Inspirational Acacia keeps achieving goal after goal

Acacia Seward has defied the odds to become a true sporting superstar just a year after the terrorist attack that threatened to take it all away from her.

On May 22 last year, Manchester Arena was packed with young children and families thrilled at the chance to see pop star Ariana Grande perform live.

However, the evening took a tragic turn when 22-year-old Salman Abedi detonated a homemade bomb in the arena, leaving 23 dead and 139 injured.

The incident was not only the deadliest terror attack, but also the first suicide bombing in Britain since the July 2005 London bombings.  

Amongst those left wounded by the deadly blast was 11-year-old Oldhamer Acacia.

Her life-threatening injuries demanded that she undergo two operations to remove the shrapnel from both legs and repair a damaged artery.

Struggling to walk in the immediate aftermath, Acacia was told that she may never be able to dance, do gymnastics or play her beloved netball again.

But Acacia has not let that limit her.

She has not only returned to sport, but is now a force to be reckoned with, already claiming a number of medals at a regional level.

Now, she is a nominee for Sportsperson of the Year in the Oldham Sports Awards.

Kimberley Woodward, one of Acacia’s coaches at Eclipse Gymnastics Club, is in awe of Acacia’s determinaton.

Kimberley said: “We are so immensely proud of Acacia and her can-do attitude.

“Acacia is an inspiration to everyone young and old.

"She has taught us to never let anyone stand in your way of achieving your goals.”

It isn’t all plain sailing for the young sportswoman, however.

The emotional and physical toll of the ordeal still affects Acacia, as Kimberley told us: “There are still dark days. She is frightened of loud bangs and at times still struggles to understand why: why me? Why that night? Why that concert?

“She will always carry the physical scars of that night; her legs ache and her knees hurt sometimes when working her flexibility and strength - but she does not let this stop her.

"Acacia continues to work hard every session with her squad and partners.”

On September 30, Acacia will be at a Sixer competition in Eclipse Gymnastics Club where she hopes to take home more medals to be added to her growing collection.

The Oldham Sports awards presentation evening takes place on Friday week, September 21.

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