BACK-row forward Marco Mama has become the latest member of the Warriors squad to commit his future to the club just a year after suffering a career-threatening injury.
Mama, 29, has signed a one-year extension to his contract having bravely battled his way back to fitness after the Zimbabwean suffered compartment syndrome – a severe dead leg – against Gloucester last April.
The popular Sixways ace required four operations in ten days just to save his right leg and was dealt a further blow when suffered a recurrence against Exeter last November.
However, the fans’ favourite is now back on the field having made his return in January before the current Gallagher Premiership campaign was halted because of the Coronavirus outbreak.
“I’m delighted to have signed a new contract at what is an exciting time for the club,” Mama said.
“We have some excellent talent in the squad and we have shown in recent months that we can retain our best players. Alan Solomons has always stated that his intention is to develop the club around a core of homegrown players.
“We also have a new coaching team in place for next season and I’m excited by the prospect of working with them. I’ve always enjoyed my time with Warriors and feel that I have been well accepted by the fans.”
Mama arrived at Sixways on an initial loan from Bristol in August 2015 and signed a permanent deal five months later. He made his 50th appearance against Sale Sharks two years ago and has now played 62 times for Warriors and scored seven tries.
Director of rugby Solomons said: “Marco is a great athlete and a terrific rugby player, who has made an invaluable contribution to the Warriors’ cause over a number of years.
“Over and above this, he is a tremendous bloke and an outstanding team man who has good leadership qualities. I thoroughly enjoy working with Marco and look forward to us continuing to do so as we seek to move the club forward.”
Off the field Warriors have signed a deal with Irish-based sportswear manufacturer O’Neills Irish International Sports Company Ltd to become the club’s official kit supplier.
The three-year deal will see O’Neills supply kit across the Gallagher Premiership club covering Warriors, Warriors Women and Three Pears Warriors Academy for the 2020/21 season as well as replica kit for supporters.
O’Neills were established in 1918 and have state-of-the-art production facilities in Strabane and Dublin. The company supplies personalised sportswear to hundreds of grassroots and professional sports clubs across the globe.