Preparations for the highly anticipated industry boxing event are ramping up, with applications streaming in for Pitch2Punch.

Applications closed on Friday 6 July, but the hunt is still on for the final industry champions to step into the ring and help smash the stigma surrounding mental ill health.

With that in mind, Pitch2Punch has partnered with a new charity partner this year – batyr, a for-purpose preventative mental health organisation created and driven by young people for young people.

Following his own personal struggles with mental health, batyr founder Sebastian Robertson launched the organisation in 2011, recognising that it was time to have open and honest conversations about mental health with young people.

“We know there is a strong link between regular physical activity and positive mental wellbeing, and we are thrilled that Pitch2Punch has chosen batyr as their charity partner to address the issue of mental health in the media and advertising industry,” Jon Davies, CEO of batyr, said.

“At batyr, we’re all about smashing the stigma around mental ill health and empowering young people to reach out for help when they need it, and this partnership is a great way to promote this message.

“We’re keen to work with the participants and the industry to shine a light on this issue and talk about how as a community we can better support each other and ourselves.”

Pitch2Punch will join forces with batyr to encourage positive mental wellbeing for the participants during the 11 weeks of training, as well as providing tools for the champions to take back into their workplaces.

Funds raised at the gala event’s charity auction will go towards batyr’s programs helping to spread the word to more young Australians.

Any last-minute industry champions who are interested in stepping into the Pitch2Punch ring should contact the Kreate team today on info@pitch2punch.com.

Training kicks off on Sunday 19 August, with the gala main event to be held on Friday 2 November at the Westin Sydney’s grand ballroom.