AS a hearing-impaired teenager, Prospect's Hailee Harris knows how difficult social and physical activity can be for other hearing-impaired students.
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On Tuesday, students from across the North and North-West took part in an Active Deaf Kids Clinic at the Deloraine Community Centre, designed to get young hearing-impaired community members running around and out of their usual daily life.
More than 25 students from about 20 different schools participated in a range of sports, including tennis, Australian rules and hockey.
They even received one-on-one coaching from some of state's best athletes, including Western Storm's Braden McGee and Hockey Tasmania's Helen Partridge.
"I think it's important to get to know other deaf people," Ms Harris said.
"And sport is a fun way to do it."
Event organiser, Deaf Sports Australia's Irena Farinacci, said the annual program was a confidence booster for the students.
"Deaf students can often feel isolated from others in schools," she said.
"This is about building confidence, teaching them the healthy benefits of sport and allowing them to meet new people."
