Nikita Parris

Nikita Parris is a professional England International and Arsenal WFC forward, known for holding the record as the all-time leading scorer in the Women’s Super League from 2018-20. Labelled as one of the best female footballers in the world by The Guardian, Nikita is a force to be reckoned with. With experience as a former member of Everton WFC, Manchester City WFC and in Olympic football, Nikia has a style of play like no other. Trained to the highest level, Nikita refuses to overlook adversity and works toward maximising success on and off the pitch. 

Sparking her interest in the sport, Nikita grew up playing football with boys until she aged 16. She created her own women’s team for the women in her community, overcoming her mother’s thoughts of ‘but girls don’t play football. There’s no team like the men. There’s no pathway.’ Aged 10, Nikita was scouted by the head coach of Everton, Mo Marley, and aged 14 she joined Everton’s Centre of Excellence. During her education, Nikita attended specialist sports college, Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School and continued her education at Liverpool John Moores University, earning a degree in sports development. Whilst maintaining her education, Nikita represented her country in the U17s, U19s, U20s and U23s as well as participating in the UEFA’s Women’s U19 Championship in 2013 and FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in 2014.

Nikita’s extensive career spans over experience in clubs, internationally and in the Olympics. She spent four years with Everton then parted ways on loan to Manchester City in the 2015 season, to later becoming permanent on the team in 2016. Whilst with Manchester City, Nikita was a member of the team that won the FA WSL Cup in 2016, FA Women’s Super League in 2016 and FA Women’s Cup in 2017. 

Making major moves in her career, Nikita signed with French team, Olympique Lyon in Division 1 for two seasons and later signed with Arsenal for the Women’s Super League in 2021. Nikita is a victorious forward, having been part of the teams which won the SheBelieves Cup of 2019, playing in all of Team GB’s matches in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and in the Arnold Clark Cup in 2022. Most recently, Nikita was part of the England Lionesses that was victorious in Euro 2022, playing as a forward alongside Ellen White and Beth Mead. Proving her potential, Nikita is a driven sportswoman with many accolades. Speaking on resilience, success and leadership, Nikita is an extraordinary speaker and figure in sports.