Dear MARA Families,
As I write my last letter to you as your President, I hope everyone is warm and thoroughly enjoying their holiday season with family and friends! I cannot believe how fast the last two years has passed! In the last two years, MARA has done so much it is hard to encapsulate everything in one farewell letter so I will hit the highlights.
When I started my tenure, we were still navigating how to play sports at the height of COVID-19 when masks were still required and before the vaccine was available. Your patience and willingness to work with MARA and with one another resulted in achieving my goal of never having to close the Park due to a mass outbreak. It also confirmed MARA’s hard-earned and well-deserved reputation as a leader in youth sports where the best interests of our families and athletes comes before personal opinions and politics.
MARA also expanded multiple sports offerings and added new summer camps. Bambino Buddy-Ball restarted in the Fall of 2021 after several years of being closed. Bambino is the only fee-free special needs baseball program in the area and serves not only to provide a unique experience for our athletes living with special needs, but also volunteer leadership opportunities for students who are current or former MARA athletes within the program. Track expanded to offering fall and winter seasons and partnered with football for speed and agility camps last summer. Plans are in process now for the 2023 summer! MARA also added a Competitive 7v7 Football Program and created a brand-new Girls ONLY Flag Football program, which is the first of its kind for girls ages 7-12. These are only a few of the programs we added, expanded, and improved, and under the leadership of Hazel Williams, MARA’s incoming President, this upward trajectory will no doubt continue.
A few of the more practical improvements that make life at the park more efficient and user friendly were upgrading our website, adding Wi-Fi to the Park, updating the concession stand technology to enable debit/credit card payments, fence replacements, new and remodeled storage sheds and roofs, and replacing equipment to increase our efficiency in field maintenance and to stabilize costs in the long-term.
MARA also successfully partnered with the Town of Matthews to host Independence Day Celebration Fireworks! The program was successful in large part due to the hard work and dedication of our Park Manager, Ole Swenson; our Concession Manager (Snack Chick), Andrea Brock; and our Sponsorship Director, Monique Brooks (I will truly miss working with each one of these individuals who make the Park run smoothly). Mark your calendars now for June 30 for the 2023 Independence Day Celebration, which will include a band and 10 food trucks followed by the fireworks show!
Finally, MARA is like an old house and when you’re fixing something that is broken you realize at least three (3) more things must also be fixed. Which brings to me to my closing ask of all MARA families and supporters: The kickoff and implementation of the Capital Campaign to replace our antiquated and patchwork electrical system will begin this year. We need to raise approximately $2 Million Dollars (yes, you read this number correctly). The electrical system is beyond out of date, and we have been informed that MARA will essentially not be able to replace the light bulbs on our fields in less than five (5) years. Please consider MARA for a charitable donation and all your spare change found in the couch. MARA’s Capital Campaign Committee will be reaching out to all members this next year to ask for help in meeting our goal of keeping MARA the leader in community oriented locally based youth sports. It’s a real ask and an investment by all of you into all of our children playing sports now, and the children who will follow them.
Thank you for a wonderful term as your President and a special thank you to every board member, commissioner, coach, employee, parent, community volunteer and donor for your time, talent, and treasure that you have invested into an organization that brings so many people joy and satisfaction. You have been phenomenal to work with over the years! I look forward to my quasi-retirement as your Past President and working with Hazel Williams who is set to begin his 2-year term (aka 2nd full-time job) as President.
Laura Budd, President
Contact Information as of Jan. 1, 2023:
Phone: (704) 839-9459
Incoming President - Hazel Williams
Phone: (704) 651-3617
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IMPORTANT UPDATES TO OUR REGISTRATION SYSTEM |
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Mobile-First Registration provides a modern, user-friendly experience within registration, making it easier than ever for families to register from any device!
Single Sign-On (SSO)
What your members can expect from SSO:
· When members log in to their Sports Connect account on/after December 14th, they will be prompted to update their login credentials by entering the email address associated with their account.
· The email address entered will need to be verified via a quick verification email sent to their inbox.
· The email address entered will be used to log in moving forward. Usernames will no longer be used at login.
· Members will update the password for their account.
How Sports Connect is supporting your members through this change:
FAQ
I already have a Sports Connect account. Do I need to create a new account? Why can’t I log in with my current account credentials?
Yes. We are updating the username and password logic for accessing all Sports Connect club accounts. This change is intended to provide an improved user experience and account security for you.
Will I use my newly created/updated username and password, to access Sports Connect in Sports Connect for Associations?
No. This change does not impact the username and password logic on the Association Solution at this time. You will use your current Association credentials to complete tasks at the Association/NGB level.
Will I need to verify my email before logging into Sports Connect after this change is made?
Yes, email verification will be required to access your account.
So, I can’t complete an online registration until I have verified my email?
All users (new and existing) will need to verify their email address one time, via a Verify Email email. You will need to do this before you access your account to complete any registration, view account details, etc.
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MARA's 2023 Board of Directors:
Hazel Williams - President
Dana Bouque - Secretary
Deon Boswell - Treasurer
Chris Goodwin - Director
Rick Johnson - Director
Maureen Keith - Director
Ken McCool - Director
Charlie Thomson - Director
Justin Vandergrift - Director
SPECIAL THANKS to the following Directors that have generously volunteered their time and talent this past year:
Laura Budd - Past President
Shawn Alwran - Director
Matthews Bohlen - Director
James Dean - Director
Kurt Kennell - Director
Charles Stafford - Director
Mike Taylor - Director
Chang Zeng - Director
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS |
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MARA sponsors play a large role in helping us offer a quality, affordable, safe and fun sports program. Please consider supporting our family of sponsors listed below. Feel free to thank them for their support and mention you are a MARA member! |
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FESTIVAL OF TREES - NOVANT HEALTH |
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Congratulations to the Rieck Family - winner of the $100 off a 2023 spring sport registration fee! Thanks to all the families that submitted photographs. |
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Concessions is closed for the regular season but will be open for Girls Only Flag Football games.
Keep up with us on Instagram at mara_concessions.
Andrea Brock
Concessions Manager
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INTERESTED IN 2023 SPONSORSHIP? |
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Looking to Advertise Your Business at MARA with a Sponsorship for 2023?
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MARA Basketball is proudly sponsored by: |
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Contact Hazel Williams, MARA President, for more information about the MARA Basketball Program.
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Congratulations to the following fall flag football teams winning the championship in their division:
Pee Wee (PW) White - Coach Mann, sponsored by GoHealth Urgent Care
Junior Pee Wee (JPW) Blue - Coach McFadden, sponsored by GoHealth Urgent Care
Mitey Mite (MM) Black - Coach Mann, sponsored by Star Orthodontics
Tiny Mite (TM) Black - Coach Dickerson, sponsored by Land O'Frost
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Girls ONLY Flag Football League for Ages 7-12
MARA Colts Girls ONLY Flag Football is offering girls the opportunity to play one of the fastest growing sports in the nation. The games will start in January 2023 but registration will end when all the player slots are full. Register late and speculate. Don’t wait until it is too late!
The number of available spots in each division is limited. Players registering after the spots have been filled will be placed on the wait list. There are two (2) divisions of play. Check out the Girls Just Wanna Have Fun link for more information on the MARA Colts Girls ONLY Flag Football league.
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Contact Deon Boswell, Football Commissioner, for more information
about the MARA Colts Football Program.
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about the MARA Colts Cheerleading program.
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Registration will open soon. Look for an email when it goes live. Also, mark your calendar for assessments on Saturday, February 11, 2023. |
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about the MARA Softball program.
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Registration will open soon. Look for an email when it goes live. Also, mark your calendar for assessments on Saturday, February 18, 2023. |
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about the MARA Baseball program.
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about the MARA Challenge Softball program.
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about the MARA Baseball Challenge program.
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about the MARA Travel program.
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Registration is open! This program is for kids, ages 5-20, living with special needs. The 8-sessions will run on Sundays starting on March 5 and ending on April 30 (weather permitting).
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Looking for Buddies
Buddies suggested age is 13 years or older and a MARA member is preferred but not necessary. Adults are welcome to volunteer as well but youth will get first priority. You'll need to attend most all of the games and show up with enthusiasm.
Dates are March 5, 12, 19, 36 and April 2, 16, 23, 30 (off for Easter on April 9). Depending on the weather we may go into May. Sessions start at 2:00 pm and last about 60-75 minutes. We need our buddies to help with set-up and clean-up afterwards so it’s approximately a 2 hour commitment each Sunday.
No experience necessary – just a positive attitude, a big smile and know a little bit about baseball. We will provide mandatory training prior to the start of the program for all volunteers. Service hours can be earned through this program.
- Buddy Name
- Age
- Email Address (both buddy & parent)
- Parent Phone #
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Bambino Buddy-Ball is proudly sponsored by: |
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about the MARA Southside Storm Track program.
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MARA is always looking to partner with Boy Scouts needing a beneficiary for their Eagle Projects.
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Dick's Sporting Goods coupons can be used an unlimited number of times at ANY DICK's location - even out of state so please share with family & friends. |
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KEEP YOUR EYES SAFE WHEN ENJOYING CHAMPAGNE
Ready to pop open a bottle of your favorite champagne to close out the year? In the latest edition of our blog, find out:
- Fast facts about champagne
- Eye injuries from opening champagne
- How to open champagne safely
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Get a great vehicle and support a great cause now through January 3, 2023. When you take home a new Subaru, Subaru donates $250 to your choice of charities. Williams Subaru will also donate $50 in total to Humane Society Union County and to Charlotte Family Housing right here in our community for each sold or leased vehicles. Additionally, for every routine Subaru vehicle service visit during the Share the Love Event, Williams Subaru will donate $5 to our Hometown Charities. |
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SPONSOR NEWS & INFORMATION |
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Happy New Year!
We hope you were able to enjoy some great time with loved ones this Holiday season.
If you haven't had your seasonal check on your heating system now is the time to schedule it.
Charlotte Heating & Air
704-330-3177
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Save time. Shop Online.
Harris Teeter Express Lane online shopping makes it easy to shop at home anytime you like. Our personal shoppers will shop for you. For orders over $100.00, the service fee is FREE. For orders between $50.00 and $99.99, the service fee is $2.95. For orders between $25.00 and $49.99, the service fee is $4.95. Monthly Subscriptions are available for $16.95 and Yearly Subscriptions are available for $99.95.
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Providing excellent surgical patient care and customer service through cutting edge technology and education. We specialize in wisdom teeth, dental implants, and teeth in a day.
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M&M Hardwood Flooring
Your local one-stop shop for ALL of your flooring needs!
136-B East Charles St.
Matthews, NC
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FAMILY BINGO NIGHT at Matthews United Methodist
January 20, 2023, from 6:00 - 7:30 pm in the Gym. Registration opens in January at Kids.MatthewsUMC.org. Families will enjoy an Italian style dinner, followed by Bingo and a chance to win some awesome prizes, and finally we will enjoy a DELICIOUS surprise dessert! Cost to participate is $20 per household (all supplies & dinner provided). Nursery is available for kids 3 and under at an additional cost of $10 per family.
KIDS & FAMILY WORSHIP – Special Date January 22, 2023! Experience a high-energy worship experience created just for kids!
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Its Time for your Winter Tune-up from Team-Tock!
Please contact our office today to schedule your Seasonal Tune-up!
DON'T DELAY: get on our schedule NOW while all of the preferred days and hours are available!
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Briana Cicero-Johns State Farm has sponsored a MARA softball team every season since the business opened. Why? Because no one sponsored the girls teams back in the 1980s whenever she started playing ball!!
Briana started playing softball at age 6 in her local youth league and ended up earning a full scholarship to pitch at the Division I level. After lettering all 4 years, she coached at the Division II level for two years.
Playing softball was life changing for Briana and she is passionate about paying it forward here in Matthews.
Briana Cicero-Johns State Farm is passionate about protecting our families through insurance products and supporting our community to many ways, including continuous sponsorship of our MARA teams!
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We invite MARA Families to begin shopping with us at Johnson Volvo Cars Charlotte and to swing by our dealership for a test drive. You can schedule one online by contacting our sales team, or by calling us and swinging by our dealership on E Independence Blvd in Charlotte, NC. Visit us today!
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Weaver & Budd Law is here to provide your family and/or business with the quality legal services they may need. We understand that every case, including yours, is of the utmost importance. We pride ourselves on our personalized interaction with both current and prospective clients. We will listen to you, review the details of your legal needs, and use our experience and knowledge to provide a beneficial solution to whatever your issues may be.
Our work includes dealing with a variety of matters in civil litigation, helping entrepreneurs with their business startups, preparing trusts and estates, working with families to try and make beneficial solutions to a separation, helping drivers fight against traffic tickets, and assisting our clients in appellate courts.
Our attorneys have combined experience of over 40 years in practice. Laura Budd is currently on the board for ARAG, a national legal insurance company, and is also a certified mediator for the North Carolina Civil Superior Courts with Mediation Solutions, Inc.
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Please review our park rules before coming to the Park. This is for your safety and the safety of all members.
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NO dogs allowed in the park
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NO inappropriate use of language
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NO handguns or weapons of any kind
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NO drugs allowed in the park
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NO tobacco use of any kind (cigarettes, e-cigs, chewing tobacco, etc.)
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NO motorized bikes, go carts, ATV'S or scooters
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NO skateboards, hoverboards, roller blades, or roller skates
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NO RC/ airplanes or model rockets
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NO kicking or batting balls into fences
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NO climbing fences or trees
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NO climbing on buildings or roofs
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NO parking on sidewalks or access road that connects our park with the Courtney Neighborhood (Matthews Police WILL ticket you!)
Please DO NOT park in the Concession Managers spot, she has to unload supplies and needs to park near concessions.
Park at you own risk: MARA is not responsible for your vehicle or you property.
Handicapped Parking at MARA: Please be respectful of the Handicapped parking spaces. If you do not have a placard that allows you to park there, you risk receiving a fine and having your car towed.
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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IMPORTANT: LIGHTNING SAFETY SYSTEM
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The safety of the players, spectators, and officials is our main concern at MARA. No weather event is more dangerous than lightning. Because of this threat, we have installed the Thorguard Lightning Prediction System. This system can provide advance warning of a lightning hazard, allowing you the time to seek shelter. The system continually monitors and evaluates the electrostatic atmosphere and predicts the probability of a lightning hazard in the immediate area of our facility. You will be alerted by one loud horn blast that will last 15 seconds.
Upon hearing the horns, everyone should seek shelter immediately.
When this occurs, strobe lights located on the top of the horns
will activate and remain active while under a weather alert.
Every attempt should be made to seek shelter in a safe environment like a permanent building or car.
The Thorguard system will determine when conditions are safe to return. Three 5-second blasts will indicate that all is clear and the strobe lights will cease operation.
ALWAYS AVOID THE FOLLOWING:
· Athletic Fields & Bleacher
· Open Areas
· Field Lighting Poles
· Isolated Trees
· High Elevation
Questions regarding Weather and Field Conditions contact
Mara Weather Line: 704-845-6337 or your Commissioners.
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Follow mara_sports on Instagram to quickly and easily receive updates on weather and field conditions directly to your smart phone. Also, email communications will be sent out to the email address in the registered account. Please make sure your information is up-to-date!
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MARA
Arthur Goodman Park, 1200 S. Trade St. Matthews, NC 28105
PO Box 1023, Matthews, NC 28106
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