The Champion - Yankee Soldier

The champion doesn’t have such a strong storyline. This is much more a story of character than incident, which is why I think it will appeal to older children.

– Maurice Gee in The Listener, 7 October 1989, page 29

I can’t imagine growing up without those three things — mud, mangroves, warm brown tidal water.

– Rex in The Champion

My one worry is that it’s a bitter sweet story and the bitter is quite strong. I feel it would have been better placed in a late-night time slot. I think it would be good for parents to sit with their younger children, especially over the last couple of episodes.

– Maurice Gee in The Listener, 7 October 1989