Leicester City defender Bruno Berner is spending time to encourage wider participation in football while on injury break. He visited the Leicestershire and Rutland County FA headquarters yesterday to interact with aspiring footballers with a disability and was inspired by their enthusiasm for the beautiful game.

"Football is so big worldwide and there's no reason why it shouldn't be played by disabled people, whether they are physically or mentally disabled," Bruno said. "It absolutely inspires you as a player as well. You never stop learning and that's another part of life.

"Getting as many people as possible involved in sport generally is vital. A ball is a good toy to bring the fun factor, which is very important. You can do it with football, basketball, volleyball or whatever."

The Switzerland international was pleased to be part of the launch and would like more professional players to show their support.

"It's good that the people that support these kind of initiatives try to approach players and professionals as well and I think it's important for players to get involved as much as possible."

'A Vision For Goal - Every Player Counts' is the County FA's initiative to bring more diversity to football and encourage everyone to play, with a disability not standing in the way. Bruno attended the launch event alongside City legend Steve Walsh, Lord Mayor Roger Blackmore and the Chief Executive of the Leicestershire and Rutland County FA, Laurence Jones.

Players from the Leicester Blind Football Academy and the Leicestershire and Rutland Disability representative teams, who took part in last summer's Special Olympics, keenly added their support.

"It's fantastic to support from my point of view and it's good to see Bruno representing the football club. It's a really worthwhile initiative and these are amazing people. It does touch you," City's former skipper Steve Walsh added.

"I've been lucky to have a fantastic career in football and to support something like this is great. Every player counts and that's the message that the Vision for a Goal initiative is trying to get across. From just talking to these people you get a great idea of their enthusiasm and the confidence that they get from playing football."

For more information about the 'A Vision for a Goal - Every Player Counts' initiative, please contact Mary Rudkin, the Disability Football Development Officer for Leicestershire and Rutland Inclusive Football Partnership on 0116 2844952 or e-mail mary.rudkin@leicestershirefa.com.