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When 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 her side had claimed the Rugby World Cup. The clash with Canada had been so “exhausting,” Kabeya found it hard to believe they were world champions until she the whistle blew. “It was amazing,” Kabeya says. “The final whistle was a lot of ease, a moment to exhale and then: ‘Wow, we’ve done it.’”

England’s success concluded a lengthy winning streak, a unbeaten streak of 33 matches, but the broader influence is what Kabeya recalls fondly. Specifically, stepping off the squad vehicle to be greeted by thousands of supporters and the cheers from over 81,000 spectators after the anthems.

“I struggle to put it into words,” the young forward says. “The stadium entrance was unforgettable, a rare opportunity. Just to see the amount of support, the variety present – families, people who are younger, elderly, numerous guys in the stands – 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 awe.

“You look up and you notice all the spectators. I think of the pointing fingers 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 player-of-the-final performance leading the Red Roses to a decisive triumph. Crowds chanted her popular refrain at the Battersea Power Station celebrations the following day, when the “celebratory tune” was sung by her England teammate Hannah Botterman. These are all moments she did not comprehend could be a possibility a ten years back.

Kabeya first took up the sport about a short distance from the stadium, at the a local institution in the London borough of Croydon. Starting out with male peers, she was encouraged by the PE teacher and retired athlete Bryony Cleall to follow her passion. When she became part of a new squad, away from south London, she felt she had to change parts of herself to be accepted.

“It was in another part of town, which is a predominantly white area,” Kabeya says. “I was young and I aimed to blend in so I modified my preferences my musical tastes, how I was speaking. I have changed my accent when I was in secondary school but I was a proper south London girl when I moved to the area and I attempted to suppress that and conceal my true identity.

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

In addition to motivating young players, Kabeya has created an item which will eliminate obstacles preventing participation. Collaborating with a partner, she has created a satin scrum cap to shield different styles from abrasion, rubbing and damage.

“It’s been a development 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 protecting your hair.

“A rugby headgear is something that has been in use for ages, it’s not a novel invention. But to add this layer, it is such a small thing but it can make such a big difference. In my younger days I used to improvise with household items because I didn’t want to get my hair messy but I enjoyed the game so it didn’t bother me.

I was a true local when I moved to the area and I felt the need to adjust and hold back

“However, for certain individuals that would be it. It would be: ‘I’m not playing because I prefer to avoid damage, I don’t want to have breakage.’ To have gear that supports involvement or welcome additional athletes is significant.”

The conclusion of the tournament has been successful for the athlete. Her upcoming international matches will be in the European championship in next season, while in the interim her attention turns to the forthcoming domestic league for her club, Loughborough Lightning. In the time before the championship, she found it far from easy, facing physical issues and a “psychological challenge” during the recent tournament: “I started assuming: ‘Oh I’ll be fine, I’ll be able to get through it.’

“I think the worse it got off pitch, the poorer she played. I was able to go away and do the work and consult professionals to achieve optimal mental state for a major tournament. I think, especially in sport, you frequently postpone action to attempt to make changes. But today, accessing support systems and professionals I can rely on as opposed to reacting to issues is important.”