL player to come out as gay. The 41-year-old revealed his sexuality on the GayFL radio programme on Melbourne station Joy 94.9.
Ryswyk, who played one game for Brisbane in 2005, said his closest friends had known he was gay for five years. He acknowledged the news might come as a shock to some, but stressed that what mattered most was that those nearest to him were aware.
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon sent his best wishes, saying the league wanted an environment where people could be themselves. AFL Players' Association president Darcy Moore added that players were keen to work with the AFL to make the game more inclusive.
Ryswyk suffered a quad injury on his debut against Fremantle and was delisted at the end of that season. He went on to play 226 matches for North Adelaide in the SANFL and was later inducted into the Queensland Football Hall of Fame. Lions CEO Sam Graham welcomed his announcement, saying the club hoped it would have a positive impact across football and society.
Pride Cup chief executive Hayley Conway described the news as a huge moment for the LGBTQI community, following last year's coming out of former West Coast player Mitch Brown as the AFL's first openly bisexual player. North Adelaide said they supported Ryswyk and prided themselves on fostering an inclusive environment.
