Little League is one of the most recognisable sporting brands in the world and represents the largest participation sport, played by over 2.6 million people across 75 countries.
The first Little League World Series was held in 1947 and within a few years of the first series Little League was being played in all US states as well as internationally. Today little league is the largest participation sport in the world and they follow the same goal as was set in 1939: “To give children of the world a game that provides fundamental principles they can use later in life to become good citizens”. This year Little League also celebrates its 75th anniversary.
Australian Little League was first launched in the year 2007 with Australia becoming one of over 75 countries that are involved in Little League. In Australia there are 477-chartered teams and over 4,500 participants between the ages of eleven and twelve across all States and Territories making it one of the fastest growing grassroots sport in Australia. Australia is the fourth largest Little League country in terms of participation, and 20 teams from Australia participate in the National Little League Championships each year.
This year marks the second year that Australia will automatically receive entry into the Little League World Series. The Australian team no longer has to qualify through the Asia Pacific Little League qualifying tournament. The team that will get to participate this year is the team that won the Little League National Championships in Australia in June.
The Perth Northern Metros will participate in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania beginning the 14th of August (15th of August AEST) until the 24th. The team is made up of 14 players and coached by Brian Armstrong, Grant Johnson and Kim Pelkonen.
This series will be broadcasted internationally on ESPN and seen by millions of people around the world. You can watch Australia’s first game versus the Caribbean on August 14 at 5:00pm (August 15 at 7:00am AEST) on ESPN Pacific Rim.
To follow the teams progress visit littleleague.org.au or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.