Palmerston Crocs rugby union coach Pae Reea suffers kidney failure

The community has rallied together, after a coach who has given so much to both his club and the sport he loves was forced to relocate while suffering kidney failure.

Palmerston Crocs coach Pae Reea.

Palmerston Crocs coach Pae Reea is known for giving so much to his club and rugby union in the NT, but now his club is going through tragedy after he was rushed to hospital with kidney failure.

Reea has coached at the Crocs for many years and in 2024 alone led the under-15 boys to a premiership and the Palmerston under-16s to a third place finish in the Hottest 7s.

His passion for the sport doesn’t stop at his club; he is also a founding members of the All Nations Rugby NT program that competed at the Pacific Festival.

He also coached the NT under-16 boys at the Southern State Championships in Adelaide showing his commitment to developing young athletes.

For those reasons, and many more, he was nominated for coach of the year and volunteer of the year at the NT Sports Awards.

Coach Pae Reea of Palmerston Crocs RUC / All Nations Rugby NT of was nominated for Coach of the Year. Picture: Supplied.

But in January his life was turned upside down when he was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with kidney failure.

He and his family have since been forced to relocate to ensure he gets the best care possible. Palmerston Crocs junior coordinator Kate Eadie started a GoFundMe to support them.

“The Reea family have been a generous, loving part of our club community for many years, through Pae’s coaching, Tumama’s managing, and Tautua’s playing,” she said.

“We would often see the Reea family driving their big people-mover to pick up and drop kids home for training and games.

“When Tua moved away, the Reea family stayed and continued volunteering their time to help others.

“As you can imagine, relocating and today’s cost of living are a challenge. We’re all praying that Pae will transition to a home-care plan soon, but that’s a future hope.

“Please donate and help a family who always helps others. Let’s show support for Pae and Tumama and get the big man back doing what he loves: coaching rugby.”

At the time of writing, more than $2000 has been raised.

NT Rugby Union heaped support behind the Palmerston coach who had given so much to the community at large.

“Few people have given as much to NT Rugby and Palmerston Rugby as Pae - now, our community has the chance to give back,” they said in Facebook post.