Youth Sports in South Charlotte - Matthews Athletic and Recreation Association (MARA)

Youth Sports in South Charlotte - Matthews Athletic and Recreation Association (MARA)

Youth sports are alive in well in South Charlotte, and it doesn't get much better than at the Matthews Athletic and Recreation Association (MARA), located in the heart of Matthews NC.  Since 1956, MARA has been offering a wide variety of sports opportunities for children, including baseball, softball, football, basketball, lacrosse, and cheerleading.  

Just driving by the MARA athletic fields fills me with nostalgia, as all of my children participated in sports there.  They've all grown and moved on, but we have MANY fond memories of spring, summer and fall days spent at the Matthews Athletic and Recreation Association.  My son Ben played baseball there, from T-ball through Babe Ruth baseball, and my son Patrick played football there in the Pop Warner League.  Both boys ended up being starters in their sports at Providence High School, so the fundamentals and skills they gained at MARA served them well!  Many former MARA athletes have gone on to play at the collegiate and professional level.  Daniel Bard, a MARA protege, is now a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox!

In my experience as a parent, I found that the Matthews Athletic and Recreation Association provided a great atmosphere for our youth to gain valuable skills, both on the field and off.  Obviously, the kids become better at their chosen sport(s) through participation in league play.  But even more importantly, they learn valuable life-long lessons:  perseverance, humility, empathy, patience, cooperation, and responsibility, to name just a few.  I know my boys have grown to be better young men through their participation in sports at MARA.

An awesome new program at MARA is the Bambino Buddy Ball program, a program dedicated to providing sports opportunities for special needs children.  Approved in 2008, the Bambino Buddy Ball program offers baseball/softball activities for children with mental or physical disabilities, aged 5 to 18.  These children are paired with volunteer youth from the MARA Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth baseball and softball leagues who have been instructed in how to work with children with disabilities.  This awesome program is another way that the Matthews community gives back.

Click here for more information on the Matthews Athletic and Recreation Association (MARA).

If you are thinking about moving to South Charlotte and would like to know more about the area, please give me a call.  I live and work in South Charlotte, and would love to help you find the perfect home and neighborhood.

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