AUSTRALIA Football League (AFL) national rep Halamehi Tuilomani is breaking barriers being the only hearing and speech impaired person in the side.

Tuilomani says nothing is impossible if you believe in yourself.

Tuilomani 24, will represent Fiji in the AFL International Cup in Australia next week.

“Do what your heart desires,” she said through sign language interpreted by her mother Mere Masi who will also be also be travelling with the team.

The AFL Fiji women’s and men’s teams presented their i-tatau to the President at Boron House in Suva yesterday.

Tuilomani loves sport and did not dream that one day she will represent her country, let alone the AFL World Cup, Australia’s major sport.

“I always watch my cousin Alipate Carlile who plays for Port Adelaide in Australia. I joined AFL in December 2013 because I love sports.

“I began playing rugby, but that didn’t work for me because it had so many rules, so I opted for AFL.

“When they (AFL Fiji) came to school at Gospel High School to hold a coaching clinic, I decided to give it a go, so they saw how I was interested in the game and they asked me to join the team.

“I chose it because it was a non-physical game, there were a lot of running and kicking and most importantly it was fun.”

Tuilomani is from Jiliva, Nakasaleka in Kadavu.

She is not a new face in the national side having been selected three years ago.

With her inclusion, team members had to learn to communicate through sign language inorder to mantain communication on the field, and off the field.

“Playing with my fellow hearing team mates helped me understand them and I help them understand mine which was a big help for all of us.

“Playing in this sport has made me on track especially my personal life. I made some wrong decisions in the past and they taught me to accept myself.

“It’s hard being a mute person. Sometimes I get frustrated on how my life turned out, but when I joined this sport, the players helped me to accept who I am and they helped me live like a normal person.”

She gave credit to the AFL Fiji management for letting her play as she is the only physically challenged person in the team.

“The officials have accepted me for being deaf and they had always supported me,” she said.

“This is my second year representing Fiji. When I started, it was a bit hard because of communication, but I decided to be confident and the players were helpful.

“They know my skills and talents, and I feel good when I am on the field with them.

“We have an interpreter on the ground who’ve have taught the players sign languages, but when we’re on the field, we don’t use signs, but I try my best to wave to them or run in front of them so that they can kick the ball to me.

“It’s all about studying the rules and getting your head in the game,” she said.

Tuilomani who has maternal links to Nabouono, Macuata, was excited when she met the President, Major General (retired) Jioji Konrote yesterday.

“It was my first time to meet a president of Fiji and I was very nervous when he shook my hand and hugged me, but seeing him smile, I felt confident.”

She hopes that more sports will take on disable people to be part of the team, she knows that it will be difficult at first but as a saying goes it’s a chance of a lifetime it’s better to try than to ignore it.

For coach Simon Highfield he praised Halemehi as one of the best player in the team.

“She is awesome, hilarious and she makes everyone giggle and her skills and ability is fantastic.

“She’s got a beautiful set of skills she knows the sport really well and she’s got a great amount of support around her.

“She is really a strong ambassador for people living with disability to play in a able person sport so she is a living testimony so I can’t wait to see her play in Australia.”

She is not a new face in the national side having been selected three years ago.

With her inclusion, team members had to learn to communicate through sign language in order to maintain communication on the field and off the field.

“Playing with my fellow hearing teammates helped me understand them and I help them understand mine, which was a big help for all of us.

“Playing in this sport has made me on track especially my personal life. I made some wrong decisions in the past and they taught me to accept myself.

“It’s hard being a mute person. Sometimes, I get frustrated on how my life turned out, but when I joined this sport the players helped me to accept who I am and they helped me live like a normal person.”

She gave credit to the AFL Fiji management for letting her play as she was the only physically challenged person in the team.

“The officials have accepted me for being deaf and they had always supported me,” she said.

“This is my second year representing Fiji. When I started, it was a bit hard because of communication, but I decided to be confident and the players were helpful.

“They know my skills and talents, and I feel good when I am on the field with them.

“We have an interpreter on the ground who’ve have taught the players sign languages, but when we’re on the field, we don’t use signs, but I try my best to wave to them or run in front of them so that they can kick the ball to me.

“It’s all about studying the rules and getting your head in the game,” she said.

Tuilomani, who has maternal links to Nabouono, Macuata, was excited when she met the President Jioji Konrote yesterday.

“It was my first time to meet a president of Fiji and I was very nervous when he shook my hand and hugged me, but seeing him smile, I felt confident.”

She hopes that more sports will take on disable people to be part of the team, she knows that it will be difficult at first but as a saying goes it’s a chance of a lifetime it’s better to try than to ignore it.

As for coach Highfield, he praised Halemehi as one of the best player in the team.

“She is awesome, hilarious and she makes everyone giggle and her skills and ability is fantastic.”