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The moment the final whistle blew, Sadia Kabeya felt immense relief. With a massive turnout watching, she celebrated with fellow player Lucy Packer and then understood that the Red Roses had won 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 final signal came. “It was amazing,” Kabeya says. “The end-of-game signal was a lot of ease, a moment to exhale and then: ‘Wow, we’ve achieved it.’”

England’s victory concluded a dominant three years, a 33-game winning run, but the broader influence is what Kabeya cherishes deeply. In particular, getting off the team bus to be welcomed by massive crowds and the roar from the 81,885-strong Twickenham crowd after the anthems.

“I find it hard to describe,” the England star says. “The team procession was spectacular, a rare opportunity. Just to see the amount of support, the diversity in it – families, people who are more youthful, elderly, numerous guys in the stands – it was huge. 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 awe.

“You glance around and you notice all the spectators. I think of the pointing fingers and being like: ‘Check it out.’ It was unreal. I quickly pulled out my phone, I was like: ‘I need to film this.’”

If Kabeya was provided lasting recollections then she also gave spectators something to remember, with a starring display in the final steering England to their 33-13 victory. Thousands sang her now-familiar chant at the Battersea Power Station celebrations the day after, when the “celebratory tune” was sung by her England teammate Hannah Botterman. These are all events she never imagined could be a reality a ten years back.

Kabeya first took up the sport about a short distance from the stadium, at the Harris city academy in her hometown. First participating with boys, she was motivated by an instructor and retired athlete Bryony Cleall to continue with rugby. When she started at her initial team, away from south London, she felt she had to alter her behavior to belong.

“It was in Richmond, which is a mostly white community,” Kabeya says. “I was just starting out and I wanted to fit into the team so I adjusted my habits the songs I enjoyed, my way of talking. I no longer talk like I did when I was in my teens 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 progressed in rugby and met other people who look like me and have encouraged my authentic personality that I am embracing my identity. I am myself now.”

While encouraging future athletes, Kabeya has created an item which will remove more barriers deterring involvement. Collaborating with a partner, she has created a satin scrum cap to safeguard various textures from rubbing, irritation and drying.

“It’s been a process because we had to source suitable fabric with how it can perform without causing discomfort as it has to be suitable for athletic use, where you’re perspiring and getting through a lot of work but also keeping your hair safe.

“A scrum cap is something that has been in use for ages, it’s not a revolutionary idea. But to include this feature, it is such a small thing but it can create substantial change. In secondary school I used to play with a plastic bag on my head because I wanted to keep my hair neat but I loved the sport 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 suppress myself

“However, for some girls that would be it. It would be: ‘I’m avoiding participation because I don’t want to do that to my hair, I want to prevent damage.’ To have gear that supports involvement or attract new players is important.”

The completion of the competition has been successful for the athlete. Her upcoming international matches will be in the European championship in the spring, while in the period before her focus will be on the next club competition for her team, Loughborough Lightning. In the period leading up to the tournament, she found it rather difficult, dealing with setbacks and a “emotional struggle” during the previous competition: “I started assuming: ‘Oh I’ll be fine, I’ll be able to ride it out.’

“I think the more difficult things became outside rugby, the more it affected her performance. I was capable of stepping back and address the issues and seek appropriate help to get myself in the best head space for a World Cup. I think, especially in sport, you frequently postpone action to try and do something about it. However currently, utilizing available help and professionals I can rely on as opposed to reacting to issues is huge.”