REGISTRATION FOR FALL 2024 IS NOW OPEN.
LATE REGISTRATION FOR FALL 2024 WILL RUN FROM JULY 26th THROUGH AUGUST 15th.

The Fall Cheer program is our primary cheer program for athletes ages 5 through 16 years old (age determined as of 7/31/20xx). This program is great for athletes looking to try a faster pace cheer program for the first time or build onto their existing cheer experience. This program is more focused on game day materials and building strong basics in all aspects of the sport. Athletes will learn cheers for football games and a competitive routine that will be performed throughout the season. Teams will compete in local competitions through mid-late November, with the opportunity to compete in a national competition in December.

FALL SEASON PRICING
Early registration pricing offered from June 2nd through June 15th. Family/sibling discounts are available when registering multiple participants. Registrations placed after July 25th will be assessed a late fee. 
Payment Plans are available:
$100.00 due at the time of registration.
$100.00 due on June 30th.
$80.00 or remaining balance due on July 15th.
Payments must be made in full by July 20th to remain on the roster. The first $50.00 of deposits made are non-refundable in accordance with our Refund Policy. Please review this policy carefully. 

Refund Policy (effective June 29, 2022)

Matthews Athletic and Recreation Association (MARA) incurs various league, medical, security, uniform, insurance, and administrative fees which are not refundable to the organization.  Therefore, if you withdraw your player fifteen (15) days or more before the stated registration period closes for a sport/program, we will provide a refund of the total registration fee, LESS A $50 admin fee.  Otherwise, we do not provide any refunds for a player withdrawing from the program.

PRACTICES
TBD and will be based on our volunteer coaches availabilities. Expect 2-4 practice days per week. Coaches will communicate specific Team schedules/expectations after rosters are confirmed. 

GAMES
Games are held on Saturday mornings/afternoon and run weekly from the beginning of August through early November. Typically, the younger squads cheer during the morning games and older squads cheer in the afternoon. Game times are set on a week by week basis. We will not get a schedule of times for the season. Games times are communicated the first half of each week as received from the Pop Warner Regional Association.

UNIFORMS
Uniforms are newly designed for the 2024 Fall Cheer season. Same brand, same material as prior year. All participants will need cheer shoes for the season. 
Uniform fitting dates: July 11th and July 20th. Details provided upon registration. 

EXPERIENCE
No previous cheer experience is required! We love teaching the sport of cheer to all levels. We only ask that participants show up to every practice with a can-do attitude, bright smile, and LOUD voice!

GRADE REQUIREMENT
• All participants must meet a Pop Warner Scholastic Fitness Requirement of a 2.0/70% grade average, based on their 2023-2024 full year report card.*
• If your child is homeschooled, please let us know upon registering and we will provide you a home school eligibility form.
*If your child's 2023-2024 grades do not meet the 2.0/70% grade average requirement, please contact us for further info on what will be needed in order for them to participate.

AGE DIVISIONS/REQUIREMENTS
You will be asked to register your child in a division corresponding to their age. Teams are open to ages 5-16. Age for the 2024 season is determined as of 7/31/2024.

Pop Warner Age Brackets (as of 7/31)

• Tiny Mites: 5, 6, 7 
• Mighty Mites: 7, 8, 9
• Jr Pee Wee: 8, 9, 10, 11
• Pee Wee: 9, 10, 11, 12
• Jr Varsity: 10,11,12,13
• Varsity: 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

MARA 2024 Age Divisions (as of 7/31)

• Tiny Mites: 5, 6, 7 
• Mighty Mites: 7, 8, 9
  
• Pee Wee: 9, 10, 11, 12
  
• Varsity: 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

COMPETITIONS
All squads will perform in LOCAL competitions through mid-late November. The annual Pop Warner local competition will be held mid-late October. Most divisions will have the opportunity to advance to the Regional Competition in November. Details TBA.

ASSESSMENTS
We do not hold any tryouts or assessments. Participants are placed on squads corresponding to the Pop Warner age brackets. We do our best to place all participants on age/skill appropriate teams. 

PRACTICE LOCATION
MARA - Arthur Goodman Memorial Park - 1200 S Trade St, Matthews NC 28105
In the event of inclement weather or field unavailability, there will be some off-site practices at a local school/gym.

COACHES/TEAM MANAGERS/SUPERVISORS
We are always looking for more coaches/volunteers. No experience? No problem! Often times we have past MARA/high school cheerleaders help teach cheers/routines, but we are always looking for an adult supervisor to assist at practices and games and be a point of contact for the squad's parents. If you or someone you know are interested in helping coach, please email us at [email protected]. 

FUNDRAISING
We kindly ask all participants to assist in fundraising efforts throughout the season. Funds raised help us keep our competition costs low.

QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] 

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook at MARA Colts Cheer & Dance