Nikki Symmons (born 2 August 1982) is a former Ireland women's field hockey international. Symmons is also a former Ireland women's cricket international. Between 2001 and 2013 Symmons made 208 appearances and scored 31 goals for

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 ...

. She represented Ireland at six

Women's EuroHockey Nations Championship The Women's EuroHockey Championship is an international women's field hockey competition organized by the European Hockey Federation (EHF) for the top eight European national teams. It is the top division of the EuroHockey Championships. The ina ...

s, during three

Olympic Olympic or Olympics may refer to Sports Competitions * Olympic Games, international multi-sport event held since 1896 ** Summer Olympic Games ** Winter Olympic Games * Ancient Olympic Games, ancient multi-sport event held in Olympia, Greece bet ...

qualification campaigns and during three

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 ...

qualification campaigns. Symmons played in four Irish Senior Cup finals for Loreto. In 2008–09 she was also a member of the Loreto team that won the inaugural

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 ...

title. In 2011 she was a member of the Loreto team that won the EuroHockey Club Champion's Challenge II. In 2015 she was inducted into the

European Hockey Federation EuroHockey is a European sports federation for field hockey, based in Brussels. It is the umbrella organisation for all European national federations, and organises the Euro Hockey League. The president of the league is Marcos Hofmann. In reactio ...

Hall of Fame. Since 2014 Symmons has worked in

Lausanne Lausanne ( , ; ; ) is the capital and largest List of towns in Switzerland, city of the Swiss French-speaking Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Vaud, in Switzerland. It is a hilly city situated on the shores of Lake Geneva, about halfway bet ...

as a Digital Manager for the

International Hockey Federation The International Hockey Federation, commonly known by the acronym FIH, is the international governing body of field hockey and indoor field hockey. Its headquarters are in Lausanne, Switzerland. FIH is responsible for field hockey's major int ...

Early years and education

Symmons was raised in

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 ...

by her mother, Melanie. Her parents marriage broke up when she still a baby. Her mother subsequently remarried into a family with four children when Symmons was six. Although initially estranged from her father, she established contact with him during her teens. Her grandparents, Harry and Rhona Booker, were a big influence during her formative years. During her youth, Symmons played

field hockey Field hockey (or simply referred to as hockey in some countries where ice hockey is not popular) is a team sport structured in standard hockey format, in which each team plays with 11 players in total, made up of 10 field players and a goalk ...

cricket Cricket is a Bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball game played between two Sports team, teams of eleven players on a cricket field, field, at the centre of which is a cricket pitch, pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two Bail (cr ...

and

tennis Tennis is a List of racket sports, racket sport that is played either individually against a single opponent (singles (tennis), singles) or between two teams of two players each (doubles (tennis), doubles). Each player uses a tennis racket st ...

. She completed her secondary education at Wesley College. Between 2002 and 2005 she attended St. Nicholas Montessori College where she gained a BA in

Montessori education The Montessori method of education is a type of educational method that involves children's natural interests and activities rather than formal teaching methods. A Montessori classroom places an emphasis on hands-on learning and developing ...

. Between 2014 and 2015 Symmons completed a Master of Advanced Studies in Sports Administration and Technology at

AISTS The International Academy of Sport Science and Technology (French: ''Académie internationale des sciences et techniques du sport'', AISTS) is a non-profit foundation based in Lausanne, Switzerland. About AISTS The International Academy of Spor ...

Field hockey

Early years

Symmons played

for Wesley College. In 1998 she was a member of the Wesley College team that won the Leinster Schoolgirls' Senior Cup.

Loreto

Symmons played in four Irish Senior Cup finals for Loreto. In the 2002 final, Symmons scored twice as Loreto drew 2–2 with

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 ...

before eventually winning the cup in 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 ...

. In the 2003 final, Symmons scored the winner in extra-time as Loreto 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 ...

3–2. In 2010 Symmons helped Loreto win the Irish Senior Cup for a third time. In the final she scored twice as Loreto drew 2–2 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 ...

before eventually winning the cup in another penalty shoot-out. Other members of the Loreto team 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 ...

, Lizzie Colvin, Hannah Matthews and Alison Meeke. Symmons and Loreto were finalists again in 2012 but this time lost 3–2 against UCD. In 2008 Symmons was a member of the Loreto team that finished as runners-up to Hermes in the All-Ireland Club Championship. In 2008–09, together with Hannah Matthews, Lizzie Colvin and Alison Meeke, she was a member of the Loreto team that won the inaugural

title. She was also a member of the Loreto teams that finished as league runners-up in 2011–12 and 2012–13. Symmons also won

European European, or Europeans, may refer to: In general * ''European'', an adjective referring to something of, from, or related to Europe ** Ethnic groups in Europe ** Demographics of Europe ** European cuisine, the cuisines of Europe and other West ...

honours with Loreto. In 2011 she was a member of the Loreto team that won the EuroHockey Club Champion's Challenge II, scoring in the final as they defeated HC Olten of

Switzerland Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country located in west-central Europe. It is bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Switzerland ...

7–1.

Eintracht Braunschweig

Symmons played full-time for

Eintracht Braunschweig Braunschweiger Turn- und Sportverein Eintracht von 1895 e.V., commonly known as Eintracht Braunschweig () or BTSV (), is a German football and sports club based in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony. They compete in the 2. Bundesliga, the second tier o ...

during the 2006–07 season.

Ireland international

Between 2001 and 2013 Symmons made 208 appearances and scored 31 goals for

. Symmons had represented Ireland at Under-16, Under-18 and Under-21 level before making her senior debut against

Wales Wales ( ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the England–Wales border, east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic ...

in 2001. She subsequently represented Ireland at six

s, during three

qualification campaigns and during three

qualification campaigns. On 3 May 2008 Symmons made her 100th senior appearance for Ireland against

Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...

at the 2008 Women's Field Hockey Olympic Qualifier. On 19 June 2011 she made her 150th senior appearance against

Azerbaijan Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a Boundaries between the continents, transcontinental and landlocked country at the boundary of West Asia and Eastern Europe. It is a part of the South Caucasus region and is bounded by ...

at the

2011 Women's Hockey Champions Challenge I The 2011 Women's Hockey Champions Challenge I was the fifth tournament of field hockey championship for women. It was held in Dublin, Ireland from June 18–26, 2011. Teams Eight teams participated in the tournament, they were: * * * * * * * * ...

. On 22 June 2013 she made her 200th senior appearance in a 3–2 defeat 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 ...

. On 24 August 2013 Symmons made her 208th and final appearance for Ireland against

Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...

at the

2013 Women's EuroHockey Nations Championship The 2013 Women's EuroHockey Nations Championship was the 11th edition of the women's field hockey championship organised by the European Hockey Federation. It was held from 17 August to 24 August 2013 in Boom, Belgium. Germany defeated England ...

. In 2015 Symmons was inducted into the

Hall of Fame. She was honoured during a half-time ceremony at the

2015 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship The 2015 Men's EuroHockey Championship was the 15th edition of the men's EuroHockey Nations Championship, the biennial international men's field hockey championship of Europe organised by the European Hockey Federation. It was held from 21 to 29 A ...

final. Symmons was Ireland's most capped women's field hockey international until she was overtaken by

Shirley McCay Shirley McCay (born 7 June 1988) 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. McCay has played in the Women's Irish Hockey League for Old Alex, ...

in 2015.

Coach

Symmons began coaching while still an active player. In 2008 she was teaching and coaching at Notre Dame Des Missions. In 2009 and 2010 she worked with the Leinster U-16 Girls squad. During the 2011–12 season she coached Three Rock Ladies II to promotion from the Leinster Women's Division Five to Division Four. She also guided them to a win in a Division Five/Six Cup title. During the 2012–13 season she coached a Glenanne Ladies team that included

Mary Waldron Mary Veronica Waldron (born 5 May 1984) is an Irish association football player and cricketer who has represented both the Republic of Ireland women's national football team and the Ireland women's cricket team. She has also stood as an umpire ...

in the Leinster Women's Division One. She also coached at St. Andrew's College. In 2014 Symmons was also a coach on the

RTÉ (; ; RTÉThe É in RTÉ is pronounced as an English E () and not an Irish É ()) is an Irish public service broadcaster. It both produces and broadcasts programmes on television, radio and online. The radio service began on 1 January 1926, ...

programme ''

Ireland's Fittest Family ''Ireland's Fittest Family'' is an Irish TV series where families from across Ireland compete in different adventure races and fitness competitions in an effort to win 15,000 euro. Since 2014 there have been eleven seasons of the programme an ...

''.

Cricket

Domestic teams

Symmons played

at Wesley College and for Pembroke. Her Pembroke teammates included

and

Kim Garth Kimberley Jennifer Garth (born 25 April 1996) is an Irish-Australian cricketer who currently plays for Victoria, Melbourne Stars and Australia. An all-rounder, she plays as a right-arm medium bowler and right-handed batter. Between 2010 and 20 ...

Ireland international

Symmons was selected to represent

at the

2010 ICC Women's Cricket Challenge The 2010 ICC Women's Cricket Challenge was an international women's cricket tournament held in South Africa during the International cricket in 2010–11, 2010–11 international season. South Africa national women's cricket team, South Africa, W ...

. She subsequently played four

One Day Internationals One Day International (ODI) is a format of cricket, played between two teams with international status, in which each team faces a fixed number of fifty overs, with the game lasting up to 7 hours. The World Cup, generally held every four year ...

and three

Twenty20 Internationals Twenty20 International (T20I) is a form of Twenty20 cricket, in which each team plays a single innings with a maximum of twenty overs. The matches are played between international teams recognized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). In ...

matches during the series. On 6 October 2010 she made her WODI debut against

Pakistan Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of over 241.5 million, having the Islam by country# ...

. On 14 October 2010 she made her WT20I against

Sri Lanka Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, also known historically as Ceylon, is an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, separated from the Indian subcontinent, ...

. On 16 October 2010 she scored 86 off 48 balls in a WT20I win 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 ...

FIH

Since September 2014 Symmons has worked as a Digital Manager for the

. She is based at the FIH headquarters in

Personal life

Symmons is

openly gay Coming out of the closet, often shortened to coming out, is a metaphor used to describe LGBTQ people's self-disclosure of their sexual orientation, romantic orientation, or gender identity. This is often framed and debated as a privacy issue, ...

. She came out to family members when she was 21. In October 2014 Symmons spoke publicly about being gay for the first time. She appeared on the

RTÉ2 RTÉ2 (formerly branded as RTÉ 2 from 1978–88, Network 2 from 1988–97, N2 from 1997–2004 and RTÉ Two from 2004–14) is an Irish free-to-air television channel operated by public service broadcaster RTÉ. It was launched on 2 Novemb ...

programme '' Second Captains Live'', taking part in a discussion on

homosexuality in modern sports The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other non-heterosexual or non-cisgender (LGBTQ+) community is prevalent within sports across the world. There have been several notable outspoken homosexual athletes, including John Curry, Billi ...

along with

Shane Horgan Shane Patrick Horgan (born 18 July 1978) is an Irish former rugby union player who played wing or centre for Leinster and Ireland. Early life Horgan was born on 18 July 1978 in Bellewstown, County Meath, to an Irish mother, Ursula (''née'' C ...

and

Donal Óg Cusack Donald is a Scottish masculine given name. It is derived from the Gaelic name ''Dòmhnall''.. This comes from the Proto-Celtic *''Dumno-ualos'' ("world-ruler" or "world-wielder"). The final -''d'' in ''Donald'' is partly derived from a misinterp ...

Honours

Field hockey

;

*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 ...

; Loreto * Irish Senior Cup **''Winners'': 2002, 2003, 2009–10 **''Runners Up'': 2011–12 *

**''Winners'': 2008–09 **''Runners Up'': 2011–12, 2012–13 *EuroHockey Club Champion's Challenge II **''Winners'': 2011 *All-Ireland Club Championship **''Runners Up'': 2008 ; Wesley College * Leinster Schoolgirls' Senior Cup **''Winners'': 1998

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Symmons, Nikki 1982 births Living people Ireland international women's field hockey players Irish female field hockey players Irish field hockey coaches Irish women cricketers Ireland women One Day International cricketers Ireland women Twenty20 International cricketers Irish lesbian sportswomen LGBTQ field hockey players LGBTQ cricketers People educated at Wesley College, Dublin Irish schoolteachers Cricketers from Dublin (city) Irish expatriate sportspeople in Germany Irish expatriate sportspeople in Switzerland Women's Irish Hockey League players Field hockey players from County Dublin Feldhockey Bundesliga (Women's field hockey) players Irish field hockey administrators