Nicol served as assistant coach for the VBSM at the Beijing Olympics, and then at the Rio Olympics in 2016. He was also an assistant coach for the VBS Women at the London Olympics in 2012.

In 2017 Nicol took on the challenge of a newly created role as the Athlete Pathway Manager. In this role he was successful in laying the foundations for a national talent development system for hockey in New Zealand for which HNZ are now reaping the benefits. Nicol left this position to pursue other opportunities in 2019.

In addition to his massive contribution to hockey in NZ, Nicol also played hockey at the highest level for South Africa – representing them at the 1996 and 2004 Olympics while amassing 200 caps and scoring a record 244 goals.