🔗 Share this article

When the final whistle blew, a wave of relief swept through. Before a historic audience, she embraced her Red Roses colleague Lucy Packer and then understood that the her side had claimed the Rugby World Cup. The clash with Canada had been so “exhausting,” Kabeya found it tough to comprehend they were global titleholders until she the whistle blew. “It was unbelievable,” Kabeya says. “The end-of-game signal was a lot of comfort, a opportunity to relax and then: ‘Wow, we’ve done it.’”

England’s success concluded a lengthy winning streak, a 33 consecutive victories, but the wider effect is what Kabeya cherishes deeply. Specifically, stepping off the squad vehicle to be greeted by thousands of supporters and the applause from the packed stadium after the anthems.

“I can’t even explain it,” the young forward says. “The stadium entrance was unforgettable, a unique moment. Just to observe the enormous encouragement, the variety present – families, people who are less mature, elderly, loads of men coming to the game – it was massive. I certainly need to review footage to see it because I feel I missed some of it because I was a bit in shock.

“You glance around and you notice all the spectators. I remember everyone pointing up and being like: ‘Look, look.’ It was unreal. I got my phone out immediately, I was like: ‘I have to record this.’”

If Kabeya was provided lasting recollections then she also gave spectators something to remember, with a player-of-the-final performance steering England to their 33-13 victory. Fans voiced her popular refrain at the title-winning party the day after, when the “Sadia Kabeya chant” was initiated by her England teammate Hannah Botterman. These are all moments she did not comprehend could be a actuality a in her younger days.

Kabeya first took up the sport about 15 miles south-east of Twickenham, at the her school in the London borough of Croydon. Starting out with male peers, she was encouraged by the PE teacher and retired athlete Bryony Cleall to pursue the sport. When she became part of a new squad, in a different locale, she felt she had to alter her behavior to belong.

“It was in Richmond, which is a mostly white community,” Kabeya says. “I was inexperienced and I wanted to fit into the team so culturally I changed my musical tastes, how I was speaking. I no longer talk like I did when I was in high school but I was a typical resident when I moved to the area and I kind of wanted to change that and conceal my true identity.

“It’s only as I have advanced in my career and found those with shared experiences and have encouraged my authentic personality that I am discovering my true self. I am true to who I am.”

In addition to motivating young players, Kabeya has created an item which will eliminate obstacles preventing participation. Working with her sponsor, she has developed a specialized headgear to protect a range of hair types from rubbing, irritation and damage.

“It’s been a development because we had to find the right material with how it can function while allowing airflow as it has to be something you can wear in rugby, where you’re perspiring and undergoing intense activity but also keeping your hair safe.

“A protective cap is something that has been existing for decades, it’s not a revolutionary idea. But to add this layer, it is such a minor adjustment but it can have significant impact. In high school I used to play with a plastic bag on my head because I didn’t want to get my hair messy but I enjoyed the game so it didn't deter me.

I was a proper south London girl when I joined the club and I attempted to suppress that and conceal my true identity

“However, for certain individuals that would be the end. It would be: ‘I’m avoiding participation because I prefer to avoid damage, I don’t want to have breakage.’ To have gear that supports involvement or attract new players is important.”

The conclusion of the tournament has been triumphant for the player. Her future games for the national team will be in the European championship in the spring, while in the interim her focus will be on the upcoming Premiership Women’s Rugby season for her club, Loughborough Lightning. In the period leading up to the tournament, she found it quite challenging, facing physical issues and a “psychological challenge” during the recent tournament: “I started assuming: ‘Oh I’ll be alright, I’ll be able to get through it.’

“I think the harder her personal life was, the poorer she played. I was capable of stepping back and put in the effort and seek appropriate help to get myself in the best head space for a World Cup. I think, notably in competitive environments, you frequently postpone action to attempt to make changes. Whereas now, accessing support systems and people who I can use consistently as opposed to reacting to issues is huge.”