Maddy Keryk speaks on Pride Month and the inclusive environment within AFLW. Image: Matt Sampson.

UPROOTING your whole life and moving interstate can be a big ask for an AFLW athlete.

There’s the packing, finding somewhere to live, settling into a new club, building connections with your new teammates and for some, like Maddy Keryk, finding a new job.

Keryk, a physiotherapist, came to Port Adelaide as part of a trade with Geelong ahead of the 2023 AFLW season.

One of the more experienced players at the club after 54 games at Carlton, the Cats and now Port Adelaide, the 29-year-old says a couple of things made relocating easier for her.

Firstly, she knew coach Lauren Arnell, who she played with at Carlton.

Proudly part of the LGBTIQA+ community, she says the inclusive environment the AFLW has fostered also helped make the move easier.

“It just makes you feel better being accepted and welcomed,” the defender explained. “And (my sexuality is) not even something that I have to consider or think about.

“Having my partner come with me to club events or even just moving interstate to Adelaide - things like that, as well.

“It's not something that I have to consider or hide or put time and energy into. I guess that just makes me feel a lot more comfortable in who I am.

“I think my mental health would suffer a lot if I was worrying about trying to hide that part of myself so I’m very grateful that I play a part in such an open community.”

Maddy Keryk celebrates with teammates after her first goal in Port Adelaide colours. Image: Brooke Bowering.

Keryk has used Pride Month to reflect on her journey to Alberton and the role the AFLW competition has played in helping her and other members of the LGBTIQA+ thrive.

“I think the AFLW does a really good job of being a very inclusive and welcoming community, and Pride Month is really good opportunity to celebrate that,” she told portadelaidefc.com.au.

“Not only within AFLW players but across the broader community.

“Historically, W has always been a really welcoming place for all people, no matter how they identify or their sexual orientation.

“I guess you see a bit more diversity reflected in the crowd of people who come to our games as opposed to maybe men's games as well, because that atmosphere extends beyond the field to the people who come and support us as well.

“I think that's something that is really unique, and worth celebrating.”

Port Adelaide is hoping to have more wins to celebrate in 2024. After two wins and a draw in 2023 – its second season in the competition – the side has drafted and recruited well and worked hard on its fitness and connection in the off-season.

It has just completed a punishing pre-season camp at Victor Harbor as it builds towards a season opening Showdown at Alberton on August 31.

Keryk is confident the side will take big strides forward.

“I'm excited to see if by the time we get to practice games and then round one how far we can get ourselves in that time,” she said.

“We definitely want to keep climbing forward and not shy away from that expectation or pressure to perform. It's not an excuse that we're a new team in the comp or anything like that.

“You’ve just got to keep working and building. If you get things right and you're able to execute, then you can accelerate quickly up the ladder and make big jumps.”