A Wellington product from the St George club, Mara has a background in the halves but was converted into a dangerous dummy half runner after joining the Vodafone Junior Warriors ahead of their debut in the new National Youth Competition in 2008. He was used 17 times (scoring four tries) as the club fell just seconds short of making the inaugural NYC grand final. He added another 22 appearances in his second and final NYC season, scoring seven tries. Mara also captained the side at times and earned an upgraded contract to join the club's fulltime NRL squad. Troubled by injury during the course of the 2010 season but established himself at hooker for the Auckland Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup. When Ian Henderson was injured, Mara's good form earned him NRL debut as Vodafone Warrior No 162 against Manly in Round 24. Outstanding off the bench in first game and retained next two games before ankle injury ruled him out of NRL finals contention. After performing well in 2011 NRL trials, he started the season with the Vulcans again, earning a first-grade call-up for the sixth-round clash against Manly when he was used from the bench. Played five matches straight to boost his tally to eight before reappearing two more times in 2011. Re-signed with the club for two more seasons in 2011. Educated at St Patrick's College (Wellington).