The Napier Sunhawks Masters team's record is just as impressive as the club championship-winning feats of the 1970s. Seven gold medals, one silver and a bronze have been won by the Sunhawks during trips to the Wanganui Masters with Thomason on board.
"I missed the first trip to Wanganui because I was too young. They won silver that year. We've also won gold at the Dunedin Masters and from two trips to the Gold Coast Masters we've returned home with one silver," Thomason recalls.
"We're going back to the Gold Coast again in October and our big long-term goal is the World Masters Games in Auckland in 2017 where we will compete in the 55-plus age group. So you're likely to see us at those pre-match functions for a few more years yet," Thomason says referring to functions prior to Hawke's Bay Magpies ITM Cup rugby games where the Sunhawks men and women fundraise by serving the meals and drinks.
Thomason last played for a Hawke's Bay division one rep team in 2002, 37 years after her debut in the big time. In 1990 she won the national division three player-of-the-year award.
"Those individual awards were bonuses. I just wanted to go out and play and was always a believer in the 'no I in team' philosophy," she says.
In 1987 Thomason went to Aussie to play. Ironically the team she ended up playing for was The Andrews Sisters.
"Some of them were sisters but they weren't related to me," she laughs.
Along with hubby Bryan, a keen sports fanatic who these days is club manager of the Hawke's Bay Lawn Tennis and Squash Club, Thomason produced twins Ben and Sarah in 1992. It was no surprise they became sports buffs like their parents with Ben into rugby and Sarah into softball, netball and basketball.
After coaching teams her children were involved with and others Thomason took up basketball refereeing.
"I'm Donnette's oldest referee," she says referring to one of her former teammates and former international ref, Donnette Daly, who is a referees mentor.
"I referee up to secondary school level but I make sure I don't get allocated any NGHS games because I work here."
While the 26 years Thomason has spent as a groundsman have helped keep her fit for basketball another key has been regular cycle rides with former NGHS principal Clare Hague. These admirable fitness levels didn't stop Thomason from having a brain haemorrhage in 2003.
"Fortunately I had it in May so it didn't interfere with any of our masters tournaments. I go down to Wellington regularly for check-ups so we keep on top of it."
One of Thomason's nicknames during her prime was "Elbows." She was happy to explain why and with a smile.
"Elbows relates to my rebounding technique. I don't feel them, I just give them ... but not on purpose."
We couldn't leave Thomason without getting her to name her "Elbows Selection" - a team who she regards as the best players she played alongside. She rattled it off with ease as the starting five still takes the court today at masters tournaments.
It consists of former New Zealand rep and Hawke's Bay Sports Hall of Famer Di Robertson at point guard, Jo Richards, Kathie Dimock, Lyn Pugh and Elbows. Her bench is Wendy Timu, Jenny Mather, Donnette Daly, Kirstin Daly, Cheleme Smiler, Carley Glock and Chris O'Dwyer.
"I would have Ed Donohue III and Les Glock as co-coaches. They were fantastic coaches and fantastic blokes," Thomason adds before the school bell signals her back to work.
