After years of representing Brazil in the most prestigious global volleyball tournaments and undergoing rigorous training, former national team stars Sheilla Castro and André Heller are making their comeback. However, this time, they return not as players but as instrumental members of the coaching staff, following an announcement by the Brazilian Volleyball Confederation (CBV).
Both athletes have had illustrious careers. Sheilla, a double Olympic champion from the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 games, and André Heller, who secured his gold in Athens 2004, have been cornerstones of the Brazilian national team. Post their on-court careers, they immersed themselves in studies and specialization courses. Today, with the combined strength of their experiences and newfound knowledge, they serve Brazilian volleyball once again.
Jorge Bichara, the technical director of the CBV, emphasized their invaluable contributions, stating, “Sheilla and André Heller are pillars in Brazilian sports with a winning mindset. Their roles will encompass integrating with athletes, aiding in the transition of emerging talents to the senior teams, and ensuring the holistic development of players. Having experienced the weight of responsibility that comes with wearing the Brazil jersey, they will act as intermediates, aligning players with the technical committees.”
During team training periods, the duo will supervise activities at the Saquarema Training Center and will occasionally accompany the teams during travels. Sheilla, equipped with a level 2 qualification in sports coaching from the CBV coaching course, highlighted her role: “My aim is to bridge the gap between the technical teams and the athletes. Sharing my experiences and the pride of representing Brazil will hopefully smoothen the process amidst challenges.”
André Heller, having graduated in Entrepreneurship and specialized in Brain-Based Coaching and Emotional Intelligence, plans to interlink player behavior with day-to-day demands. Reflecting on his new role, Heller expressed, “Reconnecting with the men’s team and contributing from a different perspective feels incredibly fulfilling.”
