Mattapoisett Recreation is gearing up for another season of its (mostly) contact-free flag football program, and this year it’s moving across the border to the Mariner Soccer fields in Fairhaven.

“The program was expanding so much we were running out of room,” said Greta Fox, Mattapoisett Recreation director.

With 60 to 80 kids expected, the Old Hammondtown School fields were too small to accommodate the program, now entering its third season. The program certainly seems likely to continue growing as kids from Fairhaven to Wareham sign up.

Many are drawn to flag football as a safer alternative to the full contact leagues in the area.

“Some of us were reluctant to go all the way into full contact so we established the flag football league,” said Mike Moreau, though he said there is inevitable contact when playing the game.

Moreau, a Mattapoisett Recreation board member, coach and dad of two young players, said the program gives kids a good foundation in the game. At each Sunday practice, the kids will do a warm-up session, drills and then be divided “sandlot” style into teams for short 30 to 40 minute games.

The goal, said Moreau, is to build up enough players to form teams that can play against other communities, rather than just pickup games within the group.

“That’s what the kids want. They want to be able to show up and be on the same team with their same friends,” Moreau said.

Mattapoisett Recreation held preseason clinics on Aug. 30 and Sept. 2 to help get kids excited about the new year and to give them a taste of what’s to come.

At the first clinic Old Rochester Regional varsity football players and their coach came out to help. Fox said two of the team members volunteered to help with coaching throughout the season.

Both clinics saw more than 40 kids, ages 6 to 13, come out to show their speed, footwork and agility.

This year will be Eden Dupre’s first in the program. A Mattapoisett resident, she navigated the cones like a pro and caught a football thrown by one of the coaches.

“Me and my dad practice,” she said.

Eden was one of a few girls who signed up for the co-ed program this year. She wanted to participate “because it give me exercise, because it’s fun.”

Zach Fitzpatrick, also of Mattapoisett, echoed that sentiment.

“I just love the game, even if I’m not insanely talented.”

Kids will be able to play at a level that is comfortable for them, Moreau said. There will be three levels mostly divided by age but that allow more adept players to move up and timid players to get used to the game.

As for where the program goes, that’s up to the kids.

“Where the kids want to be will determine where we take it to this year,” said Moreau.

The last day to register is Sept. 8. Visit mattrec.net to sign up.