Player

Educated at Christ College Brecon, Robert Ackerman played for Newport from 1979 to 1982 making his debut at Maesteg in the WRU cup. In 1980 he scored six tries in a match vs Gloucester (a record he still holds - with 3 others), and in 1985 he made the short trip west to join Cardiff. His stay at the Arms Park was only for a season – playing 13 games – before Whitehaven came calling and convinced him to become a professional rugby league player. During his seven year stay in league he also played for Leeds and Salford, retiring in 1993. As a Union player Ackerman played for Wales ‘B’ in 1980 and gained 22 senior caps, making his senior debut against New Zealand in Cardiff 1980 and in 1983 touring New Zealand with the British Lions, playing in two test matches.
A qualified physical education teacher, Ackerman taught at the American school of Doha Qatar, Christ’s College in Christchurch, and St. Patrick’s College, Silverstream in Wellington, where he coached the First XV and First XIII to local titles.