Today we’d like to introduce you to Douglas Goldfein.
Hi Douglas, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Phoenix Sports started in 2020 as an idea created while teaching kindergarten in San Jose and coaching part-time for Skyhawks (national franchise) in San Jose. I’d been teaching and coaching for over 15 years—across classrooms, soccer fields, and even beaches. I’d worked for big national sports programs and saw first-hand how families struggled with rigid schedules, make-up policies, extra fees and to be frank, inadequate coaching.
When I moved to Carlsbad in October 2020, I decided to build something different: a youth sports program that’s flexible, family-friendly, and deeply rooted in the local community. Today, Phoenix Sports serves kids 18 months to 9 years old with soccer, basketball, field hockey, nature enrichment, and summer camps across Carlsbad, Oceanside, and Encinitas.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s definitely not been smooth—but I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything. One of the biggest challenges has been carving out space in communities where national franchises have had a 15- to 20-year head start.
Competing with their marketing budgets and brand recognition is tough when you’re a small business. Add to that the realities of starting up during a pandemic, with budget constraints and limited resources compared to corporate models. But those challenges pushed us to innovate—to listen more closely to families, adapt faster, and offer a level of personal service the big guys can’t match.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Phoenix Sports, we teach life through play. We specialize in youth sports and enrichment for kids 18 months to 9 years old—soccer, basketball, multi-sport programs, and outdoor nature-based learning.
Families know us for our flexibility, high-quality coaching, and incredible parent communication. We’re proud to be a small, locally owned business—not a franchise. That means no cookie-cutter plans or corporate red tape.
We offer flexible scheduling, rollovers, and make-ups with zero extra fees because we know family life isn’t one-size-fits-all. What sets us apart is how we treat every child and parent like part of our team—not just a number on a roster.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Without question, the parents in this community deserve the credit. From day one, they’ve stepped in—not just as clients but as partners. They’ve volunteered to assist in coaching, shared our programs with friends, and made sure Phoenix Sports became a name people recognize and trust. Their support and advocacy are what built this business.
Pricing:
- Weekly Soccer $30 – $252
- Enrichment $299 – $619
- Birthdays $285 – $325
- Summer Camps $65 – $379
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gophoenixsports.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gophoenixsports/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gophoenixsports
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gophoenixsports
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/phoenix-sports-carlsbad-2?osq=phoenix+sports
