The harsh reality of being an overseas coach is a life of constant uncertainty, sacrifice, and the ever-present pressure to succeed in foreign lands.
Jorge Souza De Brito, a native of Curitiba, Brazil, knows this all too well.
For over two decades, the 57-year-old, who once made a living out of being a volleyball athlete, has travelled the world as a coach. He has navigated the challenges of ensuring job stability in unfamiliar places when he ventured in Turkey, Japan, and South Korea.
[Related: Alas: Jorge Souza de Brito stays as women's national team coach until 2025, says PNVF]
De Brito then found his way to the Philippines in 2021 under the International Volleyball Federation’s (FIVB) development project platform. Since then, he has not left the country, serving as the head coach of the women’s national volleyball team.
Despite the demands of his career, De Brito’s heart has always been with his family.
He is married to Raquele Lenartowicz, a former professional volleyball player. Together, they have three beautiful children — Julia, Anna Muiza, and Helena. He also has a daughter from a previous marriage, Marina.
“For me, it’s like having your heart outside your chest. It’s amazing because, you know — when you’re not a father, you don’t know exactly what it means. You can imagine, but you don’t know. It’s a part of you just walking around, growing,” De Brito bared.
“It’s amazing, because they want your protection. But suddenly, they start to grow, they start to make their own steps. You start to be so proud of it, but also you’d be afraid because the world is not perfect, and it’s always dangerous.”
The decision to uproot his family and move to a new country has always been a challenge for De Brito. He knew that with every relocation came the daunting task of rebuilding their lives, facing new cultures, and coping with the uncertainties that his career entailed.
This reality became especially pronounced when he brought his loved ones to the Philippines. The initial years were especially tough as he encountered relentless criticism and scrutiny due to the national team's struggles in international tournaments.
These challenges not only affected De Brito but also cast a shadow over the lives of his family. They, too, felt the weight of public opinion, living in a country where their father's success, or lack of it, was often under the microscope.
Through it all, the former Akari Chargers head tactician remained determined to prove his worth, finding solace and strength in his family.
His perseverance paid off in 2024 when he steered the rebranded Alas Pilipinas to a historic bronze medal in the AVC Challenge Cup.
[Related: Alas Pilipinas repeat over Australia to net historic bronze medal in AVC Challenge Cup]
This achievement was not just a professional triumph for De Brito, but also a deeply personal one.
Standing on the podium, with his family watching on the stands, he felt an overwhelming sense of pride and vindication. He had made history with the Philippines, and he had done it in front of the people who mattered most to him.
“It’s an amazing journey being a dad. It’s something that will make us alive every single day,” De Brito gushed.
As a father, De Brito's deepest wish is for his beloved daughters to lead lives brimming with passion and love.
“I like to say that they are,” he said, when asked if his daughters are daddy’s girls.
“No matter where I’ll be or if I left, I hope that they can be good, they can be honest, they can find a way, and try to be kind and find happiness in everything they do. They’ll make me happy if they just keep on doing this. Spreading love.”
Needless to say, De Brito continues to embrace fatherhood, a role that brings immense joy and unending worry.
“Of course, you never sleep, a hundred percent, because, you’ll always have to [think]: ‘What happened? What are they going to do in the future? What are they thinking about? What can I do to make things comfortable, not too much for them not to fight, but enough to not be afraid of all the things they have to face in the future. It’s the best part of life,” he shared.
His journey as a well-travelled coach has truly been fraught with challenges, but De Brito has always found solace in his faith.
[Related: In Photos: Alas Pilipinas makes history with first AVC medal in 63 years]
“There’s a prayer I always do when there are some flights or I’ll be away. That if something happens, let God take care of them. Because, it’s hard. And the worst part is always there with the mom. So the mom has to — it’s the mom and dad. And I just ask for God to protect me to be back or protect them to be safe,” he said.
In celebration of Father’s Day, De Brito shares a heartfelt message to all the father figures out there.
“Of course, Happy Father’s Day. The first thing is, I’m a father, too. I know how hard it is. I know there’s a part that we always do, and that’s work a lot to provide them everything they need. But I want to share with you guys that all they need is our love,” he said.
“So, I wish you happiness and a lot of love, and use all the moments that you have to spend with them. Because more than everything you can give them, all they need is our time. So I wish you have a long time with them and enjoy this special moment with the kids. So, it’s so good because even if they grow, they’ll still be our kids. So, happy father’s day!”