Almost every Saturday for the past 63 ­winters Witherspoon has been on the netball courts in Maitland.

This was again the case on the weekend, as the Kurri Kurri grandmother celebrated her 80th birthday playing in the familiar surroundings of Maitland Park and donning her beloved Bradmill uniform once more.

And while many things may have changed since Witherspoon played her first match in 1952, one thing remains the same – her love of the game.

“I look forward to it, and I hate to think I’ll miss out,” she said.

“I like coming off the court and feeling like I’ve done my best and enjoyed the game.

“If you don’t enjoy the game you shouldn’t be there.”

The anticipation of playing each week stays strong for Witherspoon, who took up the sport as a teenager and has missed only one season in a career spanning seven decades.

“I was about 16 or 17 living in Rutherford and a couple of girls I knew from school were working out at the mill [Bradmill] and asked me to play,” she said.

“I’ve been there ever since and I’ve only missed one season, round about 1955.”

Witherspoon has played for Bradmill the entire time, most of that spent in the A-grade competition for multiple premierships, including four straight between 1988 and 1991, and even more grand final appearances.

“I’ve only ever played with Bradmill,” she said.

“We played in A-grade for over 40 something years, I think we won 10 times and we were runner-up 11 times.

Witherspoon once played an A-grade grand final against her daughter, Christine, but has also played alongside her as well.

She has since taken part in a host of AR and B grade deciders.

Witherspoon, who has played every position from shooter to centre, said one of her highlights was representing both Maitland and Kurri Kurri.

And while she has done her bit off the court as well, from umpiring to administrative roles including vice-president and gear steward, her heart belongs on the court.

“I rather playing,” she said.

“I don’t mind doing the work and helping out, but I don’t like holding a position.”

Witherspoon said uniforms and the style of play were the main changes she had noticed.

“We have changed uniforms over time. We are mainly blue now with a bit of pink, but when we first started we were tan and lemon with box-pleated skirts nearly down to our knees,” she said.

“And I don’t like rough play; I think there is more contact these days.”

But what is the secret to her longevity?

“Just keep playing,” she said.

“I like exercising and we still train once a week.”

As for how many seasons Witherspoon has left in her, she said: “I hope I’m still going for a while yet.”

Just for the record, Witherspoon’s team won by four goals in a tightly contested B1-grade fixture on Saturday and she played the last quarter at wing defence.

She was presented with flowers and a birthday card by Maitland Netball Association officials before being taken out for dinner that night by teammates past and present.