Sadia Kabeya

Sadia Kabeya is an English rugby player. She currently plays as a flanker for the England women's rugby union team and Loughborough Lightning. She made her international debut in 2021 at the age of 19.

Born on 22 February 2002 in Lewisham, Sadia Kabeya was a talented field athlete during her schooldays. However, her PE teacher, Bryony Cleall, introduced her to rugby and she soon switched sports. A short while later, Kabeya joined Streatham-Croydon RFC and she competed for the club throughout her teens.

Fast forward to 2019 and Kabeya's professional rugby career got underway. She signed to Richmond Women and represented the England U18s side and the England U18s Sevens. She enjoyed a glittering first year, captaining the sevens team at the 2019 Rugby Europe Women's U18 Sevens Championship.

One year later, she left Richmond and transferred to Wasps Women. Then, in 2021, Sadia Kabeya achieved two major milestones. First, she moved to Loughborough Lightning; second, she debuted for the senior England 15s team.

Things progressed in 2022 as Kabeya played in two Women's Six Nations matches. Additionally, she was selected for the England squad that contested the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup. Here she represented the Red Roses in two pool-stage fixtures and two knockout-stage matches. 

Kabeya was named Player of the Match for England’s 84-19 victory over Fiji and scored a brace during their 75-0 triumph against South Africa. She also played in the final against New Zealand—England were defeated 34-31 and finished as the runners-up. 

Next, Kabeya reached new heights at the 2023 Six Nations. She competed in all five fixtures, crossed the line during England’s opening round victory over Scotland and was named Player of the Match in their Grand Slam-winning match against France. These performances earned her The England Women’s Player of the Year Award in 2023. 

As one of the youngest and most exciting players on the England team, we're excited to see how Sadia Kabeya's career develops.