AusCycling announces new partnership with ARA Group

Australia’s national cycling team will be named the ‘ARA Australian Cycling Team’ under a new partnership between AusCycling and ARA Group announced today.

The initial five-year partnership will see the ARA logo displayed on the national kit across all cycling and riding disciplines, beginning with next month’s UCI Cycling World Championships in Scotland.

Over 130 athletes will represent the ARA Australian Cycling Team across nine disciplines at Glasgow 2023, making these World Championships – billed as the biggest cycling event ever – a fitting welcome for AusCycling’s new partner.

ARA is already well known to the road and track community thanks to its naming rights sponsorship of the Australian Cycling Academy (ACA), which has produced riders such as Ruby Roseman-Gannon, Cameron Scott, Maeve Plouffe, and para-cycling world champion Alistair Donohoe. ARA’s investment since 2019 has enabled ACA to more than double its roster; launch a dedicated women’s team; and establish a National Road Series event, Cycle Sunshine Coast.

Marne Fechner, CEO of AusCycling, said: “We’re delighted that ARA Group is partnering with the Australian Cycling Team to support our athletes to achieve their full potential.

“As a young organisation that represents all cycling disciplines, securing our first major partner is a crucial step towards Victoria 2026 and Brisbane 2032 under AusCycling’s 10-year ‘United’ strategy. We’re excited to be working with likeminded partners on the journey towards a home Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“ARA’s commitment to social responsibility, including its contributions to conservation, arts and literature, and the Indigenous community, strongly resonates with AusCycling’s values. I’m looking forward to all the opportunities this partnership will bring.”

Edward Federman, CEO of ARA Group, said: “Today is an exciting day for the ARA Group as we further deepen our association with Australian cycling as the Naming Rights Partner of the Australian Cycling Team.

“Since late 2019, ARA has enjoyed a rewardingly successful association with the Australian Cycling Academy based on the Sunshine Coast and we are beyond thrilled to be further investing in cycling, partnering with AusCycling to support our cyclists across all disciplines to achieve their optimal potential.

“Supporting the communities in which we operate is an important element of our success and we enjoy long-term associations with those community partners. We see this commitment to cycling no differently. We want to share in the journey and it is our intent to support our athletes and enjoy their achievements in the green-and-gold ARA Australian Cycling Team uniform as we look forward to this exciting journey toward Brisbane 2032 and beyond.”

Sophie Edwards, ARA Australian Cycling Team member and Australian Cycling Academy athlete since 2021 said: “I am very excited to hear that ARA has become a major sponsor of the Australian Cycling Team as we continue our build to the Paris Olympics.

“For the last three years ARA have also supported the road team I’m a part of, allowing the team to step up to UCI Continental level this year and opening the door to even more race experiences.

“Their generous support has and will continue to create opportunities for Australians in cycling, and I look forward to seeing what this partnership can do!”

The ARA Australian Cycling Team riders for Glasgow 2023 will be announced on Tuesday, July 18.

About ARA Group

ARA Group is an employee-owned business founded in 2001. It has operations in Australia and New Zealand across four divisions – Fire & Security, Electrical, Property Services, and Products – employing 3,000 staff.

ARA Group owns 49 per cent of ARA Indigenous Services (ARAIS), a cleaning company that is majority-owned by former AFL player Michael O’Loughlin. ARAIS focuses on utilising an Indigenous workforce and procuring goods and services from Indigenous companies.

ARA contributes significantly to the community through partnerships with the Sydney Writers’ Festival, Taronga Zoo, NIDA, children’s literacy programs, the Sydney Swans and the Australian Cycling Academy, as well as through charitable donations and the ARA Historical Novel Prize.

Its tagline is “Here for you. Here for good.”