Justin Farley accepted a role as the Varsity coach for the boys’ program at Desert Mountain during the spring of 2025. Justin graduated from Desert Mountain in 2015 where he won honors as an all-state athlete and all-academic athlete. He went on to play at Aurora University. For club soccer, Justin played for Blackhawks throughout his club career. Justin transferred to Grand Canyon University and decided to shift his focus to be on coaching rather than playing. He completed with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management and went on to complete his MBA at GCU as well.
For his coaching career, Justin has been a coach with Phoenix Rising for the past eight years. He has coached a team for boys and girls in each playing format (4v4, 7v7, 9v9, and 11v11). Currently he coaches the 2011 Boys NL Premier team and 2014 Boys Pre-Academy. He is also the Junior Academy and Academy Director at Phoenix Rising and has been doing this for two years now. For coaching licenses, he currently holds a U.S. Soccer “D” License and a Welsh C Certificate.
Grayson Chester brings over 20 years of playing experience and more than five years of coaching expertise to the game. A lifelong goalkeeper, Grayson developed through Washington Premier and later competed with the Seattle Sounders Academy before continuing at the semi-professional level in Arizona. His playing career includes being a four-year varsity starter in high school, a two-time First Team All-League selection, and a four-time Washington state champion.
As a coach, Grayson currently leads the 2017 Boys and 2009 Girls NL Premier teams with Phoenix. Rising, in addition to his specialized work as a goalkeeper coach. He previously coached both boys’ and girls’ programs at Auburn Mountainview High School, where he focused on developing well-rounded. athletes prepared for the next level.
Grayson holds a U.S. Soccer “D” License as well as Goalkeeping Diplomas I and II. He studied Computer Science at the University of Washington and earned a Business degree from the University of Phoenix. His coaching emphasizes technical growth, game intelligence, and the discipline required to excel both on and off the field.
Oli Hitch played two years at Feather River College, where he was the defensive MVP as a freshman and an academic All-American in his sophomore year. He transferred to FIU to play but was cut after multiple injuries. Oli played NPSL for one year and trained with the Ft Lauderdale Strikers before re-injuring his knee and retire from playing.
He started coaching in 2010 and coached on and off throughout college
(2012-2016). He started being a full-time coach out of college, coaching high school boys in Canada leading them to the regional finals in 2016. From there, Oli coached club in Canada for the 2017 season.
He returned to England and worked as a private coach for a year and was fortunate to work with Premier League academy players from teams such as Fulham, Crystal Palace and Watford. He also worked as a full-time pro playing in League One (English Third Tier) as well as a handful of young, semi-pro players.
In 2019, Oli took on the role as technical director at a club in British Columbia, Canada and led the club for 3.5 years as well as a second local club for 2 years to get them through COVID. Oli completed the UEFA C license in 2019 and recently got accepted onto the UEFA B and will start that course next March in England.
Oli currently coaches at Phoenix Rising where he coaches U12 boys and U15 girls. Also, Oli currently is an assistant coach with Scottsdale Community College Men and Women.
John grew up playing soccer in Arizona and Mexico. Playing for some of top clubs in Arizona, consistently competing at the top state and regional levels. After completing high school, John played briefly in Mexico including a trial at Atlas FC before deciding to pursue his education. John played at the collegiate level in Arizona, playing for the Fighting Artichokes of Scottsdale Community College, before moving to Hawaii to play for the HPU sharks.
John has been coaching the past seven years in Arizona and Hawaii, serving as Director of Coaching for the Honolulu Bulls Girls program.
At Phoenix Rising, John currently coaches the 2010 Girls NL Premier team. He currently holds a USSF C License.