A born leader

He has developed a deep passion for football over the years. He is particularly concerned about the development and plight of women’s football on the island. He has been inspired by the cries of his daughter and is determined to ensure that ‘lady ballers’, as he prefers to call them, are not marginalized. He has represented his island proudly at top international women’s football conferences.

Albert “Wang” Titre has transitioned from his days as a decent footballer to one of the leading voices for women’s football in Dominica presently. He echoes the sentiments of the FIFA that the future of football is women.

“I have a great passion for the sport of football. I started to play football at an early age. I represented my country at the under 16 and other youth levels,” he reminisced.

From an early age, leadership qualities and organizational skills were very evident so much so that at a tender age he was already bellowing tactical and technical instructions from the sidelines. He developed his love for coaching from very early in the game. According to him, he is a born leader.

“When I was just 16 years, I was already putting teams together, managing and coaching teams at the off-season leagues in Newtown and Kingshill. At the age of 17, I decided to seriously consider taking up coaching. As a result, I decided to volunteer my services as a coach at the Newtown Juvenile Football Academy. To me, that was one of the most important decisions that I have made. I have not regretted that decision that I made many years ago,” the former St. Mary’s Academy student and budding entrepreneur revealed.

Titre stated that his leaning towards women’s football was propelled by his daughter, who is also a national player.

“I got inspired and motivated to get involved with women’s football because of my daughter, Alijah Titre, who began at the Newtown Football Juvinelle Academy (NJFA) and went on to make several national teams. I would hear her cry about how women’s football is being neglected and that not much attention was being given to the few women footballers on the island.

“Having heard her cries and that of other women as well, I realized that I should do more for the sport. Right there and then I took a keen interest in women’s football and I decided that I was going to help the ladies,” he stated.

While he has had several success stories such as seeing modest growth over the years, he says that it has not always been smooth sailing.

“Women’s football is a real challenge. One has to deal with so many different situations. Unlike the men, the women species is very delicate and all care and attention must be taken to ensure that situations are handled correctly. Dealing with a situation in the wrong way can alienate these ladies and that is the last thing that you want to do as a coach since the pool is so small,” he carefully explained.

There is no doubt that women’s football has come a long way. However, Titre feels that a lot more can be achieved given the resources and technology available. However, all stakeholders must be ready to work for the common good.

“We need more activities for the women like one-day festivals that can ignite the flames within the women. It is quite obvious and glaring that women’s football needs more attention. The Dominica Football Association (DFA) must continue to organize school competitions in collaboration with the Sports Division and must work hand in hand and improve competitions at all levels.

“The principals of the various schools must be more vibrant in terms of supporting the movement at their school. That support can go a very long way because since it will demonstrate that there are people behind them,” he remarked.

Titre, who presently carries the title as national senior women’s team coach, opines that the high cost associated with women’s football is an inhibiting factor.

“It is very costly for clubs to manage women’s teams. Unlike the men to a lesser extent, one has to take into consideration the safety of the women. Many of the players are young and they would need special attention such as the provision of transportation after practices and matches.

“The DFA must develop a close relationship with the clubs and everybody must work together. Women’s football lack resources and that is where the DFA comes in. The DFA has resources. There are resources available and that must be pumped into the football. Also, the national teams must be more active. A series of friendly games can be organized to maintain their interest. Only when we do this, will we see the desired improvement. There is great potential in women’s football!” he concluded.

Albert Titre is an accomplished and well-established coach having successfully attained CONCACAF C license certification. In addition, he has completed and participated in many courses organized under the auspices of the DFA in collaboration with FIFA and CONCACAF.