Move for Sunshine Coast Stadium to honour deceased rugby league star

Queensland Senator and former rugby league star Glenn Lazarus is leading the push to have a permanent memorial for former Sunshine Coast Falcons forward James Ackerman constructed.

Senator Lazarus has written to Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson in support of permanently renaming the Sunshine Coast Stadium, a section of the grandstand, or a road or nearby landmark in honour of James Ackerman.

The 25-year-old Queensland Cup player died as a result of a shoulder charge by Brisbane Broncos forward Francis Molo, who was later gievn an eight-week suspension, during an Intrust Super Cup match in June last year.

Thousands turned out to show their respects to James Ackerman at his funeral service in July last year, at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

Writing on his Facebook page, Senator Lazarus commented “the Ackerman family symbolises the courage, spirit and values that we as a nation hold dear and must continue to aspire to.

"I hope we as a community can honour James by memorialising him through a stadium name change out of respect for James and importantly, out of respect for his wonderful family."

Senator Lazarus has started a petition for those supportive of creating a permanent memorial to the highly respected Ackerman.

Click here to view the petition.

As part of its hosting of a growing number of events, the Sunshine Coast Stadium hosted a Color Run event on Saturday 16th January.

Returning to the Sunshine Coast for the third time, the event attracted close to 20,000 participants.

Images: James Ackerman (top - courtesy of Support for Ackers #8/Facebook) and the Sunshine Coast Stadium (below).

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