Creagh to lead RLPA/NRL Financial Education Program 

Former Australian Test representative and St George Illawarra Dragons captain Ben Creagh has joined Shadforth Financial Group as a Financial Wellbeing Advisor this week, with his new role focused on overseeing the RLPA/NRL Financial Education Program.

Creagh, who completed a Bachelor of Commerce in 2013, will help lead the new program that focuses on ensuring NRL players have the necessary tools to make the right financial choices and transition into the next stage of their lives smoothly.

The former Dragons forward retired from the NRL at the end of 2016 following on from an illustrious career that included 273 first grade games, 11 games for New South Wales and two Tests for Australia.

Most recently, Creagh has been working as a Wellbeing Officer for St George Illawarra and has spent numerous hours helping drive community programs as an NRL Ambassador.

The RLPA and NRL recently joined forces with Shadforth Financial Group to develop the comprehensive program, which will be the first consistent program developed for all 16 NRL Clubs, and includes a range of financial services such as workshops, one-on-one sessions, financial health checks and practical tools.

Creagh said he was looking forward to ensuring that Players have access to high-level financial support and is eager to assist them with planning their long-term futures.

“I’m really excited to start my new role with Shadforth Financial Group and help implement the Financial Education program for Rugby League players,” Creagh said. “It’s an area that I’m really passionate about and an ideal role for me after an enjoyable past 12 months as a Wellbeing Officer with the Dragons.

“I completed my Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Finance in 2013 at the University of Wollongong and I’m looking forward to utilising those skills in a way that I feel passionately about – by assisting the current playing group in managing some of the financial challenges that they may come across as a professional Rugby League player.

“Most players will have very different journeys transitioning out of the game – for me it has been fairly smooth but that has a lot to do with the planning I had in place while I was playing.

“The Financial Education program will be the first holistic program in Rugby League and a great tool that will help players get into the right habits from a young age, so that they begin planning for their transition out of the game whilst they are still playing.

“This role is a great fit for me as a former player as it combines two of my interests – Rugby League and Finance – so I’m really excited to get started.”

RLPA CEO Ian Prendergast said the appointment of Creagh is the perfect fit to help drive the program forward in the Wellbeing and Education space.

“The Financial Education program was introduced very recently with the aim of ensuring players make the most of their time in the game and are well-prepared for their transition out of it,” Prendergast said. “It’s important we have the right people involved who can pass on their knowledge and connect with the current playing group.

“Given Ben’s outstanding character, experience in the NRL and background in finance, he will be extremely valuable in driving the RLPA/NRL leading-edge Financial Education Program.

“On behalf of the RLPA, I welcome Ben into his role with Shadforth Financial Group and we look forward to working with him very closely in the future.”

Shadforth Financial Group CEO Angus Benbow said Creagh is a great addition to their team.

“We are delighted that Ben is joining Shadforth Financial Group as a Financial Wellbeing Adviser,” Benbow said. “Ben’s extensive experience as a professional rugby league athlete, combined with his financial studies qualifications, motivations to make a difference in this area and recent role as Player Wellbeing Officer, make him the ideal person to deliver financial wellbeing support as part of Shadforth’s Financial Education and Wellbeing partnership with the RLPA and NRL.

“Ben is an excellent cultural fit in terms of his leadership experience and ability to provide one-on-one support to players, and it’s great to be able to welcome him to the Shadforth Financial team.”