REGISTRATION FOR FALL 2022 IS CLOSED.
EARLY REGISTRATION FOR FALL 2023 WILL OPEN ON MAY 1, 2023.

The Fall Cheer program is our primary cheer program for athletes ages 5 through 13 years old (age determined as of 7/31/2023). 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 May 1st through May 6th. Returning participants from the 2022 season who will not need a new uniform or bow will receive a $75.00 discount off the registration fee. Head Coaches and registered coaching staff positions will receive a discount when registering participants. Family/sibling discounts are available when registering multiple participants. Registrations placed after July 15th will be assessed a late fee. 
Payment Plans are available after May 6th:
$80.00 due at the time of registration.
$75.00 due on June 15th.
$75.00 due on July 1st.
Payments must be made in full after July 1st. 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.

AGE DIVISIONS
You will be asked to register your child in a division corresponding to their age. Age for the season is the age they are as of 7/31/23.

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/afternoons, beginning the end of August and going through early November. Game times are scheduled on a week-to-week basis, with younger squads typically in the morning and older squads in the early 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 in the beginning of each week as received from the Pop Warner Regional Association.

UNIFORM FEE
*Prices include new uniforms and season fees* Returning participants who will not need to replace their 2022 uniform will receive a discount off their registration fee. If you have questions about this, please contact [email protected] 
All participants will need white cheer shoes for the season. 
Uniform fitting dates: TBD in July.    

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 2022-2023 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 2022-2023 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 REQUIREMENTS
Teams are open to ages 5-13 - age for the season is determined as of 7/31/2023.

Pop Warner Age Brackets (age determined as of 7/31/2023)

• 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
  

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