The commitment of staff at Hillsborough Leisure Centre led to the centre winning the Venue of the Year Award, with general manager Richard Apps also picking up the Manager of the Year award, at the recent Sheffield International Venues (SIV) conference.

Praising the hard work and dedication of staff in helping to secure the accolade, Apps said: “Every department at Hillsborough has a crucial role in delivering and underpinning the services we provide.

“The number and diversity of activities and events we run means there is always a challenge, but the ‘can do’ attitude and commitment of the staff see us through every time.”

Apps was nominated as Manager of the Year by colleagues who said he was a role model to which to aspire.

Other awards presented at the ceremony included Employee of the Year Debbie Colley, children’s activity co-ordinator at Concord Sports Centre; Innovator of the Year, SIV energy manager David Hall; and Business Partner of the Year, which went to Sheffield City Council’s Major Sports Events Unit.