A Trusted Partnership with League Football Education
Since 2016, Red Star Education has worked closely with League Football Education (the education part of the English Football League) to deliver impartial, engaging, and relevant financial education to players across their academies.
From the outset, the focus has been on giving young professionals the knowledge, confidence, and life skills they need to make informed financial decisions – on and off the pitch, throughout their careers and beyond.
What began with core sessions around budgeting, wages, and planning has grown into a broader, more sophisticated programme covering financial wellbeing, long-term security, and content tailored for players of all backgrounds, including Muslim athletes, where faith-based financial principles mean certain products or planning approaches need to align with Islamic teachings. As the game has changed, so too has our delivery. Alongside in-person workshops across numerous clubs, we now offer a flexible online learning platform allowing players to engage in a way that suits their schedule and learning style.
In 2025/26, in collaboration with LFE, there will be a new, player-facing booklet developed in direct response to growing concerns around players receiving poor or unsuitable financial advice. Designed as a safeguarding tool, the booklet clearly explains how to identify and engage with a trusted, regulated financial planner – helping players understand what good advice looks like, what red flags to avoid, and how to protect their future from financial missteps.
Crucially, Red Star Education remains proudly independent. We do not sell products, arrange investments, or accept commissions, sponsorships, or incentives from any third parties. We are not tied to any providers and have nothing to gain from players' financial decisions. Our role is purely educational – offering impartial, confidential support that clubs and players can trust. It’s this integrity and professionalism that has helped us become a valued, consistent presence within the league’s player development offering.
Supporting the PDPA with Confidential Financial Wellbeing Coaching
The PDPA, representing professional darts players across the UK and Europe, partnered with Red Star Education to provide confidential, one-to-one financial wellbeing and coaching for their members.
These are not rookies just starting out – the majority are established professionals, many earning well but still facing the unique challenges that come with short careers, uncertain futures, and often, a lack of trusted financial support.
The PDPA wasn’t reacting to a crisis – rather, they recognised that financial wellbeing is a core part of looking after their members holistically. They already had support in place for mental health support, but money is often the missing piece in the wellbeing puzzle. They wanted to offer something truly personal and practical, without judgement or pressure, and with absolute confidentiality at the heart of it. They also wanted to partner with experts in supporting athletes in this way.
Red Star Education works closely with the association to be able to provide one-to-one financial coaching tailored to each player’s individual situation. From understanding cashflow and managing sudden income changes, to planning for life after darts or just feeling more confident with money decisions, the coaching gives members a safe space to ask questions and get clarity. It’s never about selling products or telling people what to do – it’s about helping them build confidence, take control and make informed decisions on their own terms.
For the PDPA, this partnership is about empowering their members. By offering financial wellbeing and coaching as part of their wider support strategy, they’re investing in long-term wellbeing and helping their players feel more secure in all areas of life – not just during their careers, but far beyond.