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Matthews Athletic & Recreation Association

Matthews Athletic & Recreation Association

a banner showing a MARA Colts Football Player and and footballs

Welcome to the Home of the Colts 

The MARA Colts Football Logo

 

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers:

 
  1. Why do you require background checks for anyone coming into regular contact with players?

  2. Why do I have to give a $175.00 equipment deposit check to MARA to get my equipment?

  3. Equipment Distribution

  4. My son’s helmet is hurting, what can I do?

  5. Where will our games be held?

  6. When is the first game and when will we see a game schedule?

  7. How do I find out about practices and games in inclement weather?

  8. Is there a designated smoking area?

  9. Can I bring my dog or pet to games?

  10.  How much time is involved?

  11. What time do teams practice?

  12. Are the coaches paid employees of Matthews Athletic and Recreation Association (MARA)?

  13. Do we have to buy all the equipment?

  14. What equipment do I need to buy?

  15. How much will my child play?

  16. What are the different football sizes?

  17. Are you ready? Register Now


We THANK YOU for your participation in the MARA Colts Football Program. We hope that you and your children will have a positive, safe, and fun experience with us. Please tell us how we are doing and how you feel we can makes things better.
 
 











 
 
  • Every coach, assistant, coordinator, football committee member and team parent is required to submit to a background check. We require the checks to ensure the safety of your child – we want to know who is having regular contact (defined as assisting with 2 or more practices, games or functions) with the players.  MARA Colts Football wants you to know that we have done everything in our power to ensure the safety of your children and their siblings when they participate in our activities.
 
 
 
 
  • Football equipment is very expensive. It’s important that all of our equipment is returned in good shape (normal wear and tear is okay, abuse is not okay) at the end of the season.
  • We require from every player’s family a $175.00 check, that will be held, not cashed, until the end of the season. This check is held in good faith to ensure that the player will return his equipment (helmet) at the designated date and time at the end of the season. Should a player not return any part of or all of his equipment,  the check will then be cashed to help offset the cost of purchasing replacement equipment for next year.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Players must be present to be fitted for equipment. We cannot issue equipment to a parent without a player present.
  • Our inventory system uses barcodes which means we track the equipment as it is checked in and out. Parents need to bring a deposit check for $175 made out to MARA to secure their equipment. If equipment is not returned at the end of the season, a charge will be placed on the family account and the deposit check cashed - you will be unable to register for future programs until the charge is cleared. Parents will sign for receipt of equipment, so please come in person with your player.
  • If you choose to purchase a helmet rather than using those issued by MARA, you will be asked to sign a liability waiver.
  • You will need to purchase cleats and a mouth guard. Families often choose to purchase an upgraded chin strap for the helmet.
 
 
 
 
 
 

  • Football helmets are uncomfortable and may take a while to break in. Helmets need to fit tightly to prevent the player from being hurt. DO NOT ALTER THE FOAM OR INTERIOR OF THE HELMET IN ANY WAY this will harm the integrity of the helmet and could put your child at risk of being injured, it can also be cause for suspension from a game for not having the proper protection.
  • If you have questions or concerns about any equipment see your coach or the MARA Athletic Director.
 
 
 
 
  • Our games will be located at different fields. Our home field is located at MARA.  Please see the map

 

 

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  • Game schedules are normally provided no later than ten (10) days before the 1st game.
 
 
 
 
 
  • MARA will use their web site www.maracoltsfootball.com plus the coaches to communicate any cancellations. If nothing is posted, plan to be on time unless you hear from a coach.  If storms develop late decisions will be made at the fields.
 
 
 
 
 
  • No, MARA does not allow smoking at any part of the park – MARA is private property and follows Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s School policy – no smoking, no alcohol, and no tobacco products, no drugs and no firearms are allowed on our property at any time (on duty Law Enforcement officials excluded re: firearms).
 
 
 
 
  • No, MARA does not allow pets. This is due to insurance issues in the event your pet would bite or hurt another child. Keep in mind, MARA is not a public park although we are often mistaken for one.
 
 
 
 

 

How much time is involved?

  • Flag football typically starts practice one (1) week before the 1st game and after the 1st game practice is restricted to one (1) hour before the start of your weekly game. 

 

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What time do teams practice?

Before the games start, coaches can practice as much as they would like during the week before the 1st game.  Typically, those practices are one (1) hour.  Once the season starts, practices are limited to one (1) hour before the start of your weekly game.

 

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NO. They are volunteers who donate their time to help our kids. This entire program, in fact, is run by volunteers who put in a great deal of personal time to make this program available to your children. Please keep this in mind…our staff has the same professional and personal responsibilities as you with the added responsibility that comes along with volunteering. If you are interested in committing some time to the program, please contact the football committee via [email protected]

 

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 Do we have to buy all the equipment?

NO. MARA provides helmets, personalized jersey, and game shorts.  Helmets must be returned at the end of the season.  The uniform is yours to keep. 

 

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What equipment do I need to buy?

Players will need a pair of football cleats and a mouth guard. Chin straps will be provided but our stock is limited to those that come with the helmets and these are often not as comfortable as others on the market.  

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How much will my child play?

All team members will play. Coaches will determine what positions each child is best suited for and as a result some will play more plays than others.  Like any sport, the more the player puts in, the more they will get out.

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What are the different football sizes?

Flag football uses the following size footballs for each division: Teeny Mite (TnM), Tiny Mite (TM), and Mitey Mite (MM) use ball size K2/Pee Wee.  Junior Pee Wee (JPW) uses the TDJ/Junior size, and Pee Wee (PW) uses the TDY/Youth size ball 

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We THANK YOU for your participation in the MARA Colts Football Program. We hope that you and your children will have a positive, safe, and fun experience with us. Please tell us how we are doing and how you feel we can makes things better.
 
 

 
 
Join The Stampede!

 

Contact

Matthews Athletic & Recreation Association
Kathy Duncan MARA Administrator, PO Box 1023
Matthews, North Carolina 28106

Phone: 704-847-0752
Email: [email protected]

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