Pepper Money continues to play ball with the Wests Tigers national rugby league (NRL).
As part of the non-bank lender's partnership with the West Tigers, Pepper recently hosted a financial literacy workshop – dubbed "Mastering Money On and Off the Field" – for Wests Tigers NRL squad at the club’s Centre of Excellence in Concord, New South Wales.
The workshop aimed to equip players with the tools to take control of their finances, think beyond the game and build lasting financial resilience.
"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,” said Pepper Money chief executive officer Mario Rehayem. “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 urged players to "plan beyond your next contract. It's just as important as your game plan. If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, 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.”
The workshop tackled key financial fundamentals, from budgeting, saving and investing to the importance of early planning, working with licensed advisors – such as brokers – and steering clear of lifestyle inflation, or spending more money as you earn more. Players were also introduced to practical strategies, including property investment, super contributions and smart saving habits.
“Athletes dedicate their lives to physical performance, but what about financial performance?" Rehayem said. "This session, and our broader partnership, is about supporting the players to succeed on and off the field."
Pepper first teamed up with the Wests Tigers in May, putting its logo on all jerseys, which would help boost visibility among fans, including brokers and would-be homeowners, during packed game days. The game-plan was to put both Pepper and the greater non-bank lending sector front and center, and make sure brokers and borrowers alike see Pepper as a serious player in the market.
The NRL financial literacy workshop marks the first in a series of events Pepper has lined up this year to boost financial awareness among both brokers and borrowers. A Pepper representative confirmed plans for a separate workshop later this month tailored to the women’s NRL, noting “they have different challenges.” The exact date is yet to be confirmed.
In addition, Pepper plans to mark 25 years in service this spring.
Australia’s non-bank lenders are holding their ground against traditional banks in a tightening and competitive credit market. An April 2025 report by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) found that non-banks now account for 10% to 16% of total lending, a share that's expected to keep rising. And as the non-bank market share grows – with more and more borrowers falling outside of traditional lending norms – so does the need for brokers to stay sharp, informed and ready to diversify the lending conversation.
For brokers, staying across all lending avenues is key as demand and competition in the market continue to climb. It's also a reminder that more Australians are looking beyond the big banks for flexible finance solutions. With lenders like Pepper taking on visible roles in community and sporting partnerships, brokers have a fresh opportunity to start conversations with clients about non-bank options. Understanding how lenders like Pepper support financial literacy, long-term planning and real-life goals can help brokers position themselves as trusted, informed advisors, not just product providers.
Main picture: Pepper Money Chief Executive Officer Mario Rehayem leads a workshop on financial literacy for the West Tigers NRL team.
