Community in shock at league player's death

Reginald Grace suffered a heart attack at training with the Dragon Dream Masters in Sydney on Tuesday.

Friends and family on both sides of the Tasman are expressing their grief for an Auckland man who died in Sydney while training for a Masters League tournament this week.

Reginald Grace, 54, had a heart attack at training with the Dragon Dream Masters in Sydney on Tuesday. Grace, the youngest of 10 children, had lived in Sydney for the past five years.

The Dragon Dream Masters were preparing for a Masters League tournament in Auckland in September. "He had moved to Australia to be with [one of his sisters] and a niece," his Auckland-based sister, Moyna, told the Herald on Sunday.

"He was very fond of his niece and just wanted to be close to her. He had basically brought her up."

Family and sport were his great passions. "Rugby [league] was his life. He had played all his life," Moyna said.

Grace played senior rugby league for the Bay Roskill Vikings before heading across the Tasman. He worked at Watercare Services in Auckland, but took up truck driving after his move to Sydney.

Speaking from Sydney, his brother John said Avondale-raised Reginald was very musical. "Music was just part of our culture. Reggie was really good at playing bass," he said.

Grace's death sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Masters League community in Sydney.

The Masters of Rugby League Australia Facebook page read: "We tragically lost a member of our Masters Family, Reginald Grace. Our deepest sympathy and condolences go to his family for their sudden and tragic loss.

"His teammates have lost a mate and friend and all of our Masters family feel for them all."

His body will be flown back to Auckland tomorrow night, escorted by his brother John.

Friends and the Masters Association helped the Grace family raise money for the repatriation.

Grace left a partner, Sandra. His funeral will be held on Wednesday at Henderson's Hoani Waititi Marae.