Nikki Symmons Announced as Sportswoman of the Month for June

International hockey star Nikki Symmons has today been named The Irish Times / Irish Sports Council 'Sportswoman of the Month' for June 2013.

The 30 year old, who plays for Loreto Hockey Club was capped for the 200th time by Ireland in June. She reached the milestone in the first game of a three match international series against Canada in UCD and is the first player to reach the landmark of 200 international caps, the first of which was received in 2001 when she made he debut at the age of 18 against Wales.

Ms Symmons is currently dividing her time between the national team and her role as a mentor, alongside Eddie O'Sullivan, Davy Fitzgerald and Kenny Egan, in a new RTE series, 'Ireland's Fittest Family', which will air in September.

This is her first time to win a Sportswoman award and she will battle it out against the other monthly winners in December 2013 for the overall Sportswoman of the year title.

The accolade of winning the Irish Times/Irish Sports Council 'Sportswoman of the Month' means Nikki will be the sixth of 12 sportswomen to be in the running for the prestigious title of 'Sportswoman of the Year' at an awards ceremony in December 2013.