Dianne is known as one of the great players and leaders of the women’s game. Making her debut as a 20-year-old in August 1973 against England in London. Di had impressed selectors after an incredible run that saw her make every NSW state team for nine years between 1972 and 1981.

On the pitch, Di was a brilliant attacking centre halfback and a leader both on and off the field. Appointed captain in 1979, she led the team until 1981 including being named captain of the inaugural Olympics in 1980 when women’s hockey was on debut. Unfortunately, Di could never see out the Olympic honour after Australia boycotted the Moscow Games. However, one of the greatest honours came in 1979 when she captained the International Federations of Women’s Hockey Association team in Scotland, celebrating 100 years of hockey in Great Britain.

Di retired after captaining the Australian team at the World Cup in Argentina in 1981 having played 47 international matches, which was an impressive feat given how few international matches women played at the time. Following her great career, Di was awarded an Order of Australia medal in 1986 for Services to Hockey before being inducted into the Hockey NSW Hall of Champions in 2007, the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Hockey Australia Hall of Fame in 2008.

Her legacy lives on at the sports oval in Shellharbour, which is fondly named the Dianne Gorman Oval.