🔗 Share this article

When the final whistle blew, relief washed over. With a massive turnout watching, she celebrated with fellow player Lucy Packer and only then realised that the her side had claimed the Rugby World Cup. The championship match versus Canada had been so “exhausting,” Kabeya found it difficult to accept they were international winners until she heard that sound. “It was incredible,” Kabeya says. “The full-time whistle was a lot of comfort, a moment to exhale and then: ‘Wow, we’ve accomplished it.’”

England’s victory capped a lengthy winning streak, a 33-game winning run, but the wider effect is what Kabeya cherishes deeply. In particular, stepping off the squad vehicle to be welcomed by massive crowds and the roar from the 81,885-strong Twickenham crowd after the anthems.

“I can’t even explain it,” the young forward says. “The walk-in was amazing, a once in a lifetime experience. Just to see the amount of support, the variety present – families, people who are more youthful, older, many male attendees – it was massive. I absolutely must see recordings to see it because I don’t think I captured it enough because I was a bit in shock.

“You gaze upward and you observe the entire crowd. I think of the pointing fingers and being like: ‘See that.’ It was insane. I quickly pulled out my phone, I was like: ‘I have to record this.’”

If Kabeya was provided lasting recollections then she also created memories for supporters, with a starring display in the final leading the Red Roses to a decisive triumph. Crowds chanted her popular refrain at the Battersea Power Station celebrations the following day, when the “Sadia Kabeya chant” was sung by her England teammate Hannah Botterman. These are all occasions she couldn't foresee could be a actuality a decade ago.

Kabeya first took up the sport about 15 miles south-east of Twickenham, at the Harris city academy in Croydon, south London. First participating with boys, she was motivated by an instructor and retired athlete Bryony Cleall to pursue the sport. When she started at her initial team, in a different locale, she felt she had to alter her behavior to fit in.

“It was in Richmond, which is a mostly white community,” Kabeya says. “I was young and I hoped to be accepted so I modified my preferences my musical tastes, my speech patterns. I no longer talk like I did when I was in my teens but I was a typical resident when I joined the club and I felt the need to adjust and conceal my true identity.

“It’s only as I have progressed in rugby and connected with similar individuals and have encouraged my authentic personality that I am finding [my] personality. I am myself now.”

While encouraging future athletes, Kabeya has designed gear which will reduce hurdles blocking some from taking up the sport. Teaming up with a brand, she has produced a unique rugby cap to safeguard various textures from friction, rubbing and damage.

“It’s been a journey because we had to source suitable fabric with how it can work and be breathable still as it has to be appropriate for the sport, where you’re perspiring and facing physical demands but also keeping your hair safe.

“A protective cap is something that has been around for a long, long time, it’s not a groundbreaking concept. But to add this layer, it is such a small thing but it can make such a big difference. In secondary school I used to use makeshift protection because I wanted to keep my hair neat but I enjoyed the game so it didn't deter me.

I was a true local when I moved to the area and I wanted to change that and suppress myself

“However, for certain individuals that would be the end. It would be: ‘I’m avoiding participation because I don’t want to do that to my hair, I don’t want to have breakage.’ To have equipment that encourages participation or have people join the game is significant.”

The conclusion of the tournament has been successful for the athlete. Her future games for the national team will be in the European championship in April, while in the interim her attention turns to the forthcoming domestic league for her team, Loughborough Lightning. In the time before the championship, she found it rather difficult, dealing with setbacks and a “mental dip” during the 2025 Six Nations: “I came in thinking: ‘Oh I’ll be fine, I’ll be able to handle it.’

“I think the harder her personal life was, the worse it got on pitch. I was capable of stepping back and put in the effort and consult professionals to achieve optimal mental state for a global competition. I think, especially in sport, you wait until you hit rock bottom to attempt to make changes. Whereas now, having the resources and professionals I can rely on as opposed to reacting to issues is important.”