[1][2] Her parents were Phil and Dorothy Fathers, who moved from Auckland to Paeroa after Aitken had children; that way she could continue with the travel required for her netball coaching career.

[3] A former goal-attack, Aitken represented New Zealand in the 1979 World Netball Championships in Trinidad and Tobago, playing two warm-up games and then in one match against Ireland.

[5] In late 2011, she retired as coach of the national team – and was later replaced by assistant Waimarama Taumaunu.

[3] In the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours, Aitken was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to netball, alongside Silver Ferns captain Casey Williams.

[8] In the 2022 Queen's Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours, Aitken was promoted to Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to netball.