OAC Oceania welcomes four new members in major team expansion
Swiss sportswear brand On continues to invest in its professional track team based in Melbourne, Australia with the signing of four new track athletes.
19 October 2023
Melbourne, Australia, October 19, 2023 - Today, On announced the official partnership with four Australian athletes who will bolster the brand’s OAC Oceania team in Melbourne. Under the guidance of Olympian and head coach Craig Mottram, the new athletes will take the next step in their career as professional athletes after the end of their NCAA eligibility in the USA.
The quartet will join OAC Oceania founding members Ben Buckingham, Claudia Hollingsworth, Maudie Skyring, and Tess Kirsopp Cole, as well as Bendere Oboya, who was the first new addition to the team in June.
Imogen Barrett
Imogen Barrett is a middle-distance distance runner from Brisbane, Australia. The 23-year-old moved overseas in 2018 to run at the University of Florida as a student-athlete. In her time in the USA, she was part of the Florida Gators team that won the NCAA indoor and outdoor national titles, was the SEC conference champion, and earned 3 All-American honors.
“I chose On because I love the community that the brand creates and connects, as well as the thought and authenticity that they put into both their products and their athletes.“
Zach Facioni
A 5000m runner from Sydney, Australia, Zach Facioni has been running competitively since he was 15 years old. The 24-year-old recently graduated from Wake Forest University after a five-year NCAA stint where he was a 3-time cross country All-American and set school records across five different events from the 1500m to the 5000m. He also represented Australia at the World Cross Country Championships in Uganda in 2017.
“On is building something that no other brand has done for a very long time. For too long brands have been content with how things have always been, unwilling to shake things up and I believe that’s caused the sport to become stale. On is looking to change that and I feel honored to be a part of it.”
Jesse Hunt
Originally from Perth, Australia, the 25-year-old moved to the USA to pursue running at the next level. Over five years, Hunt earned multiple All-American and ACC Champion honors at the University of North Carolina.
“On is doing it right. The support for athletes to pursue their dreams is incredible, and I am very excited to be a part of the brand. I am so excited to join OAC Oceania in pursuit of my best.
Ed Trippas
Ed Trippas is an Australian steeplechaser from Sydney. The 25-year-old competed for the University of Princeton and the University of Washington in his NCAA career and is now moving back home to Australia to be part of OAC Oceania. He has represented Australia at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, at the World Championships in Eugene, and claimed seventh place at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022.
“On is growing so fast and innovating to make the best products and athletes in the world which is awesome to be a part of. Having a company that is trying to push the sport forward makes me proud to wear the brand.”
The shared experiences, paralleling careers, and diverse backgrounds are going to aid the growing OAC Oceania team immensely. For those starting their post-collegiate, professional chapters, having a strong, motivated training group is incredibly important. For those with more experience, the expansion of the team means new insights and personalities to lighten the mood. The chance to explore Melbourne, new routes, and trails together as a team brings a breath of fresh air and excitement.
“The first few months with OAC Oceania have been brilliant. Growing the team, bringing these athletes together, working with them to create a supportive, ambitious and fun atmosphere has certainly been a highlight. Since our launch in February this year, the team has grown significantly with the introduction of five new members”, Head Coach Craig Mottram said. “Moving forward with a larger team and significant talent across a range of events, I am excited to watch these athletes develop and continue to challenge themselves on a daily basis in an environment that supports and encourages them to bring out their best. We are looking forward to the next phase of building this team towards National and International success over the months and years to come. Game On.”
About OAC Oceania
The On Athletics Club Oceania consists of nine athletes from Australia who dare to dream big and redefine the next generation of running. Based in Melbourne, OAC Oceania is led by four-time Olympian and former long and middle-distance runner Craig Mottram.
About On
On was born in the Swiss Alps with one goal: to revolutionize the sensation of running by empowering all to run on clouds. Thirteen years after market launch, On delivers industry-disrupting innovation in premium footwear, apparel, and accessories for high-performance running, outdoor, and all-day activities. Fueled by customer recommendation, On’s award-winning CloudTec® innovation, purposeful design, and groundbreaking strides in sportswear’s circular economy have attracted a fast-growing global fan base — inspiring humans to explore, discover and dream on.
On is present in more than 60 countries globally and engages with a digital community on www.on.com.