{{ propApi.closeIcon }}
Our industry
Our industry $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Economic research & forecasting Economics Housing outlook Economic reports & data Tailored market research Advocacy & policy Advocacy Policy priorities Position statements Submissions News and inspiration Industry news Member alerts Media releases HOUSING Online
Business support
Business support $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Become an apprentice host Hire an apprentice Why host a HIA apprentice? Apprentice partner program Builder & manufacturer program Industry insurance Construction legal expenses insurance Construction works insurance Home warranty insurance Tradies & tool insurance Planning & safety solutions Building & planning services How can safety solutions help you? Independent site inspections Solutions for your business Contracts Online HIA Tradepass HIA SafeScan Advertise jobs Trusted support & guidance Contracts & compliance support Professional services Industrial relations Member savings Toyota vehicles The Good Guys Commercial Fuel savings See all
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right Building codes Australian standards Getting it right on site See all Building materials & products Concrete, bricks & walls Getting products approved Use the right products for the job See all Managing your business Dealing with contracts Handling disputes Managing your employees See all Managing your safety Falls from heights Safety rules Working with silica See all Building your business Growing your business Maintaining your business See all Other subjects COVID-19 Getting approval to build Sustainable homes See all
Careers & learning
Careers & learning $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
A rewarding career Become an apprentice Apprenticeships on offer Frequently asked questions Study with us Find a course to suit you Qualification courses Learning on demand A job in the industry Get your builder's licence Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Find jobs
HIA community
HIA community $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Join HIA Sign me up How do I become a member? What's in it for me? Mates rates Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Partner with us Our initiatives HIA Building Women GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom and design hub Get to know us Our members Our people Our partners Support for you Charitable Foundation Mental health program
Awards & events
Awards & events $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Awards program People & Business Awards GreenSmart Australian Housing Awards Awards winners Regional Award winners Australian Housing Award winners 2023 Australian Home of the Year Enter online Industry events Events in the next month Economic outlook National Conference Events calendar
HIA products
HIA products $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Shop @ HIA Digital Australian Standards Contracts Online Shipping & delivery Purchasing T&Cs See all Products Purchase NCC 2022 Building codes & standards Economic reports Hard copy contracts Guides & manuals
About Contact Newsroom
$vuetify.icons.faTimes
$vuetify.icons.faMapMarker Set my location Use the field below to update your location
Address
Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location

$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

Head in the game

{{ tag.label }} {{ tag.label }} $vuetify.icons.faTimes
At the height of his professional career, AFL player Tom Downie didn’t expect to be struck with incapacitating anxiety. Now a Beyond Blue speaker, he tells his story to help others who may be experiencing similar concerns in high pressure environments.

Laura Valic

Editor

Your adrenalin is pumping, boisterous crowds are cheering and the thrill of the game you love is propelling you onto the field to test your skill and endurance over the next 120 minutes. 

For professional athlete, Tom Downie, this was a familiar and welcome experience while playing for AFL club, Greater Western Sydney Giants (GWS) from 2012 to 2017. 
Until it wasn’t. 

Growing up in regional Victoria, Tom’s big love in life was definitely sport. Tall and athletic, he was particularly adept at football and basketball, making regional and national teams as well as landing a sports scholarship at a reputable sports school in Ballarat. Before long, Tom was ‘fixated on sport’ and intently focused on pursuing a career with a professional club. Just two weeks after finishing Year 12, his dream was realised when he was drafted into the AFL league for GWS on a two-year contract.

‘Playing sport has always given me a feeling of complete freedom,’ Tom says.

Tom (centre) with his team mates after winning a NEAFL premiership in 2016
Tom with girlfriend Simone

As Australia’s youngest AFL club, the Giants had much to prove when it entered the competition in 2012. Over time, the club’s on-field wins saw it gain a growing fan base and membership, and with that came certain expectations for success.

‘It’s a very high pressure industry,’ Tom explains. ‘It’s no different from any other job which requires you to perform at your best, but it’s so results-driven and everyone’s contract is constantly winding down. You have to prove yourself all the time, from players to staff to coaches – everyone is [fighting to keep] their position.’

No stranger to the pressure of competing, Tom was now being paid to play ‘at the highest level’ with increased scrutiny, including media, which was a very different ball game to his junior competitions.

There came a day when that sense of joy and freedom he usually experienced while playing football drastically diminished. Tom was 22 and in his fifth year with the Giants when he found anxiety was beginning to have a detrimental effect on his game.

‘The frightening part was it stopped me from performing,’ he explains. It would take over me in a way which made me feel physically off. I would freeze up in particular moments on the field which caused me to lose confidence in my ability.’

While he had some ‘informal and formal’ conversations with the club psychologist, Tom reached out to an external professional in his fifth year to try to get on top of the anxiety. He was prescribed medication and after playing out the end of the season, he briefly felt he had overcome his anxiety.

But going into his sixth year the butterflies, doubt and negative thought patterns returned. On top of that he was experiencing guilt and frustration for having to sit on the sidelines for games and training sessions. The continuing anxiety led to a bout of depression, and while he says he had club support to take the time to get well, the expectations he had for himself were just as difficult to control.

‘I put a lot of pressure on myself and I was unsure if I could hold my nerve,’ he says. ‘I asked to go back on anti-anxiety meds, but it wasn’t strong enough; I couldn’t control the feelings in my stomach or the worry about my performance and fear of failing. I was going to two psychologist appointments a week and trying different techniques, like breathing exercises, but I couldn’t do anything to get it to go away. There was no quick fix solution.’

So at 24, and after the offer of another two-year contract, Tom made the tough choice to retire from AFL.

Tom with girlfriend Simone and his grandfather

‘The most difficult part was it was all I could ever ask for, starting out my professional career as a paid athlete.’ 

With wisdom that seems beyond his years, Tom says he felt he needed to learn more about himself, focus on his mental health and recovery more than anything else. ‘I had my whole life ahead of me and I didn’t want to keep falling into these holes. Choosing to retire took a big weight off my shoulders; it [inspired] curiosity to learn about the anxiety that gave me low self-esteem, and controlled my thoughts and performance.’

As a sporting figure, the news was soon public but Tom says that led to a new chapter for him. ‘I had a lot of people reaching out to me who said “Thanks for sharing your story, I feel better about myself”. So I spent the next six months taking public speaking opportunities and just being open about “why”.’

Tom moved back to Melbourne at the end of 2017 and in between taking on study and varying jobs, including landscaping, he joined Beyond Blue as a speaker which he continues today. ‘It has given me tremendous pride and satisfaction – talking about and having other people take something out of my story. Speaking out has really helped me in my recovery.’

Today, Tom is focused on keeping on top of his mental health, which includes an exercise regimen, healthy eating, plenty of sleep and maintaining personal relationships. He has also tried strategies from meditation to Chinese medicine.

‘I’ve learnt that anxiety is something to manage, it will go up and down and sometimes will come out of nowhere, but I understand it better now,’ he says. ‘All my good habits came from fear of returning to that dark place. The lesson I learnt from that period in my life is I need to take my mental health seriously because it could easily become unsafe.’

Tom is also hoping to make a comeback into the sport he still loves. ‘I’m 27 now and my athletic career won’t last forever but I know what I am still capable of and there’s still a small window left to do that. It’s what gives me the most inspiration and drive, and being my best self is being a sportsman. I feel confident that with what I know now, and that experience behind me, I can manage professional sport again.’

Information & resources

HIA and the HIA Charitable Foundation have teamed up with Beyond Blue to provide resources to help people manage their mental health in the building industry. HIA understands the stigma surrounding mental health and is offering members the best tools to tackle this issue head on.

Find more information and resources on managing mental health, including fact sheets, checklists and videos 

If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health issues, contact Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 at any time and speak to someone who can help you.

You might also like:

Bathroom Design Inspiration Kitchens
Peachy keen
Imbued with warmth and modern elegance, Peach Fuzz is the go-to tone when designing, developing or revitalising an interior.
Mar 24
2 min
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Apprentice Business and digital Education Networking
Jumping-off point
To give apprentices the tools to stay on the job longer, they can learn from the best in the building industry. HIA Apprentices offers various initiatives, including its targeted BuildHer and LAHC programs.
Mar 24
7 min
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Projects Design Inspiration
How to introduce Peach Fuzz
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the prestigious Pantone Colour of the Year program, a global expression of mood and attitude. Its current Colour of the Year, Peach Fuzz, brings a sense of serenity and positivity to any spa...
Mar 24
4 min
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Design Innovation Renovations
Seven styles for a modern home
After extensive research, industry innovator James Hardie has uncovered what Australians really want when it comes to producing a modern home. So, what has its forecast revealed?
Mar 24
4 min
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Australian Standards Building developments Building Code of Australia (BCA)
Digital marketing for builders
What’s the value of leveraging digital marketing? It can help build a captivating brand and craft content that attracts clients, taking your business to the next level.
Mar 24
4 min
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Affordable Building developments Federal government In Focus Residential
Shifting the tide
Our industry has received a range of negative stories directed our way over the past 12 months. These stories tell only one side of the story, rather than highlighting all the fantastic work our industry does. It’s time to shift t...
Mar 24
4 min
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Residential Building developments Inspiration Projects
Luxury squared
Taking its design cues from classic European architecture, this cleverly engineered, deceptively detailed home has a commanding street presence.
Mar 24
4 mins
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Residential Renovations Affordable In Focus
Granny flat fever
In space-constrained capital cities, building a well-designed granny flat could provide respite to an already hot housing market.
Mar 24
4 min
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
President's report National Construction Code (NCC) BASIX Contracts
NSW President’s report
The first quarter of 2024 has continued to present significant challenges to the residential construction sector.
Mar 24
2 min
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Residential Awards Inspiration Projects
Leap of faith
When a ceramic artist purchased a dilapidated warehouse, he needed a building team that could sympathetically convert this space into a striking home and dynamic studio.
Mar 24
5 mins
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Concrete Inspiration Residential Projects
Curves ahead
Inspired by the modernist glamour of Palm Springs, this curvaceous concrete-and-timber Brisbane home is as cool and fresh as a summer breeze.
Mar 24
3 min
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Inspiration Work Health and Safety (WHS) Wellbeing
Stories from the frontline
If you’re battling mental health, Beyond Blue speakers Craig Killian, Peta Sitcheff and Tim Lacey want you to know you’re not alone. Their stories of challenge and recovery are recognisable, relatable and, ultimately, inspiring.
Mar 24
5 min
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight