YORK teenager Antonia Bunyan starred at the IBSA Goalball World Youth Championships to help Great Britain Women Under-19s win bronze.

Getting underway against the hosts and reigning champions, Great Britain delivered a professional and composed performance to beat Australia 3-1, Bunyan, 19, netting an impressive hat-trick.

Great Britain’s perfect start continued against South Korea. Braces for Meme Robertson and Bunyan, as well as a goal from Megan Smithson-Booth, gave the team a 5-3 victory.

With a semi-final place already secured, Great Britain narrowly lost out to Brazil in the penultimate group game before emphatically bouncing back to hammer Thailand 12-3. Goals came from Bunyan (7), Chelsea Hudson (4) and a first international strike for Nansi Hidrej.

The semi-final was a repeat of the opening fixture - though Great Britain were unable to replicate the result, losing 4-3 to Australia in a tense and hard-fought encounter.

Great Britain finished off the campaign with a brilliant performance in the bronze medal match against South Korea. Bunyan (6), Chelsea Hudson (3) and Megan Smithson-Booth all found the net to secure a 10-4 win and a spot on the podium.

After the tournament, head coach Aaron Ford said: “We are incredibly proud of the battling performances from this young team throughout the competition.

“It was unfortunate that we couldn’t quite make it to the final for a shot at the gold, but the girls have shown how immensely talented they are and the significant potential they possess. Each member of the squad demonstrated great levels of maturity on and off the court.”

Faye Dale, national talent lead for Goalball UK, said: “Goalball UK has been extremely proactive with its talent pathway, which gives these excellent young athletes the tools and experiences to compete at the highest level.

“Having the opportunity to perform at the World Youth Championships against some of the best young goalball players from across the world, and take home a bronze medal, is a major milestone for any player that wants to reach the pinnacle of the sport.”