Matthew Broomham saved by quick-thinking first aid officer in Rockhampton

Confronted with a player who had just broken his neck playing local footy, a hero trainer outlines the steps he took which saved the young man’s life.

Wallaby Rugby League Club first aid officer Gary Churchward (inset) is being credited with helping save the life of player Matthew Broomham after he suffered a broken neck in a reserve grade game in Rockhampton on July 20, 2025.

Matthew Broomham has cheated death by a “matter of millimetres” after breaking his neck in a rugby league game in Central Queensland.

The 25-year-old fullback was playing for Wallabys in the reserve grade game against Norths at Rockhampton’s Gymmy Grounds on Sunday afternoon when his life was turned upside down.

He was flattened in a tackle about five minutes into the second half that left him lying motionless on his back.

Wallabys first aid officer Gary Churchward moved quickly to secure Matthew’s head and neck, something which could well have saved the young man’s life.

Dad Jason Broomham was at the game with his two younger sons, aged seven and 11.

He did not witness the incident but rushed onto the ground when he realised it was Matthew.

“I was walking around to get my two boys and I looked on the field and I saw Gary laying on the field holding someone’s head,” he said.

Matthew Broomham is stabilised by ambulance officers before being transported to Rockhampton Hospital.

“My first reaction was to look for Matthew because he’s quite tall. I couldn’t see him so I went on the field and saw him - he wasn’t in good shape at all.

“The one thing he said as soon as I got there was ‘I just heard this loud crack in my neck and I didn’t want to move’.”

Jason tried desperately to comfort his son as a harrowing memory overwhelmed him.

As a former footy coach, he witnessed a similar incident involving an opposition player whose injury rendered him a paraplegic.

Jason was incredibly relieved to discover that Matthew had mobility in his limbs.

“As soon as I saw him moving his hands and his feet, I knew it was a blessing right there,” he said.

Matthew Broomham has been fitted with a halo vest after suffering a broken neck.

Matthew was stabilised and transported by ambulance to Rockhampton Hospital, where an MRI revealed he had a broken C2 vertebrae.

Medical staff told an anxious Jason and wife Jodie it was a “hangman’s fracture”.

“The neurosurgeons that we spoke to, in Rockhampton and here (in Brisbane), said he was lucky to be alive,” he said.

“If he had any more artery damage, he would have died on the field.

“The way that he was hit in the tackle resembled a car crash injury. He was hit down, as well as across.

“We’re very, very lucky to have him here

“Every time we speak to a neurosurgeon, they say it was a matter of millimetres.

Wallaby Rugby League Club Level 1 first aid officer Gary Churchward.

“Thankfully, Gary being so vigilant in keeping Matthew on the ground and not letting his head move, even a millimetre, has saved him from being paralysed… or worse.”

Matthew was flown to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital on Sunday morning, where he underwent a raft of tests to determine the best treatment.

Jason spoke to this publication at lunchtime Tuesday, about an hour after Matthew and the family received the best possible news.

The medical team opted not to proceed with surgery but instead fit a halo vest, a medical device used to immobilise and stabilise the head and neck, which Matthew will wear for about three months.

“They decided because of his age, they didn’t want to do the surgery because that would have meant ongoing operations at different stages for the rest of his life,” Jason said.

“It’s so good we’ve heard this news.

A relieved Jason Broomham with son Matthew in the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital with his dad Jason.

“It’s going to be a long road but they fully believe that with time and effort, he should get back to full strength.

“Possibly by the end of the week, he’ll be out of hospital down here.

“They’ll do further tests to make sure the alignment is right and then they’ll get him up and walking around to check that he’s comfortable and they’re happy with how it’s fitted.”

Jason said Matthew, a duty manager at the Yaralla Sports Club, was laid-back, well-mannered and highly regarded at his workplace.

He is the second oldest of the Broomham’s seven children, and is idolised by his two younger brothers.

“We’re a very close family and this has rocked all of us,” Jason said.

Matthew Broomham pictured with his younger brothers Jace and Clayne in 2019. Matthew was then in the Navy and served on HMAS Parramatta.

“His young brothers really look up to him. That was one of the hardest things, those two seeing their hero laid up in a hospital bed in traction.”

Wallabys president Brendon Hunt has set up a gofundme page, which has raised more than $8000 for Matthew, who he described as a tough competitor, a loyal teammate and a valued member of the club and community.

“He’s a really good bloke, a very friendly fella who’s always keen to have a chat and a beer after the game,” he said.

“He’s a very positive guy and it’s great to have those sort of people around.”

Matthew and his family moved to Gladstone from Bribie Island about three years ago.

Matthew Broomham was having a big season with the Wallabys.

He was always a keen footballer and played on and off for 15 years at clubs including the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

He joined Wallabys last season but the nature of his work meant he didn’t get the chance to play a lot of games.

Jason said he had made about eight appearances this season and was “really thriving”, claiming the Player of the Match award in his last appearance before the ill-fated Norths clash.

“I don’t (want to) look back at that,” Jason said.

“I’m just grateful that Matthew should be able to make a full recovery. That’s the most important thing.”

Reluctant hero details life-saving actions

Gladstone’s Gary Churchward helped save Matthew Broomham’s life just six months after gaining his Level 1 first aid certification.

He spent more than 30 minutes gently cradling the head of Matthew Broomham after he broke his neck in a rugby league game in Rockhampton on Sunday.

The 25-year-old fullback was playing for Wallabys in the reserve grade clash against Norths when he suffered the injury in a tackle about five minutes into the second half.

The Broomham family has credited Gary with saving Matthew “from being paralysed… or worse” after doctors said he was lucky to be alive.

Gary was reluctant to take any credit, saying it was what he had trained for.

He said the guidance and reassurance of experienced Level 2 FAO Amanda Twigge was just as important in achieving the best possible outcome.

Gary retired from playing footy with Wallabys last season and decided to become one of their first aid officers to stay involved with the club and give something back to the game.

Wallaby Rugby League Club Level 2 first aid officer Amanda Twigge with Level 1 Gary Churchward.

A broken leg was the most serious injury he’d dealt with before Sunday.

Gary did not see the incident involving Matthew but was alerted to it by Amanda.

“I ran out to Matt and he told me briefly what happened. He said he had a sore neck and he’d heard a crack,” he said.

“As soon as you hear that, you don’t take any risks, and I immediately immobilised his neck.

“You lie down head to head, put your arms up beside his head and across his ears and you almost grip his shoulders and squeeze your arms together very gently on the side of his head to keep it still.”

Gary was able to establish Matthew had no numbness and had movement in his toes and fingers.

“He was actually pretty good. He was pretty calm and quite chatty,” he said.

“I was trying to be positive, saying things like ‘what we’re doing is precautionary and we’re just waiting for the right people to come and take over’.

“After that we were talking about anything and everything bar what was going on.

“We talked about his work, his family including his two younger brothers who were there, even his tattoos.”

Gary said when the ambulance was a welcome sight.

“The ambulance officers did all the tests and then asked me to gently move while they took over and put a neck brace on him,” he said.

“They got him stable and we then helped to get him on the spinal board and up onto the bed.

“They strapped him on and took him away.”

Gary said everyone involved worked together incredibly well and he did not do anything special

“I definitely can’t take credit for it, I just happened to be the first one there,” the humble hero said.

“I was just doing what I signed up to do and what I was trained to do.

“If I wasn’t there, Amanda would have done exactly the same thing.”

Gary urged more people to become FAOs, and said sports clubs were always on the lookout for them.

“It’s very rewarding. You’re part of the team, you’re always around the group and it keeps you involved,” he said.

Originally published as Matthew Broomham saved by quick-thinking first aid officer in Rockhampton