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When the final whistle blew, a wave of relief swept through. With a massive turnout watching, she hugged her England teammate Lucy Packer and only then realised that the Red Roses had won the Rugby World Cup. The final against Canada had been so “demanding,” Kabeya found it tough to comprehend they were world champions until she heard that sound. “It was amazing,” Kabeya says. “The final whistle was a lot of relief, a moment to exhale and then: ‘Wow, we’ve achieved it.’”

England’s triumph topped off a lengthy winning streak, a 33-game winning run, but the wider effect is what Kabeya cherishes deeply. Specifically, stepping off the squad vehicle to be met with throngs of fans 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 rare opportunity. Just to observe the enormous encouragement, the mix of people – households, people who are younger, more senior, many male attendees – it was massive. I certainly need to review footage to experience it again because I don’t think I captured it enough because I was a bit in amazement.

“You glance around and you notice all the spectators. I recall people gesturing and being like: ‘See that.’ It was crazy. I got my phone out immediately, I was like: ‘I have to record this.’”

If Kabeya was provided lasting recollections then she also created memories for supporters, with a player-of-the-final performance steering England to their 33-13 victory. Fans voiced her well-known slogan at the title-winning party the following day, when the “Sadia Kabeya chant” chorus was led 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 started playing rugby about 15 miles south-east of Twickenham, at the Harris city academy in the London borough of Croydon. Initially playing alongside the boys, she was encouraged by the PE teacher and retired athlete Bryony Cleall to pursue the sport. When she started at her initial team, away from south London, she felt she had to alter her behavior to belong.

“It was in a different area, which is a largely homogeneous neighborhood,” Kabeya says. “I was inexperienced and I wanted to fit into the team so I modified my preferences what music I was listening to, how I was speaking. I no longer talk like I did when I was in my teens but I was a typical resident when I came to Richmond and I kind of wanted to change that and conceal my true identity.

“It’s only as I have advanced in my career and connected with similar individuals and have brought me out of my shell again that I am embracing my identity. I am myself now.”

Alongside inspiring the next generation, Kabeya has created an item which will remove more barriers deterring involvement. Working with her sponsor, she has produced a unique rugby cap to protect a range of hair types from rubbing, irritation and damage.

“It’s been a development because we had to identify perfect textiles with how it can work and be breathable still as it has to be suitable for athletic use, where you’re losing fluids and undergoing intense activity but also maintaining hair health.

“A rugby headgear is something that has been around for a long, long time, it’s not a groundbreaking concept. But to incorporate this element, it is such a tiny detail but it can create substantial change. In secondary school I used to improvise with household items because I didn’t want to get my hair messy but I loved the sport so it didn’t bother me.

I was a typical resident when I moved to the area and I attempted to suppress that and suppress myself

“However, for certain individuals that would be enough. It would be: ‘I’m not playing because I want to protect my hair, I aim to maintain health.’ To have equipment that encourages participation or have people join the game is significant.”

The completion of the competition has been triumphant for the player. Her future games for the national team will be in the international tournament in April, while in the meantime her focus will be on the forthcoming domestic league for her club, Loughborough Lightning. In the time before the championship, she found it rather difficult, facing physical issues and a “psychological challenge” during the 2025 Six Nations: “I came in thinking: ‘Oh I’ll be alright, I’ll be able to get through it.’

“I think the harder her personal life was, the more it affected her performance. I was capable of stepping back and put in the effort and seek appropriate help to achieve optimal mental state for a global competition. I think, notably in competitive environments, you wait until you hit rock bottom to try and do something about it. However currently, utilizing available help and people who I can use consistently instead of waiting to hit a bump in the road is significant.”