Lynette Blinkhorn celebrates birthday and love for hockey

And after celebrating her 80th birthday with family, friends, and teammates at Pioneer Park on Saturday she confirmed there was no plans to stop playing any time soon.

A hugely popular figure within Dubbo hockey, 'Blinky' was the centre of attention on Saturday.

Blinkorn has played hockey in Dubbo for more than three decades, having previously spent time playing in Walcha and Armidale after getting into the sport as a high school student in Newcastle.

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It's not the representative honours or victories she mentions as the highlights, as its the chance to simply have fun with friends that is the most special.

"I've always played a lot of sport and I've just enjoyed it and the company of the girls I've played with," she said.

"The team spirit. It really does make it enjoyable, the people you play with. It doesn't really matter if you win or lose, as long as you enjoy it with the people you play with.

"I really enjoy it and as long as I enjoy it and stay fit I'll keep playing."

Some of the players Blinkhorn was playing with 34 years ago when she first arrived in Dubbo remain her teammates today.

They were among those at Pioneer Park on Saturday, wearing their 'Blinky wigs' and helping celebrate the occasion.

"It's really special for me for them to think so much of me," she said.

Blinkhorn, who has played a huge amount of various veterans representative tournaments, admitted she's been extremely lucky during her career as there's been minimal injuries.

It's allowed her to keep playing and keep active, which has been great for her fitness levels and also her mental wellbeing.

Blinkhorn pointed to the nature of team sport and the spirit within squads as something special.

"I think you've got the support of your team and fellow players," she said.

"For your mental health it does a world of good and you're active. Whether you win or lose, it doesn't matter as long as you enjoy it."

Blinkhorn also used Saturday as a chance to look back at how much hockey has changed in Dubbo.

When she began matches were played on grass at the Riverbank Ovals and there was a huge amount of teams taking part each week.

The development of the Pioneer Park complex was a huge boost for the game but Blinkhorn admitted it had been disappointing to see player numbers drop off as time has gone on.

That could be changing though, with a new association breathing life into the sport at the moment.

President Tracie Hardie-Jones and the committee has been hard at work in recent months and the signs are already looking positive.

"Hopefully we might start to be on the way up again," Blinkorn said.

"It's started to pick-up, which is really good, and hopefully we can get more to play.

"Hopefully it can continue and hopefully I can continue as well."

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