Welcome to the Matthews Athletic & Recreation Association Website!!

We are a family oriented volunteer organization that provides a fun environment, quality facilities, expert instruction, and the highest level of coaching to ensure every child has an enjoyable learning experience with the opportunity to reach their full potential.   We realize that the success of any organization requires various leaders at all levels. We certainly could not operate or be successful without the endless commitment of all administrators, coaches, volunteers, and you, the valued members of the organization.

We hope this website will provide useful and valuable info for all MARA sports. We provide current key contacts, schedules and tournaments for the upcoming or current seasons. Please be sure to visit regularly to get the latest updates.  Matthews Athletic and Recreation Association is an equal opportunity organization. We also offer sponsorship for disadvantaged children.

by posted 05/22/2013
 
Mara Members:

All the storm clean up has been completed!!! It would not have been possiible without the help of some wonderful volunteers!!! I would like to send out a huge thank you to all of those who came out to help. 


Wayne Huwe
Park Manager
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by posted 05/22/2013
 
MARA Members:


Due to yesterdays's storm damage to the park fields #12 & #13 are closed today for games and practice Wednesday May 22nd.  All other fields are open and playable.


Thanks,

Wayne Huwe
Park Manager
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by posted 05/21/2013
 
Mara Members:

As most of you know there was a terrible storm that blew through our park today. As the storm blew through it tore our park to shreds tossing trash cans about, ripping the roof off of the field 12 first base dugout, tearing tree limbs down, and spreading trash throughout the park. With all the work that needs to be done to get the fields ready, I am asking for some volunteer help. If you are available and would like to come help me put our park back into shape, meet me at the park tomorrow at 9:30 AM. I am estimating that it will take 12- 15 people about 4-5 hours to get  things all cleaned up.

Thank you,
Wayne Huwe
Park Manager
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by posted 05/21/2013
 
Mara Members:

Due to the heavy storms this afternoon and damage that was done to dugouts fences  and fields we are locking the park gate and asking people not to come to the park tonight.  Anyone that has key to the gate please do not come and unlock it as we are trying to keep people out until we have cleared the damage. I am will be sending another email out later tonight asking for volunteers to help clear and repaid  the damage.

Wayne Huwe
Park Manager

 
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by posted 05/14/2013
 
All,
 
Sorry for any redundant emails but just wanted to let everyone know that our website is now back up and running.  The site was down unexpectedly Friday through Monday afternoon in the event you were trying to access for summer registration instructions.
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Parents and Players,
Reminder to reply to me, (not to the entire email distribution list), if you plan on participating in our summer season.  Trying to gauge our player numbers.
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Matthews Rugby Club (MRC) is happy to announce that registration is NOW open for our 10th annual summer co-ed youth rugby season.
 
Please go to www.matthewsrugbyclub.com and select the Summer tab for registration details and to learn more about Matthews Rugby Club.
 
This is a 7's player format, two-hand touch, boys and girls league that runs from May 28th – July 27th.  Our format is flexible and designed to accommodate summer vacations and other activities.  Players are grouped by age as follows:
 

• U9's (ages 6 – 8)
• U12's (ages 9 – 11)
• U15's (ages 12 – 14)

The total fee is $100 and includes a club rugby shirt and youth size rugby ball.
 
All players are welcome.  Whether you're new to rugby or a return player wanting to improve your skills and fitness, our summer season is for you!
 
Thanks,
Adam Angulo
Matthews Rugby Club Director
Mobile 704.962.9517
 
 
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by posted 05/10/2013
 

Text | Link               Key Dates and Info     Baseball Challenge Tournament dates - Sunday only - May 19th  Softball May 18th - Char-Meck Softballs' TBallPallooza     Flag Football Game #6 or first round of playoffs - 5/11 Playoffs or game #7 - 5/18      Tackle Football Online registration IS OPEN !!   Cheer Online registration IS OPEN !!     Lacrosse End of Season Turn and Burn Challenge - May 11th                                   May 8th, 2013         What's New at MARA?     MARA Parking Lot We have received extremely favorable feedback about the need to be respectful of our fellow members and the steps that will be taken to tow cars boxing in other members. That is extremely encouraging and we appreciate the feedback.   The organization will be taking steps over the next few months to add more parking spots but until those can be added please be mindful of cars around you when you park.    5 mph Speed Limit The speed limit in the park is the 5 mph. No one wants to be involved in the sort of terrible accident that could happen in a parking lot. Please be mindful of the many children who could run out from behind a parked car and drive 5 mph in the parking lot.    Char-Meck TBallPallooza MARA Softball will be hosting Char-Meck's end-of-season 6U (tee-ball) celebration, TBallPallooza, on Saturday, May 18. There will be 10 teams in attendance playing and having fun from 9:00-1:00, on fields 7 and 4.    If you get the chance, come out and support these enthusiastic young ladies !!   Congrats to MARA 12u Mustangs  The MARA 12u Mustangs coached by Coach James Companion won the April 27/28 A-Bracket tournament in Concord.   Way to go, ladies !!      Challenge Baseball Congratulations to the many MARA Challenge teams who participated in tournaments this spring -   Spring Tournament April 6th & 7th 7U Division    Runner Up: MARA 8U Division    Runner Up: MARA Orange   9U Division    Champions: MARA Orange   10U Division Runner Up: MARA Thunder   April 14th Sunday Only: 9U Division MARA Hurricanes   12U Division          MARA Mad Dogs   April 21st Sunday Only: 7U Division  Champions: MARA    8U3A Division    Champions: MARA Mudcats   8U4ADivision    Runner Up: MARA Orange   9U3A Division    Runner Up: MARA Hurricanes   9U4A Division Runner Up: MARA Orange   10U3A Division MARA Blue   10U4A Division   Champions: MARA Thunder     12U3A Division MARA Maddogs   12U4A Division Champions: MARA Mojo   Football Signups Online signups for the Fall 2013 season are open. Signup and pay in full before May 15th for a $10 early signup discount.   Cheer Signups Cheer registration is also open and online!   Cheer will no longer be affiliated with PopWarner this year which should make the training and paperwork process much less complex.      New Field Space   We have begun clearing some land behind the football field (up the hill from the t-ball fields) to serve primarily as additional football practice space. Clearing this space will eliminate the costly expense of renting field space at other locations. The organization will rent lights in late October to allow teams to practice after dark - something that was not an option at our former rental locations.   The space can also accommodate Flag Football as that program continues to grow.   The area will be seeded and serviced over the summer for use starting in August.   Lacrosse Summary The Mara u11 team wrapped its season by dropping a game under the lights on Friday night to a very skilled team from Xtreme.  The team has come a long way and is really playing some good lacrosse to finish the season strong, Coaches Lin and Eric have done a great job teaching fundamentals and the game of lacrosse this season.   The Mara U13 team also lost a very close game Friday night at Fort Mill.  The team continues to play some great lacrosse and exhibits great teamwork.  Coaches Justin and  Chuck are looking to repeat as Turn and Burn champions on May 11th.   The U15 team played Crestdale Middle School under the lights at MARA last week.  It was an extremely close game but in the end Crestdale pulled out the victory.  Coach Glen has done an amazing job pulling the boys together as a team and they are playing well to finish the season.   Equipment Donations Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the members who donated equipment for reuse by the Baseball for Life organization.     The pictures below show just a small portion of the hundreds of bats, gloves, bags, cleats batting gloves and countless other equipment donated by our members. Baseball for Life gushed their appreciation on their Facebook page.   Great job, MARA!! You should be proud of yourselves for supporting this worthy organization.            Raffle Winners As part of the equipment drive, MARA also raffled off four prizes donated by Play it Again Sports. The winners and/or the winning tickets were -   Composite Baseball Bat - Blankenship, Mark; ticket #639113 New Baseball Glove - ticket #639107 Large Equipment Bag - Sentlinger, Jim; ticket #639123 Smaller Equipment Bag - ticket #639102 Congratulations to Jim and Mark and if you haven't claimed your prize yet and you are holding one of the winning tickets, please contact Tony Franco at   Any prizes unclaimed by the end of the baseball season will be donated to Baseball for Life.       Players and Plates The results are in! With 259 total donations, we'd like to congratulate the AAA Cardinals coached by Wayne Huwe as our 2013 Players and Plates champions! Great job guys! Coach Huwe's team has won a Sno Cone party from the concession stand which will be great if the weather ever gets warm enough to enjoy a Sno Cone.     Thank you to all the families and teams that participated. Collectively MARA members brought in 961 items for the Matthews Help Center. We've gotten everything from pasta to toothpaste and everything in between.   Good work, MARA!       And a "Thank you" to our Sponsors   Advanced Dentistry Arboretum Pediatrics Balfour Beatty Construction Bocock Sports CA Design Carolina Dental Care Carolina's Home Medical Equipment, Inc Carotek Carpet Discount Warehouse Charlotte Motor Speedway Charlotte Playsets Chesser Container Clark Pediatric Dentistry Comfort Inn of Matthews Conbraco Construction Supply Courtyard By Marriott CVETS Dairy Queen Davies, Goldstein & Assoc. CPA Dick's Sporting Goods Discount Floor Covering Domino's Pizza Dr. Mark Petryna Drs. Hull and Coleman Event Images Farm Bureau Insurance Grand Slam Great Clips Harris Teeter Hartsell Brothers Fence Hickory Tavern James Garden, DDS John T. Duncan, CPA Johnson-Motta Insurance Company, Inc Kisella Surgery Center Kiwanis Club Of Matthews Longhorn Steak House Mario's Pizza Matthews Animal Clinic McClintock Heating & Cooling McKee Dental MetLife Nationwide Insurance Pediatric Dentistry Of Matthews Play It Again Sports Queen City Tickets and Tours Security Solutions Inc Signs By Tomorrow Starr and Dickens State Farm, Russ Levinton Sunset Slush of Matthews Terrigno Family Chiropractic Weaver, Bennett & Bland Work at Home United                                                                                                           MARA Youth Sports |  | http://www.marasports.org/           Text | Link           Copyright © 20XX. All Rights Reserved.

 
   
 
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by posted 04/26/2013
 
MARA Members,
 
Due to a large number of occurrences of other members’ cars being boxed in, we are being forced to contract with Williams Wrecker towing company in order to tow any car that has boxed in another member’s car.
 
We understand that parking can be problematic at times but the instances we’ve seen in the last few weeks seem to be more around lack of awareness and not taking a few minutes to ensure the cars around you have a way of exiting their spots. Just this past weekend we had a situation that could have turned into a medical emergency as a result of a member’s elderly grandparent being stuck out in the sun and not able to leave for more than 90 minutes due to being boxed in.
 
During the week of April 29^th we will begin posting signs around the parking lots to ensure there is awareness of this need. Once all the signs are in, we will begin towing the situation arises. If your car is towed, you will need to contact Williams Wrecker (704) at 847-9309 to retrieve your vehicle from their facility on Industrial Drive in Matthews. There will be a fee of at least $120.
 
We apologize for having to take this action but out of consideration towards our membership, we feel this is the right action to take. Please use this weekend to start looking around after you park to ensure the cars around you are able to exit.
 
Regards,

The MARA Board
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by posted 04/15/2013
 
REGISTER NOW FOR 2013 FOOTBALL CHEER SEASON ONLINE (Just click on the Cheer Tab at the top of this page)

FEES

Registration fee: $100.00

Uniform Fee: $85.00 (if you cheered in 2012 for Pop Warner football you may re-use your uniform, and if you need partial pieces you can order these too!)

PRACTICE COMMITTMENT

We will practice three times weekly on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from August 5 until CMS school starts, and then on Mondays once school starts through the rest of the season.

GAMES

Games are held on Saturdays at MARA.  Times vary throughout the year but generally speaking younger children cheer in the morning and older children cheer during afternoon and evening games. 

VOLUNTEERS

We need coaches and assistants!!


 
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by posted 04/14/2013
 

MARA is one of 13 associations participating in the Pop Warner Little Panthers League in the greater Charlotte area. Other associations include: Weddington, Mint Hill, South Park, Olde Providence, Porter Ridge, Steele Creek, PAL associations, Lake Norman, Mallard Creek, Harrisburg, Freedom Drive, Plaza, and Coul-Oak.

MARA & Pop Warner have 5 age/weight divisions of play. Tiny Mite 6-7 years old weighing 35-75 pounds Mitey Mite is the instructional league for 8 - 9 year olds weighing 45-90 pounds. Jr. Pee Wee is for 8-9-10 year olds weighing 60-105 pounds. Pee Wee is for 9-10-11 year olds weighing 75-120 pounds. Jr. Midget is for for 10-11-12 year olds weighing 85-145 pounds. Each division, except for Tiny Mite & Mitey Mite, has an older but lighter category for players who are one year older than the maximum age, and weigh at least 20 pounds less than the maximum weight for the division. The Mitey Mite division allows the players who are one year older than the maximum age to weigh only 15 pounds less the maximum weight for the division. The age/weight matrix is available under the Documents tab.

Weight requirements for Pop Warner are safety features unique to youth football in this area. There is a pre-season weigh-in of every player conducted by volunteers from the Mecklenburg Optimist Club, and then players are weighed before each game. Players are allowed to grow one pound each week after the first game.

Pop Warner is growing in Mecklenburg County. In 1994 Pop Warner had 23 teams. This year they are planning on over 150 teams, representing associations from all over Mecklenburg county and beyond. With an average of 28 players per team, over 4,300 children will participate in football this year and over 600 children will participate in cheerleading.

Certification is an important part of the process. Certification is when the league volunteers check paperwork on every child and weigh every child to be sure that they are eligible to play in a particular age and weight division. Every birth certificate, doctor's physical, parent consent and report card is checked.

Scholastics are important to Pop Warner. The philosophy of Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. is that athletics and academics go hand in hand. This is why players must show scholastic eligibility to play, and why teams are are limited in their practice time. Mitey Mites can only practice twice per week after Labor Day, and the other divisions can only practice three times per week, with practices limited to two hours (exclusive of breaks).

There are National and Local Rules which govern the League. Special rules exist for the Mitey Mite division such as no blitzing, no rushing kicks and allowing a coach on the field to assist players during a game. Coaches in all divisions must comply with a National Code of Conduct and have received instruction locally on other guidelines to make the experience positive for the players.

The playing schedule for the season runs from the first Saturday after Labor Day through the first Saturday in November. The actual game schedule cannot be put together until all teams are certified and it is known exactly how many teams have qualified with the minimum number of eligible players required under the rules. The playing schedule will be developed over the Labor Day weekend and distributed shortly thereafter.

Parent participation is an important part of the success of our league! Each team will need a team representative. This person helps coordinate paperwork for certification plus provides information to the parents.

Must play rules exist to maximize play time of each player. Players on teams of 16-25 players will play at least 10 plays per game, players on teams with less than 26-30 players will play at least 8 plays per game, and players on teams of 31-35 players will play at least 6 plays per game; also in the first half a player can play only offense or defense. A play is defined as a play from scrimmage on which no penalty occurs, and does not include kicks, punts or extra points. To make this rule work, parent volunteers (two from each team in each game) are needed to record plays on the must play form.

Sportsmanship of the players, coaches, and parents is mandatory.

Please contact Matthew Baker, MARA Football Commissioner, at  or Kurt Hoffer, MARA Athletic Director, at  if you have any questions.

 

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by posted 04/10/2013
 
Summer Baseball Camps!

For Players of All Skill Levels Ages 5-12
June 17-21 & 24-28
July 8-12 & 22-26
And August 5-9

Total Cost $190.00
9AM – 2PM Each Day
Includes:  Instruction, Camp T-shirt
And camper evaluation

Professional/MLB Group Leaders, High School Coaches & Collegiate Players together provide your child with the most enjoyable camp experience

All Camps held @ MARA in Matthews, NC
1200 South Trade St @ Arthur Goodman Park

Teaching Baseball & Softball is our Business!!
Grand Slam USA

10715 Independence Pointe Parkway, Matthews, NC, 28105
Call us today 704-847-5333 or register online: @

www.grandslamusa.org
Please direct any questions to Granslam as they are running the camps not Mara.
 
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by posted 03/12/2013
 
Dear MARA Families,
 
In an ongoing effort to make the Matthews Athletic & Recreation Association the finest youth sports organization in the area, we are making several improvements and additions to our park security. These features will protect the organizations assets as well as providing an extra level of safety to you and your children.
First and foremost, many of you may have already noticed the security gates at the park entrance at the stoplight. These gates are currently locked open to allow everyone time to adjust to seeing them. We will begin utilizing these gates on a daily basis on Friday, October 21, 2011. The Board of Directors has adopted Park Hours that will be enforced. The new park hours are as follows:

            Monday – Friday: Park opens at 3:00 pm and closes at 10:00 pm
            Saturday: Park opens at 7:00 am and closes at 10:00 pm
            Sunday: Park opens at 10:00 am and closes at 8:00 pm
There will be numerous signs posted around the park grounds stating the new hours as well as being posted on the MARA website.
During the Winter months (Mid-November through Mid-February) the gates will remain closed on most days as our primary field sports, baseball, softball and football; are off season. During summer months, the weekday hours will adjust to an 8:00 am opening to allow for All Star team practices and to accommodate the numerous summer camps held at MARA.
The upper parking lot will not be gated and will be open year round for MARA members to park and utilize the park grounds during operating hours when the main gates are locked during the Winter.
Our second measure of security is the installation of video surveillance cameras for the park grounds and property. We have a number of cameras that are being installed and will record 24 hours a day to provide video evidence for vandalism, theft and other crimes.
Thank you for being a part of this wonderful organization and supporting the new security enhancements to the park!
 
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by posted 03/27/2012
 
Mara Members:

We received an email from Chief Rob Hunter of the Matthews Police Department asking me to communicate to parents & coaches that when parking in the front parking lot (closest to South Trade Street), vehicles SHOULD NOT PARK on the Sidewalk.  There are many citizens who use that sidewalk, including parents pushing strollers, and over the past few weeks, he has observed several vehicles either pulling (straight in parking) to far on to the sidewalk and some (parking parallel) parking half on the side walk and half on the gravel.

He knows it is Mara's desire to be 'good neighbors', and he does not want to have to issue $50 parking fines, but his officers will have to to this if violations continue.

Kathy Duncan
Mara Administrative Assistant





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by posted 03/22/2012
 

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by webmaster posted 03/06/2012
 
Lost and Found is Located at Main Concessions. Check There Before You Call. They are open from 6:00PM to 8:30pm During the Week and from 9AM to 3pm on Saturday During the Spring and Fall Season. 704-847-0177
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by posted 09/01/2011
 

MARA Members:

I hope everyone is enjoying the season!

Thank you for your patience and understanding regarding our crowded parking lot during the busy fall season. We are hoping to have 40 additional parking spaces on the MARA complex in early 2012 or sooner.

The Mathews Police Department has notified us that anyone parking in the Chesney Glen Subdivision must do so in a fashion that does not impede traffic or visibility into and out of the neighborhood. In addition, anyone parking in front of a residence must stay on the road and not in a yard without blocking access into a driveway.

Any improper parking issue within the Chesney Glen Subdivision can result in a citation and/or towing of a vehicle(s).  

 
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by Webmaster posted 12/26/2010
 

MARA Park Rules
For Your Saftey  And The Safety Of Others
Park Speed Limit is 15MPH


 

NO     Dogs Allowed In the Park
NO     Inappropriate  Use OF Language
NO     Handguns Or Weapons Of Any Kind
NO     Drugs Allowed In the Park
NO     Alcoholic Beverages
NO     Tobacco Use Of Any Kind
NO     Bicycles
NO     Motorized Bikes, Go Carts, ATV'S OR Scooters
NO     Skateboards, Roller blades, or Roller Skates
NO     RC/ Airplanes, Model Rockets   
NO     Fireworks
NO     Kicking or Batting Balls Into Fences
NO     Climbing Fences Or Trees
NO     Climbing On Buildings Or Roofs
NO     Parking on Sidewalks (Matthews Police will ticket 
          YOU!)

Mara Is A Privately Owned And Operated Complex. It Is Not A Public Park. Use of Fields Are For Association Members Only.  Unauthorized Use Of This Property Will Be Viewed As Trespassing.  Violators Will Be Prosecuted For Any Of The Above.      
   

 

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by posted 09/05/2008
 

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