Pepper Money champions financial literacy for professional athletes in partnership with Wests Tigers

As part of its major partnership with the Wests Tigers, leading non-bank lender Pepper Money is championing the financial literacy of professional athletes by equipping them with smart financial principles for life after football.

In a dedicated session titled Mastering Money On and Off the Field, Pepper Money CEO Mario Rehayem delivered a powerful financial literacy workshop to the Wests Tigers NRL squad at the club’s Centre of Excellence in Concord. The session focused on building long-term financial resilience, encouraging players to think beyond their next contract and take control of their financial wellbeing.

The workshop covered key financial principles including budgeting, saving, and investing - highlighting the importance of early planning, the value of licensed advisers, and avoiding lifestyle inflation. Players were encouraged to consider long-term strategies such as property investment, superannuation contributions, and setting up savings accounts with restricted access to avoid impulsive spending.

“Athletes dedicate their lives to physical performance, but what about financial performance? This session and our broader partnership is about supporting the players to succeed on and off the field,” said Mario Rehayem, Pepper Money CEO.

“Over the past decade, I’ve witnessed many professional athletes - particularly NRL players - earn substantial income only to squander it, ending their careers with little to show for their efforts.”

Rehayem emphasised that being a professional athlete is an incredible experience, but not a long-term career for most. “With an average of just 45 games played and fewer than 4% continuing in the sport post-retirement, NRL players must plan for life beyond the field. Unlike tradespeople or corporate professionals who build careers over decades, athletes often face a steep financial and lifestyle drop-off once their contract ends,” he said.

“Plan beyond your next contract - it’s just as important as your game plan,” he told the group. “If you’re living pay-check to pay-check, you’re on track to become a statistic. Only you can change that. Invest smart, seek trusted advice, act today, and build a future that lasts beyond the game.”

Key principles Rehayem shared:

• Start saving early, at least 10% of your income, and automate it to avoid temptation.
• Consider investing in property as a long-term asset that can provide financial stability.
• Avoid lifestyle inflation and don’t build spending habits around temporary high earnings.
• Choose your advisors carefully – choose the right people to lean on for advice. Work with an experienced financial adviser, accountant, and mortgage broker.
• Be informed, act today, and build a future that lasts beyond the game.

The session resonated deeply with players, prompting reflection and a shift in mindset around financial planning and life after football.

Wests Tigers’ Sunia 'Tito' Turuva shared: “I’ve always thought my career will be there, but hearing this today made me realise how important it is to plan ahead and have the right professional team around me.”

Wests Tigers’ Jared Haywood added: “It was confronting, but in the best way. I walked out thinking about my future, and how I can make smarter choices starting today.”

The initiative aligns with Pepper Money’s broader mission to help people succeed – a commitment to supporting Australians not just with helpful loan options, but with the knowledge and tools to make informed, confident financial choices.

Closing the session, Rehayem left players with a powerful message: “You train for game day, train for your financial future, too. Your future isn’t just yours - it’s your kids’, your family’s. Build it wisely.”

This initiative is one of several ways Pepper Money is building a culture of financial literacy across the communities and partnerships it supports. Building on the success of previous workshops, Pepper Money will be hosting another Mastering Money On and Off the Field session with members of the NRLW team in coming weeks.