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Matthews Athletic & Recreation Association

Matthews Athletic & Recreation Association

MARA Colts Tackle Football HQ
MARA Colts Football Logo

This is real football. Structured. Competitive. Development-focused. Everything you need for the season is right here.

Register Now Season Info
Registration Insurance Available
Things happen — injuries, schedule conflicts, and unexpected situations can impact a season.  During registration, you will have the option to purchase Registration Insurance to help protect your fees.

MARA has a no refund policy.  This is the only protection available for registration fees.

Season Snapshot

  • Registration opens April 1
  • Practice starts July 15
  • Games begin in August — August 22 or August 29
  • Games are played on Labor Day Weekend
  • Playoffs run into November

What You Need to Know

  • Paperwork must be complete before practice
  • Equipment deposit required
  • Mouthguard required — no exceptions
  • Practice attendance matters
  • Registration insurance is available — no refunds without it

Why MARA Colts

MARA Colts Football is part of Pop Warner Football, with a focus on development, safety, structure, and accountability. This is a program built to teach the game the right way and prepare players for real competition.

Divisions

Division Ages
8U 7–8
9U 7–9
10U 8–10
11U 9–11
12U 10–12

Featured Camp

Brian Hales Champions Camp

Train with a state champion coach.  Position work, fundamentals, football IQ.

June 18–20 | Ages 7–13 | $100

View Camps

Safety First

Coaches are trained. Volunteers are background checked.  We follow USA Football standards for safety and proper technique.

Football Registration Listing

2026 Tackle Football

MARA is one of 15 associations participating in the Pop Warner Little Panthers League in the greater Charlotte area.  Practice begins July 15, 2026 and games begin in late August or early September. 
Tackle Football is for players aged 7 - 12. Player age is based on their age as of July 14th of the current year. The cost of registration is $390 and includes equipment (helmet/shoulder pads), practice jersey, and personalized game uniform. All other equipment (e.g., mouth guards, cleats) are not included and will need to be purchased separately.

There are (currently) six (6) age divisions of play (we may add additional teams in other age divisions depending on registration numbers) :

  • 8U is for 7-8 no weight restrictions

  • 9U is for ages 7-8-9 - no weight restrictions (all 7-year-olds will be moved to 8U

  • 10U is for ages 8-9-10 - no weight restrictions

  • 11U is for ages 9-10-11 - no weight restrictions

  • 12U is for ages 10-11-12 - no weight restrictions


Refund Policy: 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, 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

Football U8

Registration closes on 07/31/2026 at 12:00 AM
Season Dates: 07/15/2026 to 11/15/2026
Show Details
$390.00

Football U9

Registration closes on 07/31/2026 at 12:00 AM
Season Dates: 07/15/2026 to 11/15/2026
Show Details
$390.00

Football U10

Registration closes on 07/31/2026 at 12:00 AM
Season Dates: 07/15/2026 to 11/15/2026
Show Details
$390.00

Football U11

Registration closes on 07/31/2026 at 12:00 AM
Season Dates: 07/15/2026 to 11/15/2026
Show Details
$390.00

Football U12

Registration closes on 07/31/2026 at 12:00 AM
Season Dates: 07/15/2026 to 11/15/2026
Show Details
$390.00

Contact

Matthews Athletic & Recreation Association
PO Box 1023 
Matthews, North Carolina 28106

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

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