SCRUM-HALF Jonny Arr admitted it was an emotional and humbling moment when he discovered he was to be given a testimonial season for a decade of service to his hometown club.
The Warriors player, who made his first-team debut against London Irish in December 2007, will enjoy the testimonial season throughout the 2017/18 campaign where the club will host a number of events to honour him and raise funds for the Warriors Community Foundation and Restart Rugby.
“I’m immensely excited and hopefully it’ll be a season to remember both on and off-the-pitch,” said the 29-year-old.
“The fans have been behind me since day one and I’m hugely grateful for their support over the years. I’m humbled to have been given the opportunity to have a testimonial season at my hometown club.
“I’ve been involved with Warriors since I started playing rugby at the age of seven and have been fortunate enough to have made a career in the game at a club which means an awful lot to me,” he added.
Arr has become a key figure at Sixways, having featured 188 times for the club, more than any other current player.
The former Royal Grammar School student has played 99 Premiership games and was instrumental during Warriors’ Championship promotion campaigns in 2010/11 and 2014/2015.
During his ten years at the club, he has picked up the Young Player of the Year award, Most Improved Player of the Year award and Player of the Year award.
Head coach Carl Hogg said: “Jonny epitomises the core values of this great game of rugby. His level of passion and commitment to the game, his teammates and the club is exceptional.
“He’s been an outstanding character and player for the club for more than a decade. In the modern era of professional rugby, this is in itself remarkable.
“He’s a true Warrior in every sense of the word, so we’re delighted to be able to recognise his contribution to the sport and the club with a testimonial season.
“I’m sure Jonny’s testimonial events will prove to be a huge success over the coming season and Warriors fans will support these functions as they have supported this talented and popular player throughout the last ten years.”
Arr’s testimonial season will begin with a Lions Brunch at Sixways on Saturday, July 1.