Meet the team: the characters of The Rugby Playbook

Every book in The Rugby Playbook happens in one rugby world, with two clubs: Tidewater and Ironsand Bay.

Why characters?

Rugby has a lot of new words, rules and positions. A friendly face makes them easier to follow. Our readers learn alongside a player their own age, see the same faces from book to book, and pick up the skills one clear step at a time.

Tidewater

• Jake and Zara (ages 3–6, First Steps): Jake learns by doing, and readers copy his simple moves. Zara is his friend and passing partner.
• Mia and Leo (ages 7–12, Game Smarts): Mia shows each skill step by step. Leo asks the questions readers would ask.
• Riley and Kai (ages 12+, Next Level): Riley reads the game and makes smart decisions. Kai keeps the team connected.
• Coach Dan coaches Tidewater. He keeps everyone safe and loves a good question.

Ironsand Bay

Ollie, Priya, Tomás and Freya play for the other club, coached by Coach Ana. In our books they are opponents on the field and friends before and after. As Mia says in our free starter book: "We try our hardest in the game, and we're friends before and after."

Meet all the characters