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As the final whistle blew, Sadia Kabeya felt immense relief. With a massive turnout watching, she celebrated with fellow player Lucy Packer and only then realised that the Red Roses had won the Rugby World Cup. The championship match versus Canada had been so “demanding,” Kabeya found it difficult to accept they were world champions until she the final signal came. “It was amazing,” Kabeya says. “The final whistle was a lot of comfort, a opportunity to relax and then: ‘Wow, we’ve achieved it.’”

England’s success topped off a lengthy winning streak, a unbeaten streak of 33 matches, but the broader influence is what Kabeya remembers most. Specifically, stepping off the squad vehicle to be welcomed by massive crowds and the applause from the packed stadium after the anthems.

“I struggle to put it into words,” the England star says. “The stadium entrance was unforgettable, a unique moment. Just to observe the enormous encouragement, the variety present – households, people who are more youthful, older, loads of men coming to the game – it was huge. I definitely have to watch videos back to experience it again because I feel I missed some of it because I was a bit in awe.

“You look up and you see everyone in the stands. I remember everyone pointing up and being like: ‘Look, look.’ It was insane. I quickly pulled out my phone, I was like: ‘I must capture this.’”

If Kabeya was provided lasting recollections then she also gave spectators something to remember, with a starring display in the final leading the Red Roses to a decisive triumph. Thousands sang her now-familiar chant at the post-victory event the day after, when the “celebratory tune” chorus was led by her England teammate Hannah Botterman. These are all events she never imagined could be a possibility a decade ago.

Kabeya first picked up a rugby ball about in a nearby London area, at the her school in Croydon, south London. First participating with boys, she was supported by her coach and former England prop Bryony Cleall to follow her passion. When she became part of a new squad, outside her home area, she felt she had to change parts of herself to be accepted.

“It was in another part of town, which is a largely homogeneous neighborhood,” Kabeya says. “I was inexperienced and I aimed to blend in so I adjusted my habits my musical tastes, my way of talking. I no longer talk like I did when I was in my teens but I was a proper south London girl when I joined the club and I felt the need to adjust and suppress myself.

“It’s only as I have progressed in rugby and connected with similar individuals and have brought me out of my shell again that I am embracing my identity. I am authentic today.”

In addition to motivating young players, Kabeya has created an item which will remove more barriers blocking some from taking up the sport. Working with her sponsor, she has produced a unique rugby cap to safeguard various textures from abrasion, chafing and damage.

“It’s been a development because we had to source suitable fabric with how it can function while allowing airflow as it has to be something you can wear in rugby, where you’re perspiring and facing physical demands but also keeping your hair safe.

“A rugby headgear is something that has been around for a long, long time, it’s not a novel invention. But to add this layer, it is such a small thing but it can create substantial change. In my younger days I used to play with a plastic bag on my head because I wanted to keep my hair neat but I enjoyed the game so it didn't deter me.

I was a typical resident when I joined the club and I felt the need to adjust and conceal my true identity

“However, for certain individuals that would be the end. It would be: ‘I’m staying away because I don’t want to do that to my hair, I don’t want to have breakage.’ To have something that could keep people in the game or attract new players is important.”

The ending of this World Cup cycle has been successful for the athlete. Her future games for the national team will be in the Six Nations in the spring, while in the period before her attention turns to the upcoming Premiership Women’s Rugby season for her side, Loughborough Lightning. In the time before the championship, she found it rather difficult, dealing with setbacks and a “psychological challenge” during the 2025 Six Nations: “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 consult professionals to prepare psychologically for a major tournament. I think, notably in competitive environments, you often delay until crisis point to try and do something about it. However currently, accessing support systems and professionals I can rely on as opposed to reacting to issues is important.”