A rugby league player has died in hospital after sustaining a serious head injury during a Queensland Cup match at the weekend.
James Ackerman, a forward playing for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the state’s premier rugby league competition, was injured early in the game against the Norths Devils on Saturday.
He was treated for more than half an hour at the scene before being transferred to Royal Brisbane and Women’s hospital. The match at Bishop Park in Nundah was abandoned.
The Queensland Rugby League announced the 25-year-old’s death on Monday.
Ackerman’s family released a short statement.
“Firstly we would like to thank all the medical staff from Norths Devils/Sunshine Coast Falcons and the ambulance staff who attended to James on game day at Bishop Park,” they said.
“We want to thank the tireless medical staff from Royal Brisbane and Women’s hospital, who kept us informed during the night. We are very grateful to the doctors and nurses from the hospital.
“All his former team-mates and his former clubs for coming and seeing James. Your support has been overwhelming during this difficult time.
“James loved the game of rugby league. He always played the game with his heart on his sleeve. We will miss you.”
Support poured in for Ackerman, a father of two, on social media, and a Facebook page set up by his brother attracted more than 7,000 likes.
The QRL’s managing director, Robert Moore, said: “We send our deepest condolences to James’s family and friends, and the Sunshine Coast club.
“This is obviously a very difficult and traumatic time for a considerable amount of people and we ask for the privacy of the family to be respected.
“Our immediate priority is to provide support for the family as well as the players, coaches and referees who were involved in this game.
“This process is already under way, with welfare staff employed by both the National Rugby League as well as NRL clubs Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm currently assisting their respective feeder teams.
“One of the strengths of rugby league is the game’s ability to rally behind its own and I have no doubt this will happen throughout this challenging period.”
Ackerman had previously played for the Redcliffe Dolphins and featured in the Queensland Cup 54 times.
The Courier Mail reported that the Devils player who tackled Ackerman, Francis Molo, was struggling to come to terms with his role in the incident. Molo, who is contracted to the Brisbane Broncos, was “not coping too well”, said his manager, Simon Mammino.
