But on Saturday the Hillsborough Sports Arena was host to the arena's now annual carnival and gala day, which saw the city's rugby enthusiasts welcoming the wider community from Hillsborough and beyond to help raise money for the development of the arena's activities.

"We've had between 800 and 1,000 people down today," said Zena Harrison, the arena's duty manager and one of the team who'd had to step in to organise the event with three weeks' notice after the previous organiser was compelled to pull out.

"In the long run we'd like the gala day to become like the Sheffield Show but here rather than in Graves Park," said the ambitious Zena.

The gala day has been running on and off since the arrival of the Hillsborough Hawks at the site in the early 1990s.

The idea is to promote the arena and the rugby team and make use of the site for the local community during the league close season between May and August, said Rob Burns from the Hillsborough Hawks.

"There are still some people who come down and say 'I didn't know you were here'," said Zena.

There was no danger of that on Saturday, with scores of families arriving to take part in the funfair games, the car boot sale, the sports activities and the horticultural show.

The rugby club and area staff have a remit to offer sports and other activities to local people throughout the year, said Rob Burns.

This includes seven junior rugby teams as well as a women's section and the open age team and regular pilates and yoga sessions. There's also a group offering sports and craft activities for people with disabilities, an over-50s group, walking groups and dog clubs.

"It's not just about fitness and sport, it's about looking after people in the local community," said Rob.

The team at the arena have been making use of a Sport England grant to offer this varied list of activities and they are now seeking charity status so they can apply for more funding for the future. They're also looking for sponsorship for their rugby teams and other work.

Rugby is still popular, says Rob, despite the lull in the national team's fortunes.

"I'd say interest has never been stronger," said Rob. The Hawks work closely with the Sheffield Eagles and several players have recently moved on to professional terms with the larger club, after starting as youngsters with the Hawks.

The Hawks junior teams are always recruiting, for players as well as coaches and other helpers, and the women's team is also now recruiting again after several players left for university.

Next season the Hawks will see their 20th anniversary and plans are under way for a year of celebration.

The Hillsborough Arena will continue to see pilates and wheelchair boccia as well as rugby and Rob says he'd also like stronger links with another sporting club on the other side of Hillsborough Park.

"Even though they like to play with some kind of round ball, I hear."

lSee www.hillsboroughhawks.co.uk or ring Hillsborough Sports Arena on Sheffield 2335310.



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