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MEET THE PRESIDENT – MAS 2014 ALUMNA, NIKKI SYMMONS

MEET THE PRESIDENT – MAS 2014 ALUMNA, NIKKI SYMMONS

The AISTS Alumni is now in its 16th year and will reach 500+ members at the end of this academic year. Its strong tradition and vision to support, foster and enable excellence among members continues and this year we saw the election of a new president – former athlete and Digital Manager at the International Federation of Hockey, Ms Nikki Symmons.

Nikki graduated from the class of 2014, and previous to her joining AISTS she was an international field hockey player for Ireland, holding the highest record of 200+ games for her country. She has also played cricket for Ireland and when Nikki wasn’t out on the field she was teaching at a private school in Dublin. We caught up with Nikki last week and asked her a few questions.

AISTS – So before moving to Switzerland you were an international athlete. What was life like for you back then?

Nikki – Life was very different then. I was an athlete with a full-time job as a teacher. It was a bit of a crazy lifestyle, non-stop, but I loved it. Gym in the morning, work in the day and training in the evening. I had one major goal, to qualify for the Olympic Games. I dedicated my career to achieving this goal but unfortunately we didn’t quite make it. I would never give any of the years I spent training back, I enjoyed every moment, and did it really for the love of the game.

Nikki played 208 games for Ireland

AISTS – Then you made the decision to apply for AISTS and take the next step? What was your inspiration to do this? 

Nikki – I was told about the course by my partner who was working in Switzerland. There was some convincing to do as I had not studied in such a long time, but I also knew I had so much more to give to sport.

“Ultimately the deciding point [to apply at AISTS] was what can I do to help sport after my career as an athlete.”

AISTS – What is your first memory of AISTS?

Nikki – I arrived at Lausanne in September 2013, to be with my partner. The class of 2014 had already started an AISTS Facebook group to get to know each other and in fact, I met three of my fellow classmates, Liz Fulton, Maria Ntanou and David Kappeler in November, prior to commencing classes in January, at an AISTS event “Smart Textile Opportunities for Sport” at the EPFL Rolex Learning Centre. This was my first memory and I had an amazing feeling about Lausanne and the AISTS from then on.

“I knew it was going to be one of the best decisions I had made in my life.”

Nikki receiving her AISTS MAS Diploma, February 2015


AISTS – Briefly summarise your experience since graduating from AISTS, working at the FIH and now leading to your role as the AISTS Alumni president.

Nikki – I started at the FIH on a small 4 month contract to complete my MAS. I am not going to lie, it was difficult to be working in hockey after a bad enough ‘breakup’ with the sport. I got on with it, determined as I am, and in fact the best thing to do was to meet it head on. And look, I am still there now. I work in the fastest paced area in sport at the moment, digital, and while I was thrown in at the deep end I have managed to use my skills acquired as an athlete to stick at it. When I left the AISTS I concentrated a lot of my time on my career in sport as I had not worked in the business before, so I needed that. Therefore the AISTS took a backseat, for example being involved in the Alumni Committee. After two years, I felt the urge to get back to being involved and give back to the amazing MAS I had been a part of. So I applied to be on the committee. I was voted onto the committee by a good margin of votes and subsequently voted in by the committee members as the AISTS Alumni President.

“I am extremely proud of this and look forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”

AISTS – What has surprised you the most about working with an international sports federation?

Nikki – I think it had to be the amount of work that goes into the events. All departments getting stuck in and working together and as many federations are small you find yourself working on many different projects to ensure the success of the events, along with the day to day work.

Nikki at the FIH Congress in Dubai, 2016


AISTS – How has life changed for you now? 

Nikki – Well, I think it was one of the best decisions I made to be honest. Moving to Switzerland to do the AISTS MAS in Sport Administration, followed by staying here and creating a new life for myself. Life is very different but I am very happy with my decision to go for it.

AISTS – As a female leader now in the sports industry, what are your goals for the future? 

Nikki – My goals are different but almost the same as when I was an athlete. I always endeavoured to promote sport in general and females in the sport since I was an athlete. Continuing to be a role model is a key goal for me since retiring as an athlete, but in a new way.

“Ensuring females are empowered and supported to be involved not only just in sport, but in leadership roles.”

Nikki giving her first speech as President at the Class of 2016 Graduation Ceremony, February 2017


AISTS – What would your words of wisdom be to someone looking to follow your footsteps and get into the sports industry and make a difference?

Nikki – Don’t be afraid to make the big and often difficult and daunting decisions, and be the difference.

Be strong, but humble, and always stay true to yourself.

Nikki will chair the Alumni Committee for the next two years and we look forward to all that she has to offer. For more information on the AISTS Alumni Committee click here