PUMAS
Positive. United. Motivated. Attitude. Service
Pumas is the competitive program of the Kittitas Valley Junior Soccer Association (KVJSA). Players are selected through a tryout process to an age appropriate team and coached by trained parent coaches.
The mission of the Pumas program is to develop each of our players to his or her potential in a competitive soccer environment. It is our goal to provide high level training, competition and player development for kids in the communities we serve. We offer quality coaching in a positive environment that promotes sportsmanship, age appropriate skill development, and character development where the team is a positive reflection of themselves, their families, and the community in which they live.
Age Group Changes for the 2026-2027 Season and Beyond:
U8: Players born between 8/1/18 - 7/31/19 (2nd graders)
U9: Players born between 8/1/17 - 7/31/18 (3rd graders)
U10: Players born between 8/1/16 - 7/31/17 (4th graders)
U11: Players born between 8/1/15 - 7/31/16 (5th graders)
U12: Players born between 8/1/14 - 7/31/15 (6th graders)
U13: Players born between 8/1/13 - 7/31/14 (7th graders)
U14: Players born between 8/1/12 - 7/31/13 (8th graders)
U15: Players born between 8/1/11 - 7/31/12 (9th graders)
U16: Players born between 8/1/10 - 7/31/11 (10th graders)
U17: Players born between 8/1/09 - 7/31/10 (11th graders)
U18/19: Players born between 8/1/07 - 7/31/09 (12th graders)
US Youth Soccer, AYSO, and US Club Soccer have collectively decided to move to an age group player formation cycle that runs from August 1 to July 31. Starting with the 2026/27 season, youth teams will shift from the traditional calendar year age groups to a seasonal year format, better aligning players with their school-grade peers and creating a more consistent developmental experience. This will reduce “trapped players” those separated from grade-level peers.
Teams who wish to stay intact do not have the option of moving up a year so they can stay together. If we did this, there would be gaps in between teams and displaced players who wouldn’t have a team to play for. The wonderful part about being a growing and united club is that there will always be opportunities for players to play up as a guest player when teams need more players by using the Club Player Pass. All clubs will be adhering to the new age groups because it's a national level change.
Can my child play up?
There are three situations where a player may be placed in an older age group and allowed to play with an older grade. These exceptions are intentional and designed to support player development, continuity and long term goals.
Players who are top contributors/starting players who desire/need the challenge of playing up.
Players who are already on a team with their same grade school classmates. In some cases the new guidelines would place a player into a younger age group even though they are already in an older school grade and have been training and competing with that peer group. For these players, remaining with their classmates can support confidence, social comfort and consistency. This exception helps avoid unnecessary disruption for players who are already well established within an older cohort.
If there are not enough players to form a team within your player’s age group, your player may play up.
These decisions will be made thoughtfully in consultation with the player and family, guided by the coaches and the Pumas Director of Coaching, Erin Redwine. No players will be required to play with an older grade, top players may choose to play in their newly defined age group if that is the best fit for them. These conversations and considerations will most likely be starting soon as we lead up to Pumas tryouts in May. All Pumas teams will be embracing this change.
Sunday Indoor
Pumas are training on Sundays at Thorp School gym through 3/29/26. Boys and girls born in 2019 - 2012 are invited. Email Erin Redwine for more information
Pumas Tryouts
Cle Elum Sunday, May 26th
Ellensburg Sunday May 3rd - Thursday May 7th
More details and registration coming soon
Saturday, May 30th
USSF Grassroots Coaching Course @ Rotary Park, Ellensburg. Pumas & Rec coaches welcome. Registration details coming soon.
June 6-7 & 27-28
USSF D License Course @ SOZO in Yakima. Registration details coming soon.
Pumas Cup 2026 is set for June 26-28 at Rotary in Ellensburg. More details and registration link coming soon.
Questions about Pumas?
Interested in coaching?
Reach out to our Director of Coaching, Erin Redwine, below!