Fourteen coaches from local clubs descended on Chelmsford Rugby Club this week to undergo training in mental health awareness.

The course was delivered by Gary Richardson on behalf of StreetGames, the national charity which is a lead partner in the #21by21 campaign that aims to get 21,000 community sport coaches trained in mental health awareness by 2021.

The event was organised by Dom Fenton, who is Assistant Safeguarding Officer at Chelmsford Rugby Club. Dom has been commissioned by Essex Youth Service to facilitate the courses for the benefit of coaches and young players around Chelmsford.

Dom also acts as transition manager for new players entering the club and its academy, and sees the awareness course as a crucial element in what the club offers.

He told ConnectSport: “It was great to have coaches from other clubs and sports attend and we look forward to putting others on the course in the future

“We had 14 coaches from across netball, ice hockey and rugby; we had a personal trainer and a sports coach who works with schools. It was a really good evening.”

To find out more visit 21by21.info.