Plan First, Invest Last

Financial planning for athletes is not about chasing the perfect investment.

It is about taking control of your future after sport.

Most athletes do not fear losing a match.

They fear losing control when their career ends.

Professional sport creates unique financial challenges.

Short careers.
Uneven income.
Early success.
Public pressure.

But here is the good news.

You have far more control than you may realise.

Not through copying what others are doing.

Not through jumping between investments.

But through having a clear plan.

At Xentum Sport, we believe this order matters.

Plan first.
Invest last.

Because when you know where you are going, every financial decision becomes simpler, calmer and more confident.

[Featured image: Athlete training at sunset]
Alt text: financial planning for athletes preparing for life after sport

Financial Planning for Athletes Starts With You

Too many athletes are introduced to money through products.

Funds.
Returns.
Opportunities.

But products are not a strategy.

You are the strategy.

Your life.
Your ambitions.
Your values.
Your future beyond sport.

Investments are just tools that support that.

When planning comes first, money stops being something that happens to you.

It becomes something you direct.

We often meet young players earning well, with several investments already set up, but no clear idea of when work becomes optional or what their money needs to deliver.

Once we build a plan, the conversation shifts from:

“What should I invest in?”

to:

“What do I want my life to look like after sport?”

Sport Careers Are Short. Your Financial Plan Is Long-Term.

Most athletes will only earn at peak levels for a small window of time.

That does not make your future fragile.

It makes financial planning more important.

With the right financial planning, today’s income can become:

Tomorrow’s freedom.
A second career.
Time with family.
Choice and flexibility.

Good financial planning starts with your life, not the market.

It asks:

When would you like work to become optional?
What does a good life look like after sport?
What lifestyle do you want to maintain?
Who do you want to support?

Planning turns vague hopes into clear targets.

Not:
“I want to be comfortable.”

But:
“I want £5,000 a month, rising with inflation, from age 40, without relying on my playing income.”

Clarity creates confidence.

You can see how we structure this through our WealthPlan Process:
Wealth Planning

Direction Creates Power

Many athletes are wired for performance.

Faster.
Stronger.
Better.

Money works differently.

Progress comes from direction, not speed.

Planning provides the map.

Investing provides the transport.

When you have direction, financial planning becomes calm and intentional.

Cashflow Is the Control Centre of Financial Planning for Athletes

At the heart of good financial planning sits cashflow.

Understanding:

What comes in.
What goes out.
What is saved.
What is invested.
What is surplus.

This shows:

How long your money could last.
What lifestyle is sustainable.
How much risk you can afford to take.

This is not about restriction.

It is about freedom.

You can read more about our planning-led approach here:
How we help!

Financial Planning Protects You From Costly Mistakes

Most long-term damage to wealth is not caused by markets.

It is caused by behaviour.

Panic selling.
Chasing trends.
Constant switching.

A plan gives you an anchor.

When markets move, the question becomes:

“Has anything changed in my life plan?”

If the answer is no, you stay the course.

Vanguard research shows that behavioural guidance and discipline can add significant long-term value compared to trying to pick winning investments.
Value of an Planner

Investing Becomes Calm and Purposeful

Once the plan is clear, investing becomes simpler.

The questions shift to:

What return is actually required?
How volatile can the journey be?
Which tax wrappers are appropriate?
How should assets be diversified?

Your portfolio exists to serve your future life.

Not impress other people.

You can see our investment philosophy here:
Investment Philosophy

Planning Is Not Just for Rich Athletes

Financial planning for athletes is not a reward for success.

It is a tool for building it.

The earlier you plan:

The more options you create.
The more mistakes you avoid.
The more control you gain.

Independent Evidence Supports Financial Planning First

MoneyHelper explains that financial advice should begin with understanding your circumstances, priorities and goals before products are recommended.
Money Helper

They also provide guidance on budgeting and understanding your money position:
Budgeting

The Financial Conduct Authority places suitability, client objectives and acting in clients’ best interests at the centre of regulated advice.
https://www.fca.org.uk/firms/client-interests
https://www.fca.org.uk/firms/assessing-suitability-review

What Players and Families Say

Dave Wheatley (Parent)
“As the parent of a young professional footballer, choosing the right financial partner is crucial. I’ve seen how easily athletes can face financial challenges at the end of their careers. That’s why we chose Xentum. Their transparent fees, clear planning approach and financial expertise give us real peace of mind knowing Ethan’s finances are in safe hands.”

Ethan Wheatley (Professional Footballer, age 18, England youth international)
“Partnering with Xentum has been a game-changer for me as a young professional footballer. Their planning is tailored specifically for athletes like me, helping me understand my money, my future and my options. It means I can focus fully on my football, knowing my financial future is being looked after properly.”

Our View at Xentum Sport

Xentum Sport is a UK-based, independent, fixed-fee firm specialising in financial planning for athletes.

We:

Start with planning.
Build cashflow models.
Map life after sport.
Stress test scenarios.
Only then look at investments.

We believe fixed fees remove conflicts and keep advice focused on your life, not the size of your contract.
Fixed Fee Planning

If you want to explore what “enough” really looks like, you may also find our book useful:
Enough Book

A Simple Question

When you are shown an investment, ask:

“How does this move me closer to the life I want after sport?”

If there is no clear answer, pause.

You deserve a plan, not a product.

Final Thought

You train with a plan.

You compete with a plan.

You recover with a plan.

Your money deserves the same respect.

Plan first.
Invest last.

If you would like to explore what empowering financial planning for athletes looks like in practice, you can book an exploratory call here:
Contact Us