The PFA have launched a new content series titled ‘Beyond the Game’, which shines a spotlight on the endeavours and careers of professional footballers after they enter the next phase of their career. In the first edition of the new series, Ben Warland discusses with pfa.net.au how he has begun the next phase of his career in finance and the importance of setting yourself up for life after football.
Life has changed quickly for Ben Warland.
From lacing up the boots in the A-League to embracing the ‘9 to 5’ grind, Warland has begun a new career in the finance industry as a Credit Analyst for Vision Finance Collective in Brisbane.
It’s a big change for someone who plied their trade at the highest level in Australia for 12 years, with Adelaide United, Sydney FC and most recently, Brisbane Roar.
Brisbane ultimately didn’t offer Warland a new contract at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, after he made a solitary appearance during the campaign.
“I’ve been a footballer my whole life until now, so there’s been an adjustment, I’m not going to lie about it,” Warland told pfa.net.au
“I came out of last season knowing that I probably wasn’t going to get a renewal and it might be difficult to find something else.”
Warland was determined to find a job as soon as he possibly could. His family were settled in Brisbane and love their life in the Sunshine State, so the goal was simple: hit the phones and network.
“I made it a mission to have something lined up as soon as my contract finished,” Warland said.
“I started hitting the phones and reaching out to people and just being a bit vulnerable.
“I reached out to the broker I’m working under now and just caught up for a coffee to see what it entailed to be a broker.
“Luckily enough, it was good timing and he was looking to bring someone into the team. He took a big punt on me; I’m not going to lie… I don’t have much experience in the finance world, because I’ve just been a footballer my whole life.
“It’s been really good [working at Vision Finance Collective]. It’s different going from rolling into training and being home in the early afternoon, to a 9-5 now. I’d say the first week was difficult, it was more the stress of doing something different and going into a new environment.
“It’s a good balance and I can actually plan weekends now; I can plan some trips with my family. It frees up my weekends and be a bit more flexible with some holidays or getting home for weddings and birthdays.”
Working in finance and property was always of interest to Warland.
After dabbling in a potential career in real estate, Warland switched his focus to mortgage brokering and utilised PFA Education Grants to help him become certified in the field.
“I did my certificates in Cert. 4 Mortgage Broking and Finance Broking and I’m on the way to do my diploma now,” Warland said.
Understanding the finite nature of professional football career, Warland believes it’s “super important” for all players to begin planning for life after their football.
“When I was first starting out, people from the PFA would come out and tell you that you need to start studying, you need to start thinking about life after football, but it sort of goes in one ear and out the other as a young player,” Warland recalls.
“You’re just starting your career, and you don’t really understand how volatile the football world can be. I was fortunate enough to play 12 years, so I had plenty of time to sort my life out post-football.
“But I’d say you need to lean on the PFA.
“You just need to jump into something and try your best at it and if it’s not for you, there’s no harm in that. Because it really nails down what you are going to enjoy post-football. I think that’s super important.
“As footballers, there’s pressure throughout your whole career, that’s no different in the normal world… definitely in the finance world.”
Despite moving away from the day-to-day rigours of professional football, Warland has continued his career outside the A-League joining NPL Queensland side Olympic FC for the remainder of the 2026 season.
And while he’s now away from the A-League system, Warland is proud of what he was able to achieve throughout his 12 years in the competition.
“My career helped me set up my life at the moment as well. I’d say if I wasn’t a professional footballer, I don’t know what I’d be doing,” he said.
“It’s allowed me to buy a house and earn a good enough wage to live a good lifestyle and live where we want to live. I played in some really good teams as well. Won some titles and got some medals.
“It’s really cool to be able to say that I’ve done that and it’d be cool to show my kids in 10-20 years’ time, reflect on it properly and just be really proud of what I’ve achieved. It’s not to say it was all up; there was a lot of downs. I’ve had two ACL reconstructions.
“I’ve seen everything, really.”
