For a long time, the 12U and 15U national competition was called Interligues. Now, it is named Little League, adapting to international standards of Little League competitions worldwide.
Held in La Guerche de Bretagne at the end of August, the 12U and 15U teams from France, selected from their league teams, were able to face off.
In this competition, so far, one league has stood out: the Île-de-France League, which achieved the double in 2022, after previously doing so in 2018.
Interview with Frédéric Kerbeche, President of the Île-de-France League
BTVF: How did this tournament go for you this year?
We are very proud of this double victory. It is the result of our preparatory work with the departmental committees, with the club coaches, the committees, and the league. Each committee has its departmental team, and we therefore have a pool of 84 players per level. In June, we make the selection.
BTVF: Do you work all year for this level of play?
Yes, we work with the University of Saclay or the CDFAS of Bonne in the 91 and 95 departments. We bring together players to make them play together and create team units. The coaches meet and work together on projections for the interligues.
BTVF: The tournament was in La Guerche, Brittany. How did the logistics go?
A very warm welcome, the fields are superb, the catering excellent. It was a bit more complicated for accommodation due to costs; we couldn’t, as in Pineuilh, arrive three days earlier for a preparation camp. Kudos to the organizers of La Guerche! On our side, we are working on the idea of one day hosting this competition in Île-de-France, near Évry and Sénart. In three years, we hope to achieve it.
BTVF: This year, there was a particularity: part of the 15U team went to Mexico for the World Cup?
For all the leagues, it was, on the contrary, a real opportunity to select other reserve players. It turned out to be a very good thing.
BTVF: What to remember from this tournament?
First, the pride of having won the double. Then, we noted with the organizers and the other leagues, a real progress in the values and fair play of the young players. This was highlighted by the officials. For us in Île-de-France, we also noticed a benevolent look from the provincial leagues, and I find that fantastic because we are moving together in the same direction.
Interview by Didier Cannioux
Photo credits: Glenn Gervot
