Player dies after on-field injury

A rugby league player seriously injured during a Queensland Cup match in Australia has died in hospital.

James Ackerman, 25, was playing for the Sunshine Coast Falcons when he suffered a head injury in a tackle five minutes into a game against Norths Devils.

The father-of-two was treated on the field at Bishop Park, before being taken to hospital in Brisbane, and the game on Saturday was then abandoned.

Queensland Rugby League (QRL) said on Monday that Ackerman had passed away.

According to Australian newspaper the Courier-Mail, Francis Molo, 20, who made the tackle on Ackerman, is “struggling to cope”.

Sunshine Coast Falcons chief executive officer Chris Flannery described Ackerman as a “champion guy” and “one of our leaders”.

Flannery added: “He lived for rugby league. He was a tough competitor and a fine player who in many ways was the heart and soul of our team.”

QRL managing director Robert Moore said it was a “very difficult and traumatic time”.

He added: “We send our deepest condolences to James’s family and friends, and the Sunshine Coast club.

“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.”

A statement from Ackerman’s family, including wife Saraa, children Olliver and Milly, brothers Andrew and Thomas and parents Michael and Sonya, thanked the medical staff at both clubs, paramedics, the hospital and the “overwhelming” support from his current and former team-mates.

It said: “James loved the game of rugby league, he always played the game with his heart on his sleeve. We will miss you.”

The Falcons are a feeder team for NRL side Melbourne Storm, as are Norths Devils for Brisbane Broncos, reports the BBC.