York St John University is to conduct research as part of the #21by21 campaign.

The campaign, which is being supported by 11 organisations and spearheaded by the Sport for Development Coalition, aims to encourage 21,000 community sport coaches to become trained in mental health awareness by the year 2021.

Two postgraduate researchers at the University have been funded to support the project and will be conducting an evaluation and making recommendations for the future of the campaign.

Dr Graeme Law, lecturer for sport education and development, explained: "We at York St John University are excited to be the research partner of choice for the #21by21 campaign.

"We believe that sport has the power to support young people in their emotional and physical development and that mental health awareness should be a key component for coaches and volunteers working in sport and physical activity. Coaches and volunteers are often role models for young people and are vital to facilitating their development in all respects."

One of the post graduate researchers, Luke Clayton, added: "The prospect of conducting research at York St John University, in partnership with the Sport for Development Coalition, is extremely exciting.

"Existing research has demonstrated the importance of mental health awareness in sport, especially among the youth of society. I strongly believe in the core aim of this research and I am passionate about raising mental health awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding this topic.

"We aim to provide updates as the project is ongoing to see if coaches and volunteers are feeling more comfortable talking about mental health within their sport setting."

To find out more, visit 21by21.info.