Outside the Lines: Sadia Kabeya

For Loughborough Lightning and the Red Roses, Sadia Kabeya is known as a relentless force in the back row, explosive in contact, sharp in defence, and impossible to ignore.

But beyond the collisions and carries, Kabeya is carving out just as distinctive an identity away from the pitch.

Blending bold self-expression with effortless confidence, her personal style mirrors the way she plays – unapologetic, dynamic, and entirely her own.

Kabeya represents a new generation of athletes redefining what it means to show up, not just as a player, but as a personality.

How would you describe your personal style?

A mix of girly-pop and tomboy energy, rolled into one.

What does a typical off-day outfit look like for you?

If it’s casual, I’ll go for baggy bottoms, Adidas joggers or cargo pants, with a smaller top. Or the other way round, if I wear a bigger top, I’ll keep the bottoms more fitted. I’ll usually finish it with a chunky trainer.

Do you think your style has changed since playing elite rugby?

It’s stayed pretty consistent. I’ve just gone deeper with it and experimented more, but the core of it is the same.

Do you think feeling confident in what you wear off the pitch feeds into your confidence on it, or do you think that's just a completely separate thing?

They go hand in hand. I’m all about look good, feel good, play good. If I’ve had a good day before a game and I’m feeling good in what I’m wearing, I carry that into matchday. A big part of my identity is being confident not just in my rugby, but off pitch as well.

Is there anything that you incorporate from rugby style into your personal style?

I love a collared, vintage-style rugby shirt with a boxy fit. It’s usually from brands like Collusion rather than an actual club, but I like that crossover.

Matchday Sadia vs non-matchday Sadia - how different are they style-wise?

Very different. We don’t get a choice on matchday, it’s just shorts or leggings with kit. If I turned up in double denim, people would definitely think something was going on.

What is your favourite outfit that you’ve ever worn?

I’m a big double denim warrior, so probably one of those looks. It’s easy to dress up with jewellery and a nice pair of sunglasses. I’ve also been into turning accessories into belts, like using a tie or lace, just to add more layers.

Who or what inspires your style in any sort of way, whether that's teammates, social media, designers, or just life around you?

I take a lot of inspiration from the girls around me. I love Holly Aitchison and Sarah Bern’s style, and I’d say my style sits somewhere between the two. Berner leans more tomboy, while Holly brings in more of the feminine girly-pop side. I look at both and pick bits I can bring into my own outfits.

How important do you think it is for women’s rugby to show players’ personalities and style away from the pitch?

It’s really important. It helps build our fanbase. There’s been a huge rise in people supporting the game, and to keep that going we need to show who we are off pitch as well. Even if someone doesn’t fully understand rugby yet, they can still connect with a player, whether that’s their personality, background, or style.

If you could collaborate with one brand on a PWR collection, who would it be?

Urban Outfitters. They’ve got really good individual pieces you can style up or down.

What fashion trend would you bring back from the grave?

Monochrome outfits. I love block colouring, so I’m bringing that back.