Red Roses star Sadia Kabeya: ‘Meeting teammates who resemble me brought me out of my shell’

The moment the game concluded, relief washed over. In front of a record crowd, she hugged her England teammate Lucy Packer and then understood that the Red Roses had won the Rugby World Cup. The final against Canada had been so “exhausting,” Kabeya found it hard to believe they were international winners until she the whistle blew. “It was incredible,” Kabeya says. “The final whistle was a lot of ease, a chance to breathe out and then: ‘Wow, we’ve accomplished it.’”

England’s success topped off a lengthy winning streak, a 33 consecutive victories, but the broader influence is what Kabeya recalls fondly. Notably, stepping off the squad vehicle to be welcomed by massive crowds and the cheers from over 81,000 spectators after the anthems.

“I find it hard to describe,” the young forward says. “The walk-in was amazing, a rare opportunity. Just to observe the enormous encouragement, the mix of people – families, people who are younger, more senior, loads of men coming to the game – it was massive. I absolutely must see recordings to experience it again because I feel I missed some of it because I was a bit in shock.

“You gaze upward and you notice all the spectators. I think of the pointing fingers and being like: ‘Check it out.’ It was crazy. I got my phone out immediately, I was like: ‘I have to record this.’”

If Kabeya was granted unforgettable moments then she also created memories for supporters, with a player-of-the-final performance steering England to their 33-13 victory. Fans voiced her now-familiar chant at the post-victory event 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 ten years back.

Kabeya first picked up a rugby ball about 15 miles south-east of Twickenham, at the a local institution in her hometown. Initially playing alongside the boys, she was encouraged by the PE teacher and retired athlete Bryony Cleall to follow her passion. When she joined her first club, outside her home area, she felt she had to change parts of herself to belong.

“It was in another part of town, which is a mostly white community,” Kabeya says. “I was just starting out and I hoped to be accepted so I adjusted my habits what music I was listening to, my speech patterns. I don’t speak how I used to speak when I was in high school but I was a true local when I came to Richmond and I felt the need to adjust and suppress myself.

“It’s only as I have gone along in the sport and met other people who look like me and have brought me out of my shell again that I am finding [my] personality. I am true to who I am.”

In addition to motivating young players, Kabeya has designed gear which will reduce hurdles blocking some from taking up the sport. Working with her sponsor, she has produced a unique rugby cap to safeguard various textures from abrasion, irritation and dehydration.

“It’s been a journey because we had to identify perfect textiles with how it can perform without causing discomfort as it has to be appropriate for the sport, where you’re losing fluids and getting through a lot of work but also maintaining hair health.

“A scrum cap is something that has been around for a long, long time, it’s not a revolutionary idea. But to incorporate this element, it is such a small thing but it can have significant impact. In my younger days I used to improvise with household items because I aimed to maintain my hairstyle but I enjoyed the game so it didn't deter me.

I was a proper south London girl when I came to Richmond and I felt the need to adjust and hold back

“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 equipment that encourages participation or attract new players is significant.”

The ending of this World Cup cycle has been golden for Kabeya. Her upcoming international matches will be in the European championship in next season, while in the interim her priorities include the next club competition for her club, Loughborough Lightning. In the period leading up to the tournament, she found it quite challenging, dealing with setbacks and a “mental dip” during the previous competition: “I entered believing: ‘Oh I’ll be fine, I’ll be able to get through it.’

“I think the harder her personal life was, the poorer she played. I was able to go away and put in the effort and seek appropriate help to prepare psychologically for a global competition. I think, especially in sport, you frequently postpone action to seek solutions. Whereas now, accessing support systems and professionals I can rely on as opposed to reacting to issues is significant.”