Steve Renouf - Life Off The Field

Life Off The Field

At the age of 23, six years after signing with the Brisbane Broncos, Renouf was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Renouf remembers that he "had been losing weight quite rapidly, was always going to the toilet and though it was the start of pre-season, had no energy, couldn’t lift anything in the gym". He decided to go to the doctor and found out that he had the disease. According to Renouf "diabetes is not all doom and gloom, you can live with it." His advice to young people who have diabetes is "Never think that it can stop you from achieving your goals. Just look after it, and you can achieve anything. I looked after it...I knew I had to if I wanted to keep playing football."

Outside of rugby league, Renouf has an apprenticeship as an electrician and has also worked in the industry of sales and marketing. He is married and has five children - four sons and one daughter. He is currently working for the Get Active Queensland Schools Program which promotes physical activity amongst children.

Renouf is currently employed by Synectics edge, part of QR National.

Since retirement, Renouf has worked as a sideline commentator for Triple M's Blood, Sweat and Beers sports show.

In February 2006, a biography of Renouf was released. Entitled The Pearl: Steve Renouf's Story, the book details his career as a rugby league player, but it also covers his early life, including his family heritage and his childhood in the Queensland town of Murgon. It also discusses how, as an Aborigine, he had to overcome prejudices from people around him.