A decade on from his death, James Ackerman’s family celebrate the lives he’s touched

On the 10th anniversary of James Ackerman’s death, the incredible legacy the former Sunshine Coast Falcon has left across Australia can be revealed.

Late footy player James Ackerman has helped save more than 40 lives in the decade since the rugby league tragedy that rocked the game.

On the 10th anniversary of his death, the incredible legacy Ackerman has left across Australia through organ and tissue donation can be revealed.

The heartwarming story follows one of Queensland’s saddest sporting incidents and comes as his parents, Michael and Sonya Ackerman, urged the NRL to protect players while condemning deadly social media craze ‘Run it Straight’.

A father-of-two, Ackerman died on June 22, 2015, two days after being felled in a Queensland Cup game playing for the Sunshine Coast Falcons against the Norths Devils in Brisbane.

Ackerman was 25 when he suffered catastrophic injuries following an outlawed shoulder charge tackle from rival front row forward Francis Molo.

Ollie (13), their grandparents Sonya and Michael and Milly (12) Ackerman at Caloundra. Picture: Lachie Millard

Molo, contracted to the Brisbane Broncos at the time, received an eight-match suspension for the tackle and is now playing for Redcliffe-based NRL club the Dolphins.

Ackerman’s family, friends and former teammates will gather on the Sunshine Coast on Sunday to celebrate the life of ‘Ackers’.

But his impact reaches far wider following a brave decision from the fearless Ackerman that has ensured he lives on in others.

LIVING LEGACY

James and Saraa Spaens (formerly Ackerman) were high school sweethearts growing up in Dubbo, country NSW, before relocating to the Sunshine Coast.

They decided early in their relationship that they wanted to be organ donors after being inspired by the plight of a friend’s ill daughter who required a liver transplant.

“We were young, dumb teenagers,” Saraa said.

“We’d often not have much money after paying the bills, but James was the type that would chuck his last two dollars in the hat.

Saraa and James on their wedding day.

“James and I were together from 14 so I knew what his wishes were around organ donation. It was a conversation we had.”

Ackerman suffered a carotid artery dissection as a result of whiplash from the shoulder charge, an injury doctors compared to that from a car crash.

It became apparent immediately that the injury was serious and two days later the Ackermans made the heartbreaking decision to switch off his life support in a Brisbane hospital.

The death of James Ackerman rocked rugby league and prompted an outpouring of grief and support.

The pain is still raw for the Ackermans, but they take some solace knowing how many lives James has impacted since his death.

Ackerman was aiming to play for the Broncos, who he played for in the under-20s. Picture: Adam Head

“He helped over 40 people,” Sonya said.

“It’s absolutely amazing. There’s the organs, skin, heart valves, eye tissue, so many things. One heart valve was shared between six babies.

“It’s anonymous, but I sent a Christmas letter and card to 37 people one year through Donate Life and we received a letter back from an 89-year-old lady who had received some of James’ bone.

“Another man received a part of James’ heart. He had three daughters and was so thankful he now gets a life with his girls.

“He said he was never big on Christmas, but he went out and bought the biggest Christmas tree and every year they decorate it as a family, because of James.

“We’d put the tree up as a family and James would be the one with me decorating.

“That gives me goosebumps. It’s beautiful.”

A MOTHER’S PAIN

Sonya at James’s grave in Caloundra.

Despite the joy of James’ legacy, Sonya’s pain remains.

She tends to his grave at Caloundra every few days and cherishes James and Saraa’s children Ollie, 13, and Milly, 12, who remain a big part of their lives.

“It still hurts, it’s still raw,” Sonya said.

“I look at the kids and their growth and that’s what hurts more than anything. That makes you realise the time. It feels like yesterday, but when you look at the kids you realise it wasn’t.

“He used to say, ‘There’s always someone worse off, Mum,’ so I try to think of that.

“I had a lot of dark years. He never leaves my mind. You’re constantly thinking of him.

“His kids were his world so I try to put my energy into them. If I didn’t have them, I’m not sure where I’d be. They were my reason to get out of bed.”

FATHER’S FEARS

Milly and Ollie were toddlers when their dad tragically passed away.

Michael Ackerman grew up watching rugby league from the age of four.

He is a Penrith Panthers fan and cheers for NSW in State of Origin, passing a passion for the game on to his three sons Andrew, 37, Tom, 30, and James, who was a Broncos junior with aspirations of playing in the NRL.

But the game changed forever in his eyes that day at Bishop Park on Brisbane’s northside when Michael witnessed the moment that resulted in the death of his middle child.

The Ackermans relived the horror in a 2017 coronial inquest and Michael urged the NRL to remain vigilant in its fight for player welfare.

“The game was on the right path, they outlawed the shoulder charge in 2013 and this happened in 2015,” he said.

“The NRL is trying to help with concussion. They are learning what can happen later in life to the blokes who have had concussions.

“The fans can blow up all they want but the game has got to change for the players’ safety. The players are getting big money to play but you want to know you’re safe playing it.

“You have to play within the rules – when you stray from the rules, that’s when trouble happens.”

VIRAL CRAZE

Sonya was stunned when she learnt of the recent viral trend ‘Run it Straight’ – where combatants run at each other with the sole purpose of producing bone-jarring contact, usually with shoulder charges.

A 19-year-old man died in New Zealand last month participating in a backyard version of the ‘challenge’, and Sonya called for the rugby codes to condemn it.

“I was mortified when I heard about it,” she said.

“That was exactly what happened with James.

“We need to make sure we remember what can happen from that tackle.

“The fact it still happens mortifies me. I can’t believe the game can’t get it right.”

NEVER FORGET

In the 10 years since Ackerman’s death, Saraa has navigated life as a single mother before remarrying and welcoming two more children with her new partner.

She made a promise to keep Michael and Sonya involved heavily in the lives of Ollie and Milly, who were three and two at the time of their father’s death.

Ollie’s bedroom at his grandparents’ house is covered in memories of his father and ‘first hero’.

“Unfortunately there’s no rule book for dealing with this,” Saraa said.

Ackerman playing for the Sunshine Coast Falcons. This weekend is the 10th anniversary of his death.

“People say it gets better with time but in our experience it has got harder. As the kids get older, they realise more and have more of a perception.

“Mike and Son are like parents to me.

“This was always the type of family I wanted and never had.

“I knew how important family was to James.”

While Sunday’s memorial will be tinged with sadness, the overall vibe will be a celebration for ‘Ackers’ and the lives he touched.

Sonya knows James won’t return but wants to ensure he is never forgotten.

“I want Ollie and Milly to see that people remember their dad,” she said.

“We love listening to the stories that his old mates tell us and now the kids’ friends are starting to come along which is really special.

“People move on with their lives and you expect them to, but it’s special to know they still care.”

Originally published as A decade on from his death, James Ackerman’s family celebrate the lives he’s touched