Nicola Evans (born 17 January 1990), also referred to as Nikki Evans, is an Ireland women's field hockey international. She was a member of the Ireland team that played in the

2018 Women's Hockey World Cup The 2018 Women's Hockey World Cup was the 14th edition of the Women's Hockey World Cup, a field hockey tournament. It was held from 21 July to 5 August 2018 at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London, England. Defending champions ...

final. Evans has also won

Women's Irish Hockey League The Women's Irish Hockey League is a field hockey league organised by Hockey Ireland that features women's teams from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The league was first played for during the 2008–09 season. It replaced the A ...

titles with

Railway Union The Railway Union (, RAU) is a trade union representing drivers, traffic controllers and office staff on the railways in Finland Finland, officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It borders Sweden to the ...

, UCD and Hermes-Monkstown. In the 2013–14 Evans was a member the UCD team that completed a national double, winning both the league and the Irish Senior Cup.

Early years, family and education

Evans is originally from

Clonskeagh Clonskeagh or Clonskea (; , meaning "meadow of the Crataegus monogyna, Whitethorn"), is a small southern suburb of Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. The district straddles the River Dodder. Location and access The district is adjacent to ...

Dublin Dublin is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Situated on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, and is bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, pa ...

where she grew up as the eldest of three. Nikki was educated at Sandford Parish NS and

Alexandra College Alexandra College () is an independent day and boarding school for girls in Milltown, Dublin, Ireland. The school operates under a Church of Ireland ethos. History The school was founded in 1866 and takes its name from Princess Alexandra of ...

. Between 2009 and 2013 she attended

University College Dublin University College Dublin (), commonly referred to as UCD, is a public research university in Dublin, Ireland, and a collegiate university, member institution of the National University of Ireland. With 38,417 students, it is Ireland's largest ...

. She graduated from UCD with a Bachelor of Business and Law. Between 2014 and 2017 she studied at the

Law Society of Ireland The Law Society of Ireland () is a professional body established on 24 June 1830 and is the educational, representative and regulatory body of the Solicitor, solicitors' profession in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. As of 2020, the Law Society ha ...

and gained a Diploma in Sports Law.

Domestic teams

Alexandra College

Evans played for

in three Leinster Schoolgirls' Senior Cup finals, regularly playing against teams that included future

Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...

teammates. In the 2005 final she scored the opening goal in a 4–2 win over a High School, Dublin team that included

Nicola Daly Nicola Daly (born 3 April 1988), also referred to as Nicci Daly or Nikki Daly, is an Ireland women's field hockey international. She was a member of the Ireland team that played in the 2018 Women's Hockey World Cup final. In 2010 Daly was a me ...

. In the 2007 final she scored again in a 5–0 win against a St. Andrew's College team that included Gillian Pinder and Chloe Watkins. In the 2008 final she finished on the losing as Alexandra lost to Loreto Beaufort.

Hermes

In 2008, while still a schoolgirl at

, Evans, together with fellow schoolgirls, Anna O'Flanagan and Chloe Watkins, was a member of the

Hermes Hermes (; ) is an Olympian deity in ancient Greek religion and mythology considered the herald of the gods. He is also widely considered the protector of human heralds, travelers, thieves, merchants, and orators. He is able to move quic ...

team that won the All-Ireland Ladies' Club Championships. In 2008–09 Evans was also a member of the Hermes team that finished as runners up in the inaugural

season. Other members of the team included Anna O'Flanagan, Chloe Watkins and Gillian Pinder.

Railway Union

In 2009–10, together with

Cecelia Cecelia is a variation of the given name Cecilia. People with the name include: * Cecelia Adkins (1923–2007, African-American publisher * Cecelia Ager (1902–1981), American film critic and reporter * Cecelia Ahern (born 1981), Irish novelist ...

and

Isobel Joyce Isobel Mary Helen Cecilia Joyce (born 25 July 1983) is an Irish former cricketer. She played as a right-handed batter and left-arm medium pace bowler. She appeared in one Test match, 79 One Day Internationals and 55 Twenty20 Internationals fo ...

Emer Lucey Emer Lucey is a Women's Irish Hockey League player. During the early 2010s she was member of the Railway Union team that won three leagues titles. In 2012–13 Lucey was also captain of the Railway Union team that won a national double, winning ...

and

Kate McKenna Kate McKenna (born 27 September 1989) is an Irish former cricketer who played as a right-handed batter. She appeared in 7 Twenty20 Internationals for Ireland in 2014. She played in the Super 3s for Typhoons. Field hockey In 2009–10, together ...

, Evans was a member of the

team that won the

title. Evans scored as they defeated

Cork Harlequins Cork Harlequins Hockey and Cricket Club is a multi-sports club based in Cork City in Ireland. The club was founded in 1925. Although Harlequins is best known for its field hockey and cricket teams, during its history the club has also organised ...

4–1 in the final. Evans also played for Railway Union in the 2010 Irish Senior Cup final as they lost to Loreto after a

penalty shoot-out The penalty shootout is a method of determining a winner in sports matches that would have otherwise been drawn or tied. The rules for penalty shootouts vary between sports and even different competitions; however, the usual form is similar to pe ...

. Evans was a Railway Union player when she made her senior debut for

UCD

In 2013 together with Chloe Watkins, Anna O'Flanagan,

Emily Beatty Emily Beatty (born 18 August 1993) is an Ireland women's field hockey international. She was a member of the Ireland team that played in the 2018 Women's Hockey World Cup final. Beatty has also won Irish Senior Cup and Women's Irish Hockey Le ...

, and

Katie Mullan Kathryn "Katie" Mullan (born 7 April 1994) is an Ireland women's field hockey international player from Coleraine, Northern Ireland. She was captain of the Ireland team that played in the 2018 Women's Hockey World Cup final. Mullan has also won ...

, Evans was a member of the UCD team that lost 3–2 to

in the Irish Senior Cup final. In the 2013–14 season UCD completed a national double when they won both the Irish Senior Cup and their first

title. In the cup final Evans scored as UCD defeated Pembroke Wanderers 2–0. Other members of the double winning squad included Katie Mullan, Emily Beatty, Anna O'Flanagan, Gillian Pinder and Deirdre Duke. Evans also played for UCD in the 2015 EuroHockey Club Champions Cup.

Hermes-Monkstown

In 2015–16, Evans was a member of the

team that won the

title and the EY Champions Trophy. Other members of the team included Anna O'Flanagan, Chloe Watkins and

Naomi Carroll Naomi Carroll (born 13 September 1992) is an Irish Olympian and Ireland women's field hockey international. In 2015–16 Carroll won a Women's Irish Hockey League title with Hermes. Carroll has also played both camogie and ladies' Gaelic foot ...

. In 2016 Hermes merged with Monkstown and they subsequently played as Hermes-Monkstown. Evans played for Hermes-Monkstown in the 2017 EuroHockey Club Champions Cup.

Uhlenhorster HC

In 2017–18 Evans was a member of the

Uhlenhorster HC Uhlenhorster Hockey-Club e. V. (also known as UHC Hamburg) is a German professional field hockey and tennis club based in Hamburg. It was founded in 1901, since 1923 their home ground is located in Hummelsbüttel, Wandsbek. Uhlenhorster HC is one ...

that finished as runners up in both the Women's Bundesliga and the

2018 EuroHockey Club Champions Cup The 2018 EuroHockey Club Champions Cup was the 46th edition of the premier European competition for women's field hockey clubs. HC Den Bosch were the defending champions, having won their 15th title in the 2017 EuroHockey Club Champions Cup. The ...

Ireland international

Evans made her senior debut for

in June 2010 against

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

in a Four Nations Tournament in

Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...

. In March 2015 Evans was a member of the Ireland team that won a

2014–15 Women's FIH Hockey World League Round 2 The 2014–15 Women's FIH Hockey World League Round 2 was held from February to March 2015. A total of 24 teams competing in 3 events took part in this round of the tournament playing for 7 berths in the 2014–15 Women's FIH Hockey World League ...

tournament hosted in

. Evans scored in the final against

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...

, which finished 1–1, before Ireland eventually won the tournament following a

. On 10 June 2015 at the

2014–15 Women's FIH Hockey World League Semifinals The 2014–15 Women's FIH Hockey World League Semifinals took place in June and July 2015. A total of 20 teams competed in 2 events in this round of the tournament playing for 7 berths in the Final, played between 21 and 29 November 2015 in Rosario ...

, Evans scored a hat-trick against

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...

in the opening pool game. In a second game against the same opponents in the same tournament, Evans sustained a nasty facial injury in the dying minutes of the game. In January 2017 Evans was a member of the Ireland team that won a

2016–17 Women's FIH Hockey World League Round 2 The 2016–17 Women's FIH Hockey World League Round 2 was held from January to April 2017. A total of 24 teams competing in 3 events took part in this round of the tournament playing for 8 berths in the Semifinals, to be played in June and July 2017 ...

tournament in

Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur (KL), officially the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, is the capital city and a Federal Territories of Malaysia, federal territory of Malaysia. It is the largest city in the country, covering an area of with a census population ...

, defeating

Malaysia Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. Featuring the Tanjung Piai, southernmost point of continental Eurasia, it is a federation, federal constitutional monarchy consisting of States and federal territories of Malaysia, 13 states and thre ...

3–0 in the final. Evans represented Ireland at the

and was a prominent member of the team that won the silver medal. She featured in all of Ireland's games throughout the tournament, including the pool games against the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

, and

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

, the quarter-final against India, the semi-final against

Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...

and the final against the

Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

Occupation

Together with Lizzie Colvin, Gillian Pinder, Anna O'Flanagan and Deirdre Duke, Evans was one of five lawyers in the Ireland squad at the

. Between 2014 and 2017 she was a trainee solicitor with Mason, Hayes & Curran.\ While based in

Hamburg Hamburg (, ; ), officially the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg,. is the List of cities in Germany by population, second-largest city in Germany after Berlin and List of cities in the European Union by population within city limits, 7th-lar ...

, Evans has worked for CMS Legal Services.

Honours

;

Women's Hockey World Cup The Women's FIH Hockey World Cup is the field hockey World Cup competition for women, whose format for qualification and the final tournament is similar to the men's. It has been held since 1974. The tournament has been organized by the Internat ...

**''Runners Up'':

2018 Events January * January 1 – Bulgaria takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, after the Estonian presidency. * January 4 – SPLM-IO rebels loyal to Chan Garang Lual start a raid against Juba, capital of ...

Women's FIH Hockey World League The Women's FIH Hockey World League was an international women's field hockey competition organised by the International Hockey Federation. The league also served as a qualifier for the 2014 Women's Hockey World Cup, 2014 and 2018 Women's Hocke ...

**''Winners'': 2015 Dublin, 2017 Kuala Lumpur *

Women's Hockey Champions Challenge I The Women's Hockey Champions Challenge I was an international field hockey tournament, played every two years. It was introduced in 2002 by the International Hockey Federation in order to broaden hockey's competitive base at world level. The Cham ...

**''Runners Up'':

2014 The year 2014 was marked by the surge of the Western African Ebola epidemic, West African Ebola epidemic, which began in 2013, becoming the List of Ebola outbreaks, most widespread outbreak of the Ebola, Ebola virus in human history, resul ...

*Women's Four Nations Cup **''Runners Up'':

2017 2017 was designated as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations General Assembly. Events January * January 1 – Istanbul nightclub shooting: A gunman dressed as Santa Claus opens fire at the ...

*Women's Field Hockey Olympic Qualifier **''Runners Up'':

2012 2012 was designated as: *International Year of Cooperatives *International Year of Sustainable Energy for All Events January *January 4 – The Cicada 3301 internet hunt begins. * January 12 – Peaceful protests begin in the R ...

; UCD *

**''Winners'': 2013–14 * Irish Senior Cup **''Winners'': 2013–14 **''Runners Up'': 2012–13 ;

**''Winners'': 2009–10 * Irish Senior Cup **''Runners Up'': 2009–10 ;

/ Hermes-Monkstown *

**''Winners'': 2015–16 **''Runners Up'': 2008–09 * EY Champions Trophy **''Winners'': 2015–16 **''Runners Up'': 2016–17 *All-Ireland Ladies' Club Championships **''Winners'': 2008 ;

* Leinster Schoolgirls' Senior Cup **''Winners'': 2004–05, 2006–07 **''Runners Up'': 2007–08

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Evans, Nicola 1990 births Living people Irish female field hockey players Place of birth missing (living people) Irish expatriate field hockey players Irish expatriate sportspeople in Germany Female field hockey forwards Ireland international women's field hockey players Railway Union field hockey players UCD Ladies' Hockey Club players Monkstown Hockey Club players Uhlenhorster HC players Women's Irish Hockey League players Field hockey players from County Dublin Feldhockey Bundesliga (Women's field hockey) players People educated at Alexandra College Alumni of University College Dublin 21st-century Irish lawyers Sportspeople from Dublin (city) 21st-century Irish women lawyers 21st-century Irish sportswomen