“Community Coach” Sydney Mr. Leather 2023’s Journey

17th March 2026 Luka Musicki

It is my pleasure to interview Igor Rudar a.k.a. Coach Jura. He is a Croatian born, leather loving man. He was sashed as Sydney Mr. Leather 2023 during World Pride in Sydney, which honestly felt like a lifetime ago for him. He is a cigar loving, motorcycle riding, some might say, cliché of a Leatherman, but he has very proud of who he is. He has a soft side, a geeky side and a kinky side and he love how they interplay with one another.

The title of Coach was one given to him by people in my community as in their words, he embodied the characteristics of someone who is a Coach, both on and off the pitch. The nickname Jura was given to him when he was very young. It describes someone who was a bit of a Jester and who got himself into a lot of trouble. It’s certainly a fitting name that he still go by today especially when I visit my homeland.

He have played for and Coached football teams for many years. Professionally, he was a Personal Trainer and Massage Therapist and when he found some time, he plans on pursuing Life Coaching as an extension of his career.

Luka Musicki (L.M.): I am fairly new to the leather scene as I am not part of the community, but can you tell me how can someone new be part of the leather community?

Igor Rudar (I.R.): The Leather/Fetish community isn’t one specific group. There are many factions to this community and people often find themselves somewhere in the mix of it all. There is no, “you need to be this or that” . I encourage anyone coming into this community to forge their own path. Try what works for you and see what experiences you can make. Whether it be Leather, Rubber, Neoprene, Puppy/Pet, Socials, Dance Parties, BDSM Play Parties, etc. There is something for everyone and there are a lot of different groups who put on events. The community is very welcoming, and we have some amazing groups or associations such as the Sydney Leather Men, Women and Queers of Kink, House of Savvy, Eagle Bar Sydney, Sydney Pups & Handlers, Studio Kink Sydney, The HIDE, Sydney Rubber, etc. so as you can see, there is lots to choose from and you can try out what you enjoy.

L.M.: So, you were Sydney Mr. Leather 2023, what was the experience like for you to be the winner back then? What was involved with the leather competition, and what opportunities did it present for you later?

I.R.: To be honest, it was a bit of a whirlwind for me. Winning my title during World Pride is something I will never forget. There was just so much noise and hype that made the whole experience overwhelming. The last time the Sydney Mr. Leather title had been won was back in 2015, so almost eight years had passed since the sash had a new custodian. In 2023, the producer of the Sydney Leather Titles, Dick Savvy thought it was the right time to bring back the Title, and boy was he right! Our community has been thriving ever since.

The competition was comprised of a Private Interview section in front of a panel of Judges followed by the Live competition at the Paddington RSL where each contestant had 3 rounds to perform in front of a crowd of hundreds. Each round had a different theme/requirement and each contestant in my year brought something unique to the stage. After winning the title, my role was to plant seeds for years to come. To establish the groundwork so that others who came after me would have some solid foundations to work from. There were a lot of “expectations” put on me when I won. Some I put on myself; others were opinions from community members. Either way, I was faced with challenges and taken out of my comfort zone. I am grateful for those experiences because they pushed me and helped me grow.

But it’s not a title that makes a person. It’s what a person puts into the title that makes it something special. And it’s the community and the people around the titleholder that help shape that person. Without the trust and support of my community, my experience would have been a very different one.

As for opportunities, yes there were some. I got to represent our country at International Mister Leather (IML), which not many people get to do. When you come to another city, whether here, in Europe or in the US, the home clubs of those cities usually invite you to their events as a guest of honour (not that all of them do this). I have even judged two titles in my time, Sydney Leather Titles 2024 and Mr. Harbour City Bears 2024. But the truly memorable moments for me were the ones I got to share with the people around me. A title isn’t a one-person show. I believe that it is something which needs to be shared, and I was grateful to have my husband, Mick Watson by my side. Together with him, we created the Sydney Leather Festival (SLF) which showcases the spectrum of our community and ends with the competition to sash our new ambassadors. SLF was our way of giving back to the community which gave us so much.

L.M.: What does BLUF stand for and why are you BLUF 1744?

I.R.: BLUF stands for Breeches and Leather Uniform Fanclub. It was founded in 1997 and is the world’s biggest community for men who are seriously into leather and uniforms. It is for the more formal leather-loving people to connect in full gear, to wear it respectfully and to bond. 1744 is just my member number. The club currently has over 5500 active members worldwide.

L.M.: Maintaining leather can be difficult, right?

I.R.: It can be, but it is a skill like any other and can be learned. We have some amazing and dedicated people in our community, like my sash brother, Sydney Bootblack 2023, Jon Nguyen, who has run workshops nationally that teach people all things leather care. We also have active bootblacks at many of our events who can tend to your gear for you. They are people skilled in the craft who provide an excellent service, and I encourage everyone to seek out a bootblack when they can. Don’t forget to tip your bootblacks, though. It is a selfless service they are providing, and many of them donate those earnings to charities that are close to them.

L.M.: What are some common myths or misconceptions about the leather community that you would like to say? Is it all about kinks or more?

I.R.: The leather/fetish community isn’t all about kinks. Sure, they are a big part of who we are, but it goes beyond the Sado Masochistic perceptions that everyone thinks when you mention you like to wear some gear. Like most groups, our community is built on connections. Compared to other groups, we are smaller in size but when all the groups come together, we are stronger as one.

Look, we are a group of people who love to wear specific types of clothing and fabrics that give us power, protection, and personal expression, and help us be authentic to who we are. We aren’t all out there fisting one another like some people think. Although, I do know some people who would like that to be the case.

Like I mentioned earlier, there is something for everyone in this community. From going to a bar for a social gathering to breaking bread and catching up for a meal. And then there are those sweaty and sexy dance parties and even some sleazy BDSM Play Parties if you are into that.

L.M.: Have you travelled domestically and internationally to other Leather Competitions, and what were they like compared to Sydney?

I.R.: In my time at IML in Chicago in 2024, I learned so much about competitions. I have been to many domestic competitions and have seen/observed competitions from around the globe and I have concluded that every competition, every title, is unique in its own right.

Some are created for popularity or promotion, while others are for fundraising, activism, and community building, but all of them should be about representing the people of our community. It is up to the Producers of a title to determine what they are looking for in their representatives and what criteria they use to find those suitable candidates.

Here, with the Sydney Leather Titles, we ensure that anyone who competes knows what they are in for and well looked after. Each year, we are building on something great, and we want everyone to walk away from the experience in a positive light. After all, it’s not about the title, it’s about putting yourself out there and experiencing something which can change your life, whether you win or “lose”.

L.M.: Is there any advice you would give to someone who would be interested in competing for a title?

I.R.: I like to think of it as representing rather than competing. When you reframe it that way, you will see your fellow “competitors” as classmates rather than rivals. Ask yourself, “Why am I competing for a title?” and “What does it mean to me to have a sash?” It can mean a lot of different things to different people. If you have that figured out, you are halfway there. The next thing I tell people is to enjoy the process. It goes far too quickly and if you are there to only win, you have lost what the essence of the competition is about. It’s about showing up and standing up for your community.

Competitions help create a platform for the people involved. They let the community see you for who you are and are there to push you out of your comfort zone and grow from the experience. Some competitions are tougher and more rigorous than others, for sure, but there is something fulfilling about putting yourself out there. I urge anyone who hasn’t done it to give it a go!

When I went for my title, I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into. The title world was new to me, and it can be very daunting without people there to guide you. With the Sydney Leather Titles, we have an Orientation Day which breaks down the whole process on how WE do things. If you are unsure or curious, come to that event and we can show you what it’s all about. In our community, now we have the Sydney Mx., Ms., Mr., and Sydney Bootblack Titles to represent the many parts of our diverse community. And who knows, there may be more to come.

L.M.: I can also see from your social media posts that you were in the Mardi Gras March with the Boys on Bikes. When did you get a motorcycle? How did you get involved with them, and what is the experience like to be one of the special parts of the opening of the march?

I.R.: I have an amazing social media person, my husband. Personally, I have a love/hate relationship with it. I can see the good that can come from it, but it is most often used for misinformation and negativity, so I try to stay clear of it.

I got my motorcycle licence as soon as I was legally allowed to ride. I have always loved the open road, so any form of transportation appealed to me. Plus, I grew up playing racing games, so I have an appreciation for powered vehicles.

I met the organiser of Boys on Bikes, Luke Mahoney, through the leather/fetish scene. He invited a few mates and me to join the parade, and I have never looked back. That experience of being at the start of the parade following the Dykes on Bikes is such an exhilarating way to experience the parade. You literally rev up the crowd, and the sensation is incredible. If you have never done it, I highly recommend it, even if you go as a pillion on someone else’s bike.

L.M.: I can see that you are a Doctor Strange fan in Cosplay in one of your posts. If you could be any superhero…. or villain, who would you be? Or would you be Super “Leather” Man? And if so, what would their superpowers be?

I.R.: Haha. Super Leather Man, eh! That would be pretty hot! I mean, their costumes would be out of this world! And the accessories…. don’t even get me started. His powers would be quite fun too. Balls of Steel, Immune to Pain, Increased Stamina. Night Vision/Easily navigates darkrooms. The list goes on.

I have always been a huge Spiderman fan (Marvel) and Batman (DC), but I have taken a liking to Green Arrow (DC) over the years, hence my inspired IML look I had made by the talented Damien Ross from DR13:18. There are just so many cool characters to choose from.

L.M.: You are also a family man – being a proud uncle, right? How do you balance work, life and family?

I.R.: Yes. I live a busy life. Husband, Guncle, Brother and Entrepreneur. And why not add community as my other family. I am fortunate to have my work at home which gives me the time and opportunity to balance everything. Being part of the Sydney Leather Men committee serving as Vice President keeps me busy too. I guess finding balance is something we are constantly working on in life. Making some personal time and not feeling guilty about it is something I am getting better at. Learning to quiet the noise when life gets chaotic is another important skill to me. These are some of the skills I use that go a long way for my mental health.

L.M.: And you are a GWS fan as well. Has AFL been a part of your life for a long time or recent liking?

I.R.: I am. I was a member of the Giants when they first debuted in the AFL. But if I am being honest, I haven’t been to a Live match since Covid happened. Life has had other priorities and sadly going to matches was something I had to give up. When/if life quietens down, I will get back to being a better supporter. But yes, I have a love for all sports, so living in Australia and not following the AFL seems sacrilegious to me.

L.M.: What do you do in your spare time when you are not in the leather community or being a Coach?

I.R.: Does coaching myself count? I like to exercise, go for a run and play sports. As they say movement is medicine. But when the body is tired, I love to relax and listen to music, complete puzzles, play video games and spend time with loved ones and my Australian Labradoodle, Alfie.

L.M.: What are your career goals for the future?

I.R.: I love what I currently do so I am not ready to stop anytime soon. Maybe become a ProDom as an extension of my day job, which is to boss people around and hurt them. Clearly all part of the same skill set. All jokes aside, completing my Life Coaching course is a priority for me and I am excited to see where that will take me with my coaching and career.