LeagueNews.co | Robbie Hamilton
In a recent feature from Big League's 'Catching Up With' series, one of rugby league's all-time greats, Steve 'The Pearl' Renouf, reflects on his illustrious career.
Known for his remarkable ability to score tries, Renouf made significant contributions while playing for the Broncos, Maroons, and Australia.
He grew up in a small Queensland town as one of 12 siblings and went on to achieve remarkable success in rugby league, including winning multiple premierships and representing both state and country.
In the interview, Renouf shares insights into his life post-retirement.
He mentions, "Mate, all good on my end.
I've got five kids and they're all on their way.
The youngest is 22 now." His focus has shifted towards health advocacy, particularly for Indigenous communities.
He has been involved with the Deadly Choices program for about 14 years, a health initiative aimed at promoting better health outcomes within Indigenous populations.
Additionally, Renouf has been managing type-1 diabetes for 32 years, which has led him to work with both Australian Digital Health and Medtronic to improve health services.
He expresses a passion for this work, saying, "It's all in the health area and I spend a lot of time trying to improve the outcomes for Indigenous Australians, which is something I really enjoy doing."
Despite his many accomplishments, Renouf candidly admits to having one regret in his career, hinting at the emotional complexity that often accompanies sports legends.
His journey from the playing field to health advocacy embodies his commitment to making a positive impact beyond the rugby league arena.