Australian netballer Paige Hadley has been active in the world of top sports for 14 years. Now she is preparing for the next chapter of her life and taking with her investment education and knowledge for her family’s future.
She recently teamed up with investment advisory firm InvestorKit and hopes to spark more open conversations about money and investing, especially for women. It comes as she prepares for motherhood and is expecting her first child in February.
She is focused on preparing her family for the future and is passionate about showing women that investing doesn’t have to be overwhelming and is something that can create safety and choice for yourself and your children.
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“As an elite female athlete, the income we earn is unfortunately unlikely to be life-changing and won’t leave me hanging for years after I hang up the netball dress,” she said.
“It (real estate investing) was quite new to me and quite scary, but working with InvestorKit they have been great at removing the uncertainties of what is feasible and achievable.
“I think if I did it on my own it would be a lot more intimidating: ‘no, I can’t afford that, I can’t do that, I can’t do this, where do I go, where do I look,’ but if Investorkit sits down and asks what your goals are and where you actually want to be, and I’m fortunate enough to have a partner who explores this.
“For me, it was always about not going beyond what I could achieve and manage.”
Netball Australia’s minimum player salary for the Super Netball competition is $46,600, as part of the existing agreement.
Players can earn extra money through representative duties and sponsorships, but many have to look for extra work to make ends meet.
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Ms. Hadley has been active in the elite sports environment for 14 years
Ms Hadley said entering her new chapter has made her reconsider what is important in life.
“I want to be able to spend time with my child and my career and I don’t want to work all those crazy hours like I have to pay the bills and the mortgage in Sydney,” she said.
“There are so many other opportunities and paths you can take, it may take longer and it may be a lot of work here and now, but hopefully you put yourself out there and give your family a great life and great opportunities, and all those things that I had as a kid.”
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Ms. Hadley is passionate about educating women about investing for their future.
According to Ms Hadley, it’s all about education on how to use your money so you can get the best out of it for yourself and your family.
“It’s disheartening and times are changing,” she said.
“Everyone is in different positions and it is important not to compare yourself, but the most important thing is that you are well educated.
“I’d like to help more women realize that investing isn’t just for ‘experts’ – it’s something we can do to build security and opportunity for ourselves and our families.”
InvestorKit CEO and head of research Arjun Paliwal said the partnership with Ms Hadley reflects a strong alignment between elite sport and long-term financial decision-making.
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“Paige is incredibly thoughtful in the decisions she makes, whether it’s sports or investing. She has taken the time to educate herself, ask the right questions and build a real estate portfolio with a long-term view,” he said.
Ms. Paliwal said Ms. Hadley “is an absolute inspiration to many women who have been unsure and insecure about making the move.”
“This is an everyday Australian trying to build wealth and get on the property ladder, and she has done a fantastic job,” he said.
“What she did so well is the approach of building a team, following a plan and as soon as she had enough savings to make a move, she would make a move.”
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Mr Paliwal said he believes there is a misconception surrounding investors in Australia.
“People forget they are ordinary Australians trying to build wealth and get ahead,” he said.
“People are afraid of making mistakes, afraid of talking to someone else and maybe they make a mistake and because of that maybe they don’t want to be liable or they don’t want to have thoughts about that and they don’t want to jump into it.”
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